Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use a force sensor to measure the weight of a water filled funnel as it drains. They analyze the weight versus time data and describe it using concepts of slope and intercepts of a linear function.
Before the Activity
Connect the force sensor to Channel 1 on the CBL 2™ or 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 29 - 36 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Connect the force sensor to the funnel
Block the funnel hole with a finger and fill it with water
Begin data collection when the water in the funnel is allowed to drain gradually
Examine the graph of weight versus time
Calculate the slope and intercept information using any two data points and determine the equation
Do a linear regression on all the data points and determine the regression line equation
Compare the two equations
Interpret what the slope represents
After the Activity
Students' will analyze data, fill in the Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet, 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