Activity Overview
In this activity, students use a motion detector to collect "linear" motion data and examine the relationship between a physical action and a mathematical and/or graphic model of that action. The students will use the "eyeball" method to find the mathematical model.
Before the Activity
Install the Transformation Graphing application on the students' graphing calculators using one of these two methods:
TI Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable, and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
TI-Navigator™ "send to class" feature
Connect the CBR 2™ to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit link cable
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 11 - 16 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Place the CBR on a table
Set up the Data Logger App to record one reading every 0.1 second for 6 seconds
Walk away from the CBR at a constant rate
Study the distance versus time graph
Set up an unconnected scatter plot of the data
Activate the Transformation Graphing application and use the slope-intercept equation to find the values of A and B that will form a line that models the data
Determine the slope, write the equation of the line which best fits the data
Understand the slope of the line represents the speed of the walker
In a second trial, students try to walk and duplicate the model graph
Use piecewise function to model the data
In a third trial, students try to walk and match the graph with a negative slope
In each trial, students identify how the direction and speed of motion affects the distance versus time plot
After the Activity
Students will complete the Student Worksheet and answer questions listed on it.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary