Independent project: Mechanics topics

 

Below is a list of possible topics using the tools you have available. Most of them are extensions of experiments you may have already tried. You can use the motion sensor to do a physical experiment.  Or you can choose any of the models and do further experiments with variables you may not have investigated. These are also on the reference site   ( is links.concord.org )  under “List of possible experiment topics”, along with some photos of possible setups. 

As you read through these topics, ask these questions:

 

·      Does this topic interest us and will it be fun to look into it?

·      Can we think of a testable question for this topic?

·      Do we have the equipment and space to do this physical experiment?

 

EXPLORE YOUR OWN QUESTION:  POSSIBLE MECHANICS TOPICS

 

A.    Continue with the mass-spring system.

B.    Explore a pendulum, which has cycles like a mass-spring system.

C.    Continue with a parachute system.

D.    Explore a ramp-cart physical system to learn about energy and friction.

E.    Find some other interesting testable question for which you have the equipment. The measurement tools available to you are a force sensor, a motion sensor, and meter sticks.

 

A.    Continue with the mass-spring system.

·      Look for other variables that affect the period, for example, the number of springs.

·      Measure the spring constant k of the springs directly and plot that against the period. The spring constant is defined as the change in force divided by the change in length. The units are Newtons/meter (N/m).

·      Make a “coupled” system: set up two spring-mass systems side by side (hanging from a common horizontal string) and see if you can get them to pass energy back and forth.

·      Try rubber bands as springs.

·      Compare the physical experiment with the simulation. Do the results match?

·      Try ‘damping’ the system in various ways so it slows down more quickly. What is the pattern of slowing down?

·      Try a compound system – spring and mass hanging from a spring and mass.

 

B.    Explore a pendulum, which has cycles like a mass-spring system but the same variables may have a different effect.

·      Find the variables that do or do not affect the period. Compare this to the mass-spring system.

·      Run the pendulum model and explore the effect of the variables. Compare these results to the mass-spring system.

·      Compare the physical with the simulation. Do the results match?

·      Make a pendulum and a mass-spring system that have precisely the same period. Try to exactly double the period of both so that they are again exactly the same.

·      Make a “coupled” system: set up two spring-mass systems side by side (hanging from a common horizontal string) and see if you can get them to pass energy back and forth.

·      Study a “compound pendulum” (two masses in different positions) or a rigid pendulum (rod instead of string).

 

C. Continue with a parachute system.

·      Invent your own parachute, perhaps one where the size or some other feature can be changed.

·      Test other objects and determine their terminal velocity -- but nothing that will damage the sensor!

·      Find the exact numerical relationship between mass, area, and terminal velocity, either with the model or the physical setup.

 

D.    Explore a ramp-cart system to learn about energy and friction.

·      Find the relationships among variables for a cart rolling down a cardboard ramp and across the floor, stopping after a certain distance.

·      Explore these relationships with the ramp-cart simulation.

·      Take on the distance-prediction challenge: Explore the variables so you can make a cart roll any given distance. Then have the teacher set a ‘challenge’ distance and see if you can make the cart stop there.

·      Change variables such as mass of cart, friction, type of surface, slope of ramp – find out what effect they have on stopping distance.

·      Use the motion sensor to explore the velocity of the cart. Is the shape the same on the ramp and the floor?

·      Use the force sensor to measure the rolling friction of the cart.

·      Build a “bonker” – a mass on a pendulum that hits the cart – and explore the motion and energy transfer of this system.

 

E.    Other possible situations:

·      Bouncing ball: what is the pattern of decreasing height? 

·      Go further with a class lab from earlier this year. Ask your teacher for suggestions. 

·      What else could you explore and measure using force and motion sensors?