Activities

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- Lesson Files
- Teacher Notes Appendix B PDF
- Teacher Notes Appendix A PDF
- Teacher Notes PDF
Alignment
- Standards Alignment
- Textbook Alignment
Subject Area
- Maths: Algebra I: Data Analysis
- Science: Physics: Kinematics
- Maths: Algebra II: Data Analysis
- Maths: Statistics: Data Analysis
- Science: Forensics: Data Analysis
Author

Texas Instruments
Level

9-12
Activity Time

60 Minutes
Device
- TI-83 Plus Family
- TI-84 Plus
- TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
- TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition
- TI-84 Plus CE
Software

TI Connect™
TI Connect™ CE
Accessories

Sensor - Dual Range Force
TI Connectivity Cable
Unit-to-Unit link cables
Other Materials
- Vernier EasyLink
- Hall's carriage or heavy toy car
- Thread, string, or yarn
- Rubber bands (for a Hall's carriage) or tissue (for a toy car)
- Meter stick or metric tape measure
- C-clamp or duct tape
- Chalk or tape
- Flat, smooth surface (floor or table)
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Forensics Case 13 - Life in the Fast Lane: Using skid marks to determine vehicle speed

Activity Overview

Students determine the coefficient of friction between a vehicle and a road surface. They use the length of the skidding distance to determine the speed of a vehicle before its brakes were applied. Students convert between SI units and Imperial units and rearrange equations to solve for different variables.

Key Steps

Simulating a skidding car, students pull a non-rolling toy car with a dual-range force sensor at a constant velocity. From the mean of the data, students can calculate the coefficient of friction between the tires and the road. The length of the skid can be used to calculate the speed of the vehicle that was involved in the hit-and-run accident.
Ability to convert units and rearrange equations is necessary for this activity. Students explore the relationship between speed and stopping distance. Using formulas in lists helps students be able to see the trends and patterns.

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Lesson Files

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Other Materials

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Forensics Case 13 - Life in the Fast Lane: Using skid marks to determine vehicle speed

Activity Overview

Key Steps

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