Activity Detail
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Murder in the First Degree - The Death of Mr. Spud - TI-83
 


Activity Overview

Students model the process of cooling and use a cooling curve to simulate a forensic scenario to predict the time of death. They use technology to find an exponential plot.

Before the Activity

  • Set up the calculator for data collection using the procedure described in the attached Appendix PDF file
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 157 - 164 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Insert a thermometer inside a hot potato and place the potato in cold water
  • Record the temperature
  • Enter the time and the temperature as lists
  • Set up a scatter plot and model the data by graphing a line of best fit using exponential regression
  • Record the temperature of another hot potato that has been cooled
  • Use the graph to determine the time when the potato was removed from the hot water
  • Understand how forensic study of body temperature of a corpse facilitates calculation of the time of death

    		After the Activity

    		Students will complete the Data Collection and Analysis page and answer questions listed on it.

    Review student results:
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




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    view textbook alignment

    Subject Area:
    Science : Forensics : Time of death (rate of decay)
    Math : Algebra I : Exponential Functions

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
     

    Other:
    This is Activity 12 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Activities for Algebra with the TI-83 Plus.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Small potato
  • Pot with boiling water
  • Celsius thermometer


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