Activity Detail
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Hooke's Law
 


Activity Overview

Students study Hooke's Law. They understand that stretch on a spring is directly proportional to the force applied to the end of the string. Students observe a spring being stretched as candies are added to a cup attached to the spring. They learn to graph scatter plots, analyze linear function, calculate and model slope.

Before the Activity

  • Use TI Connect™ to download Vernier EasyData™ application
  • Connect the calculator to the CBR 2™
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 49 - 58 from the attached PDF file for the class
  • Set up the calculator for data collection
  • Place the meter stick on the back of two chairs and hang the spring from the stick
  • Hang the cup from the spring and position the CBR under the cup

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Record the distance from the bottom of the cup to the CBR
  • Add 3 candies and record the new distance
  • For every trial, add 3 more candies and measure distance
  • Continue for a total of 10 trials
  • Enter the data for the number of candies and the distance to the floor as lists
  • Graph the data points and trace the plot
  • Identify that the number of candies is the independent variable and distance is the dependent variable
  • Calculate the difference in the distance between two trials, divide this value by 3, and find the average of these values to determine the slope
  • Use the slope and the Y-intercept value to find the regression equation
  • Compare this equation with the one found by the calculator
  • Understand that as the number of candies increases, the distance to the floor decreases

    		After the Activity

  • Students realize that the force applied on the spring increases with the number of candy added to the cup increases
  • They analyze the results and answer the case analysis questions on the student worksheet
  • 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 : Physics : Dynamics
    Math : Algebra I : Linear Equations and Functions

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

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

    Apps:
    EasyData™

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    CBR™/CBR 2™, TI Connectivity Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables

    Other:
    This is Activity 7 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    EasyData Activities: Modeling Algebraic Functions with Data Collection Activities.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Small spring cut in half
  • Empty plastic cups
  • Two large paper clips or string
  • Meter stick
  • Yard stick
  • 30 Candies


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