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