Activity Detail

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Forensics Case 2
Bouncing Back: Using ground-penetrating radar to locate buried objects
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students gather data to explore the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to find buried materials. They use a range finder to detect the presence of an object and to distinguish between different-shaped objects. They find the buried car and help solve a case.

Before the Activity

  • Use TI Connect™ to download Vernier EasyData™ application
  • Attach the USB cable to CBR 2™ and connect it to the calculator
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 12 - 16 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • Print sample data and student work pages


  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
    Collecting Data:
  • Set up the CBR 2 to collect one data point every 0.05 seconds for 200 seconds
  • Place a block of wood or a small box on a desk making sure that there is nothing else on the surface
  • .
  • Hold the CBR 2 about a meter above the desktop and toward one end of the desk with the light-gray part of the detector facing the desk
  • Slowly move the motion detector, at a constant height above the desktop, from one end of the desk to the other end at constant speed
  • Examine the graph formed for each shape


  • To find the location and shape of the hidden object:
  • Without looking inside the box, place the CBR 2 on the top edge of the box and move the detector at a constant speed and constant height from one end to the other end in 10 seconds
  • Sketch the display shown on the screen into the Evidence Record and use it to identify the shape of the object
  • Find the site where the car is buried, and its shape


    After the Activity

    Students analyze the results and answer the case analysis questions.

    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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    Subject Area:
    Math : Math General : General
    Science : Forensics : Data Analysis

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

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

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
    TI Connectivity Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables

    Other:
    This is Activity 2 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Forensics: Connecting Science Investigations with TI Data Collection Activities.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Small box or block of wood
  • Several large boxes, each containing an unknown object


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