Match Graph
Students will move in relation to the Motion Sensor as they attempt to closely follow a path that has been graphed for them by the computer.
PASPORT Motion Sensor
(PS-2103)
ScienceWorkshop Motion Sensor (CI-6742)
Lab Summary
Students will move in relation to the Motion Sensor as they attempt to closely follow a path that has been graphed for them by the computer.
Do you remember the classic story of the race between the tortoise and the hare? How could you best describe the motion of the over-confident hare compared to the slow, plodding tortoise? Even if you did not watch the two animals race, you can "see"a visual picture of how they moved by studying a graph of their motion. Try to imagine creating a Position vs. Time graph for each animal. How would the graphs be different? Each of them traveled along the same course, but where the tortoise moved at the same steady rate (constant average speed), the hare had a different strategy. On a Position vs. Time graph, what would you see for the times the hare napped? (Hint: was he moving when he napped?) What kind of line would you see on the graph at the times the hare jumped up and nervously sped off to catch the tortoise? What about the tortoise -- would a graph of his motion change over time (during the course of the race)? Scientists often use this kind of tool in order to better understand how objects moved -- for example, NASA might graph the position of a rocket each second after it is launched toward space. Can you think of other situations where a graph might be helpful for understanding how an object moved?
Hypothesize: In this experiment, YOU will be the moving object, and your distance from the Motion Sensor (starting point) will be recorded by the computer. How will you need to move in order to match the graph displayed on the screen? Before beginning each data run, describe how you plan to move to your lab partners.
Published: October 2002
Downloads
- Match Graph - PASPORT (613 KB, .zip)
Includes experiment setup, procedures and DataStudio files
- Match Graph - ScienceWorkshop (604 KB, .zip)
Includes experiment setup, procedures and DataStudio files
Here's What You Need
U.S. Educator prices shown.
Probeware (PASPORT System)
PASPORT Motion Sensor (PS-2103A) - $80
Accurately measures position, velocity, and acceleration of a target. For use with PASPORT Interfaces.
Xplorer GLX (PS-2002) - $349
The Xplorer GLX is a data collection, graphing, and analysis tool designed for science students and educators.
Probeware (ScienceWorkshop System)
Motion Sensor II (CI-6742A) - $95
Accurately measures position, velocity, and acceleration of a target.
750 Interface, USB (CI-7650) - $679
The 750 Interface allows students to measure force, temperature, pressure, angular velocity, acceleration, current, and magnetic field with a built-in function generator and oscilloscope mode.
