Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to record the motion data for a plate bouncing at the end of a light spring, and analyze the data to determine frequency, period and amplitude. They will then find an appropriate model for the resulting data set.
Before the Activity
Connect the motion detector to the DIG/SONIC port of the CBL 2™ or the 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 265 - 275 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages 265 - 275 to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Zero the motion detector and suspend the spring and its plate over it
Allow the spring to oscillate up and down and begin data collection
Observe the graph of distance versus time graph
Compare the data to the model equation
After the Activity
Students' will analyze their data and fill in the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer questions listed in it.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary