Breaking Up Over Model Bridges
9-12
- Balsa wood sticks 1/8" x 1/8"
- Masses (200g. and 1,000g.)
- Fishing line
- Meter stick
- Scissors
Breaking Up Over Model Bridges
The learning objective of this activity is to introduce the concept of reciprocal functions having the form: xy = k or y = f(x) = k/x, where k is a constant and x and y are variables.
In Part I, twelve one inch paper squares arranged in various rectangles illustrate that length x width = 12 square inches. In Part II an experimental load constant is determined for a balsa wood cantilever: mass x failure length = k.
The TI-83/84 graphing calculator is used to display the three representations.
Read the attached lesson plan, review the references, and gather the materials.
A student worksheet is provided in the attached lesson plan along with teacher notes and calculator screens to illustrate each step.
An extension activity, suitable for a statistics class, and a suggestion for an independent study project are included in the teacher notes.
Before the Activity Files
9-12
- Balsa wood sticks 1/8" x 1/8"
- Masses (200g. and 1,000g.)
- Fishing line
- Meter stick
- Scissors
Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.