Activity | Notes for Teachers |
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Concepts
Function explored: parabolic
The motion of sliding down a playground slide is used to illustrate the
Materials
Ÿcalculator (see page 2 for available models)
ŸCBR 2™ motion detector
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ŸEasyData application or RANGER program
ŸPlayground slide
Hints
The use of a playground area with several slides is preferable for this experiment. The slides should be straight. Slides with other shapes could be used in an extension. For safety reasons, remind your students not to attempt to pass each other while on the slide steps.
You may wish to carry the interfaces, calculators, and motion detectors to the playground area in a box or boxes, and distribute the equipment to your students there. Remind your students that the Motion Detector does not properly detect objects closer than 15cm.
Depending on the type of slides that are available, you may wish to change the way your students position themselves for data collection. Some slides have large platforms where the student with the Motion Detector and the student with the calculator and interface can be located.
Students can use wax paper, slippery cloth, sand, and other materials to increase their speed. To enable your students to be prepared, be sure to alert them to Part II in advance.
Typical plots
A Speedy Slide
Typical answers
1.See the Sample Results.
2.In the Sample Results, the Part 2 speed was 0.90 m/sec greater than the Part 1 speed. Wax paper was used to decrease friction and increase speed.
3.Answers will vary. Speeds will differ because of differences such as contact area, weight, streamlining, and the use of
4.Answers will vary.
5.Increasing the height of the slide should increase speed.
6.The stone dropped from the top of the slide should hit the ground first because friction and the incline of the slide slow the rolling stone more.
7.The level part at the bottom of a slide slows sliders and prevents injuries.
Extensions
Design and carry out a plan to measure speed or velocity on a different piece of playground equipment.
Have a contest to see who in the class or group can obtain the greatest speed going down a slide.
Sample results
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| Speed (m/sec) |
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| Trial 1 | Trial 2 | Trial 3 | Average |
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Part 1 | 1.97 | 2.02 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
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Part 2 | 2.80 | 3.07 | 2.82 | 2.90 |
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18 GETTING STARTED WITH THE CBR 2™ SONIC MOTION DETECTOR | © 2000 VERNIER SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY |
