Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will record motion data for a walker and describe segments of the walker's motion using linear function. They will model the motion data using a piece-wise continuous function assembled from linear functions.
Before the Activity
Connect the motion detector to DIG/SONIC port of the CBL 2™ or DIG/SONIC 1 port of the Vernier LabPro®
Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 49 - 56 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Set up the motion detector on a table, at a height of about 1.2 m from the ground
Stand still for 4 seconds, walk away at a constant rate, turn and walk toward the motion detector and collect data
Examine the graph of distance versus time
Calculate the slope and write a linear equation for each section of the graph
Assemble the functions into one expression
After the Activity
Students' will examine the data and fill in the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer the questions listed in it.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary