PASCO
MAIN PROCEDURE
   
In this activity, students use their experimental data to analyze the physics of playground equipment.

 

Qty. Item or Product Product Number
1 Xplorer Datalogger or Xplorer GLX PS-2000, PS-2002
1 3-Axis Acceleration Altimeter Sensor PS-2136
1 Xplorer Vest PS-2520


    1. Make any necessary measurements. For example, for a merry-go-round find the radius; for a swing find the length.

    2. Press the ON button on the Xplorer.

    3. Before your ride begins, press and hold the START/STOP button on the Xplorer for 3 seconds.

      NOTE: If you prefer a "sticky start" by holding down the START/STOP button for 3 seconds, you must perform a "sticky stop" to end data recording.

    4. When your ride is over, press and hold the START/STOP button on the Xplorer for 3 seconds. For a merry-go-round, change the radius and repeat steps 1-4. For a swing, if possible, change the length and repeat steps 1-4.

    1. Turn on your computer.

    2. Connect the Xplorer to your computer using the USB cable.

    3. When prompted press the "Retrieve" button on the computer
    See Data Analysis for DataStudio

    Merry-Go-Round:
    1. Draw a picture of your experiment. Include a vector diagram of the velocity, acceleration, and force(s).

    2. Calculate the linear velocity.

    3. Calculate the angular velocity.

    4. How does changing the radius affect the acceleration? Use your vector diagram to explain why this relationship exists.


    Swing:
    1. Draw a picture of your experiment. Include a vector diagram of the velocity, acceleration, and force(s) at the bottom of the swing's arc and at the top of the swing's arc.

    2. What relationship exists between resultant (total) acceleration and height on the swing? Use your vector diagram to explain why this relationship exists.

    3. Using the period, calculate the length of the swing. Compare this calculated value to your measured value.

    4. How does changing the length affect the acceleration?

    5. How does changing the length affect the period?