PASCO
MAIN PROCEDURE
   
In this experiment, students use their experimental data and theoretical calculations to solve a mystery.

A crime has been committed by a physicist! He/She left four pieces of evidence: a Mini-Launcher, a Resistor, a Spring, and a Tuning Fork. It is your job to find the muzzle velocity of the Mini-Launcher, the resistance of the Resistor, the spring constant of the Spring and the frequency of the Tuning Fork. At the end of the lab, you will compare your data to the dossiers of physicists to figure out who committed the crime.

 

Qty. Item or Product ScienceWorkshop PASPORT
1 Tuning Forks SE-7342 SE-7342
1 Computer Microphone    
1 WAVEPORT Software
If you do not have a Waveport license, you may download a free 30 day trial of it with the newest update of DataStudio 1.9. Click here to download DataStudio 1.9.		 CI-6872D CI-6872D
1 Battery (1.5 V)    
1 100 Ohm , 330 Ohm, 560 Ohm, 1000 Ohm Resistors EM-8668 EM-8668
1 Voltage/Current Sensor CI-6503
CI-6556		 PS-2115
1 Short Patch Cords SE-7123 SE-7123
1 Mini-Launcher ME-6825A ME-6825A
1 C Clamps SE-7286 SE-7286
1 Meter Stick    
1 Carbon Paper SE-8693 SE-8693
1 Force Sensor CI-6746 PS-2104
1 Demonstration Spring Set ME-9866 ME-9866

Data Collection and Procedures:
Safety:
Wear Safety Goggles.
Do not place foreign objects into the Launcher.
Do not look into the Launcher.
Do not aim the Launcher at others.
    1. Measure and record the height of the ball's starting point. Use the cross hairs on the side of the Launcher.

    2. Find the horizontal range. Launch the ball. Use a meter stick to measure the horizontal range. Record this value.

    3. Repeat step 2 five times. Record this value.
Analysis:
    Use your experimental data to determine the ball's initial velocity.
Data Collection and Procedures:
    Follow the instructions in the appropriate DataStudio workbook, ResistorPP.ds or ResistorCI.ds (see "Experimental Setup"), to find the voltage across and the current through the resistor.
Analysis:
    Use your experimental data to determine the unknown resistance.
Data Collection and Procedures:
    Follow the instructions in the appropriate DataStudio workbook, SpringPP.ds or SpringCI.ds (see "Experimental Setup").
Analysis:
    Use your experimental data to determine the spring constant.
Data Collection and Procedures:
    Follow the instructions in the DataStudio workbook, "TuningFork.ds" (see "Experimental Setup").
Analysis:
    Use your experimental data to determine the frequency of the Tuning Fork.
    Your teacher will hand you a database of dossiers collected from many known physics suspects that were near the crime scene. Use the dossiers to determine the actual perpetrator!
    Present your evidence, calculations, and analysis to your classmates. Show all of your work.