Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to measure how the position of a cart on a ramp changes with time. They will then determine a parabolic model for the position data using the intercepts.
Before the Activity
Connect the motion detector to the DIG/SONIC port on the CBL 2™ or the DIG/SONIC 1 port of theVernier 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 91 - 98 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Place the motion detector on top of an inclined board
Roll the cart up the ramp so the cart does not get close to the detector
Record data and examine the distance versus time graph
Trace the parabola and record the intercepts in the Data sheet
Determine the equation for the parabola
Perform a quadratic regression and determine the regression line equation and its parameters
After the Activity
Students' will complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet and answer questions listed in it.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary