PASCO



  1. Before the lab, the instructor must fill out the database of Dossiers (see below to download).

  2. There are several ways to configure this lab:

Easiest and Fastest setup: One true criminal with all the other suspects as decoys AND the entire class works together to solve the mystery.

Before the lab:

  • Determine the identity of the true perpetrator. Example: Albert Einstein
  • Find the actual muzzle velocity of a Mini-Launcher using either the procedure in the lab or photogates. Enter this value into Albert Einstein's dossier.
  • Find the resistance of an "unknown" resistor. Enter the value of the resistor into Albert Einstein's dossier. Place opaque tape over the resistor's colored bands.
  • Find the spring constant of a spring. Enter the value of the spring constant into Einstein's dossier.
  • Enter the frequency of a Tuning Fork into Einstein's dossier. If necessary, place opaque tape over the frequency value on the Tuning Fork.
  • For all the other dossiers, create values that serve as detractors from the real suspect's values.

Variation: One true criminal with all the other suspects as decoys AND the student groups work independently.

Hardest and Longest setup: One true criminal for EACH lab group with all the other suspects as decoys. The groups work independently.

Before the lab:

  • Determine the identities of several true perpetrators: one for each group. Example: Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Niels Bohr, Enrico Fermi
  • Find the actual muzzle velocity of several Mini-Launcher (one for each group) using either the procedure in the lab or photogates. Enter these values into the dossiers.
  • Find the resistances of "unknown" resistors (one for each group). Enter the values of the resistor into the dossiers. Place opaque tape over the resistors' colored bands.
  • Find the spring constants of several springs (one for each group). Enter the values of the spring constants into the dossiers.
  • Enter the frequencies of several Tuning Forks (one for each group) into the dossiers. If necessary, place opaque tape over the frequency value on the Tuning Fork.
  • For all the other dossiers, create values that serve as detractors from the real suspects' values.


Downloads:

  • DataStudio file with Sample Data -- click on Windows (Zip file) or Macintosh (Stuffit file) to download.

  • Dossiers (Excel spreadsheet file) -- click on Windows (Zip file) or Macintosh (Stuffit file) to download.