Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use a force sensor and a motion detector to study the relationship between the force applied to a rubber band and the distance to which it stretches. They will then model force versus strech data with a proportional relationship.
Before the Activity
- Connect the force sensor to Channel 1 on the CBL 2™ or Vernier LabPro®
- Connect the motion detector to the DIG/SONIC port of the CBL 2 or the DIG/SONIC 1 port of the 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 81 - 88 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Prepare the force sensor and motion detector for data collection
Stretch and relax the rubber band
Use the force sensor and measure the force of the pull
Use the motion detector and record the amount the rubber band is stretched
Plot graphs of force versus time and distance versus time
Graph force versus distance
Plot the line of proportionality with different values for the slope and find the line that provides a good fit for the data
Calculate the value of the slope from the equation and compare the values
Do a linear regression on all the data points and determine the regression line equation
After the Activity
Students' will fill in the Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet and answer the questions listed in it.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary