Area-Under-The-Curve Analysis

DAY #3: I'm very impressed with how we were able to solve our area-under-the-curve dilema, NICELY DONE EVERYONE!

Just at the close of business yesterday we realized that doing a 1-2-3 "GO" start with two different devices inserted human error (possibly quite a bit of that) into our investigation.

Today we're going to see if using two sensors plugged into the SAME laptop will get rid of that error (Oh and I did a wee bit of checking and YES, Vernier says that we can plug up 4 wireless sensors at once using Bluetooth. YAY!)

Let's dig in!

INVESTIGATIVE QUESTION: Can we determine the accuracy of the 'area-under-the-curve' analytical method?

BACKGROUND:

We've been working on LOTS of different ways to analyze motion graphs-- This lab will focus on the area-under-the-curve method.

The goal of this lab is to see if we can determine the accuracy of taking motion data using that method. Please keep in mind as you go through today's initial work that you'll need to compare the area-under-the-curve data with.... <something> in order to determine the accuracy of your calculations.

The first step is to gain further experience with the Vernier accelerometers. Work with your team to:

  • assemble your own track somewhere in the room
  • take multiple data sets for the length of your run
  • notice that the Vernier software will display the data both in terms of the graph and in a data table format
  • notice also that you can change the rate at which the sensor takes data (click on the icon in the lower left of the screen)

Now please work with your team to return to the other piece of the puzzle: How can we verify our end result?

  • Notice in the back corner I set out another Vernier sensor that I affectionately call the 'bat sensor' (please don't refer to it that way in your lab report!). It works by sending out a series of 'clicks' (just like a bat!) and records the reflection of those clicks back to the sensor. They can be *most* moody devices.

  • One person in your group should be designated as the Bat Sensor expert who will lead the investigation and use of those motion sensors.

  • Work to come up with a method to make your data collection as reliable as possible. A particularly frustrating aspect of the bat sensors is that they sometimes interfere with other bat sensors in use in the room. You may have to move your rails or change the direction your car is moving so that your bat sensor doesn't interfere with or be interfered by another bat sensor.

NOTE:

We have lots to learn and practice and setup today so it is *highly* unlikely we'll actually take 'real' data until tomorrow.