01.2 - Eq Creation

Goals:

• Make equations from collected data.

• Use a variety of measuring devices (ruler, meterstick, vernier caliper, micrometer, electronic balance, others of choice)

• Manipulating data within a spreadsheet. (=average(range), =avedev(range), =stdev(range))

• Creating a graph of data from a spreadsheet. SCATTERPLOT!!!!

1. Lengths - 5 measurements per individual.

Big Picture: Measure 8 items in BOTH inches and centimeters.

Process:

1. Measure an object with a ruler marked in both centimeters and inches, record your data in the appropriate portion of the shared spreadsheet.

2. 
   

Questions:

1. What is the precision of each unit on the ruler that you are using?

   1. Can you find any resources that describe precision and add them to the site?

2. How will you convert FRACTIONS of an INCH to decimals?

3. Which units are easier to measure in? Why do you find this unit easier?

4. What is the meaning of the slope and y-intercept of your graph?

Slope (m): For every y-value, there are m*x-value

(m=slope).

Y-intercept (b or c): Should never exist or when x=0 y=(n>0). That is not possible.

2. Mass - Volume - 5 measurements per individual.

Big Picture: Pour some sample 1 or 2 into graduated cylinder, determine its volume and mass.

Questions:

1. What is the meaning of the slope of your graph?

2. What is the meaning of the y-intercept of your graph?

3. Suppose the diagram below represents your graph (without numbers), sketch a line that would represent data collected with water instead of oil (using the same graduated cylinder).

4. How can you determine the relative error of your measurements? Add resources to the site that you find helpful.

3. Diameter and Mass - 5 measurements per individual.

Big Picture: Make spheres, measure the diameter, find the mass.

Questions:

1. What mathematical equation could be used to describe your graph? Copy your data and place it into LoggerPro to find the best fit line.

2. Search the web for the equation to determine the volume of a sphere. What relationships can be made between the data you collected, the equation for a volume of a sphere and the density of plasticine.

3. How can you add ERROR BARS to your graph? How do you change the values of the error bars?

4. Beyond the Ruler: Some IA Possibilities

• What is either the shortest or longest distance measurable at ACS? How could you verify/confirm the your measurement?

• What is the lightest or heaviest object we could measure? How could you verify/confirm the your measurement?

• What is the shortest time period you can accurately and repeatedly measure? How could you verify/confirm the your measurement?