Education Technology


Vernier - Air Resistance

Activity Overview

Students use the Vernier Motion Detector to measure the effect of air resistance on falling objects. They determine how air resistance and mass affect the terminal velocity of a falling object and then choose a force model that fits the data.

Key Steps

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    Students set up a time graph experiment modeling air resistance by placing the motion detector on the floor.

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    Students then start the data collection as they drop coffee filters on top of the motion detector creating distance vs time graphs.