How Far? How Small? Lab Activity
From the Museum of Science
Page 3 of 3
When conducting experiments, scientists attempt to reduce experimental error as much as possible. One method used to reduce the impact of error is to collect as much data as possible. In this lab activity, our class will collect as much data as possible by pooling the data of all of the students (and groups). As a result, our entire class will be sharing one data table.
If you have NOT already input your data into the class data table, you can input that data in the class data table by clicking right HERE. Please be careful not to type over another team's (or student's) data in the table.
If you have NOT already input your data into the class data table, you can input that data in the class data table by clicking right HERE. Please be careful not to type over another team's (or student's) data in the table.
You should see the graph generated by our data in the graph at the right. Refresh this page any time you want to update the graph. Click HERE if you do not see the graph.
Study our graph carefully. Next, we will compare our graph with examples of three kinds of graphs. |
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You should see three graphs below. I made the graphs with a free online graphing calculator; if you would like to use the calculator for free, just click HERE. The three graphs below are good representations of three different kinds of graphs. The graph on the left is a quadratic graph (polynomial) which opens down, the graph in the middle is a linearly decreasing graph, and the graph on the right is the inverse of x-squared. Look back at the graph we made above, and try to decide if our graph looks like any of the three below.
Next, you will take a lab quiz which asks specific questions about what we have seen in this lab activity, about the graph, and about what the graph means. Make sure you get in touch with your classmates or with me if you have any questions, BEFORE you attempt the lab quiz.
Read the following instructions BEFORE opening the quiz.
The quiz is open-book and open-note, and you may work with your classmates on the quiz. However, you have only ONE chance to complete the quiz; once you have submitted the quiz, you cannot re-take it.
When you have completed and submitted this quiz, you are finished with this lab activity.
Click HERE to see Fall 2011 solutions for this activity.
The quiz is open-book and open-note, and you may work with your classmates on the quiz. However, you have only ONE chance to complete the quiz; once you have submitted the quiz, you cannot re-take it.
When you have completed and submitted this quiz, you are finished with this lab activity.
Click HERE to see Fall 2011 solutions for this activity.