Activity Detail
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Need for Speed - Adventure 2
 


Activity Overview

Students use a radio controlled car and weights to record the time of each run and determine velocity. They represent motion graphically and determine the relationship between speed, time, and weight. Students create and interpret scatter plots, and determine the relationship between variables.

Before the Activity

  • Use a tape and mark the Start line, measure 120 in. and mark the time Start line
  • From the time Start line measure 180 in. and mark the time Finish line
  • Set up the TI-Navigator™  system
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 17 - 18 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Adventure procedures:
    Collect Data:
  • Have three timers time each test run
  • Measure the time taken for the car to cover the distance between the time Start line and the time Finish line
  • Vary amount of weight for each run, record weight and time data
  • Calculate average time of each run
  • Calculate and record speed of each run
  • Create scatter plots of weight vs. time and weight vs. speed data and identify the dependent and independent variables
  • Determine the relationship between weight and time; weight and speed
  • Understand as weight increased, time increased and the speed decreased
  • Manually draw a trend line
  • Pick a weight not tried and test it to see if it attains the speed predicted with the model


    • TI-Navigator activity:
  • Load the scatplot1.act, scatplot2.act, and scatplot3.act activity settings files
  • Use the Activity Center have students identify where the trend line cuts the x-axis

    		After the Activity

    		Students analyze the results and answer the questions in the worksheet

    Review student results:
  • Discuss dependent and independent variables, shape of scatter plots, and explain how trend lines predict what should happen in real-life
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




    view standards alignment
    view textbook alignment

    Subject Area:
    Math : Math General : General
    Science : Physical Science : Momentum

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    45 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™, TI-Navigator™

    Apps:
     

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    TI Connectivity Cable

    Other:
    This is Adventure 2 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Adventures in Data Collection with TI-73 Explorer™.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Radio controlled car
  • Stop watches (3)
  • Tape
  • Scale


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