Activity Overview
Students determine the relationship between the stretch of a spring and the number of weights in a cup suspended from the spring. They find the Y-value of a function if the X-value is provided. They use technology to plot a set of ordered pairs and to find a best fit line.
Before the Activity
Place the slinky on the center of a meter stick at a certain height above the floor, and hang the cup on the slinky
Set up the calculator for data collection using the procedure described in the attached Appendix PDF file
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 123 - 134 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the activity procedures:
Measure and record the distance from the cup to the floor
Add 5 marbles (or any small object) to the cup and measure and record the distance from the cup to the floor
Continue adding marbles in increments of five and record data
Enter the number of objects and the distance as a list
Set up a scatter plot and find the equation for the number of objects versus the length of the slinky
Find the y-intercept, and determine the slope
Find a best fit line, graph it, and record its slope
Compare the stretch for different objects
Determine the stretch for a given number of the same objects, and the number of objects given the stretch
After the Activity
Students will complete the Data Collection and Analysis page 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