Graphical Analysis Edwin Gonzalez

Graphical Analysis

The purpose of this lab was to gain experience in drawing graphs and using graphing software. We used Windows based computer with Graphical Analysis software, Lab Pro interface, Logger Pro interface, Logger Pro software, a motion detector, a rubber ball, and a wire basket.

PART I

To get familiar with the graphical analysis software we made a graph with and equation of our choice. We chose [(X2)^5 *sin(3X2)] 

Part of getting familiar with the software was making graphs correctly. To make an effective graph/plot a title , x-axis lables, y-axis lables, and correct units are required. In the graph above our title is "Practice Graph", our y-axis is labled "y axis", our x-axis is labeled "x3". As we later noticed we did not label the correct units, thus making our graph totally ineffective.

PART II

We used to the ball to simulate a falling object. The motion detector was placed on the ground with the wire basket on top of it. The motion detector was connected to a Logger pro interface. Pro interface was connected to the computer where it was analyzed by the Logger Pro software. From there the information was transferred to the graphical analysis software, where the graph was made.

We recorded a trial and we obtained this following graph, which comprised of our data:

We applied a curve fit (quadratic fit) At^2+Bt+C and we came up with the equation: -7.175t^2+10.56t+ (-2.067) where t = time.

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Dimensional Analysis

L=Lt^2 (t^2)

Unit Analysis

Meters = m/s^2 (s^2)

Conclusion

Our graph required 3 things. Those 3 things were A title, x-axis labels, y-axis labels, and units. On out first Practice Graph we failed to label units. On our Second graph, where we collected data from a free falling object, we failed to supply a title. As for the actual data, our results were off. The A in our equation was supposed to be roughly half of 9.8 form the acceleration due to gravity of 9.8 m/s^2. We had -7.175. we do not know why this happened. It is possible that we selected the wrong part of the data collection, not the ball falling or perhaps the ball was not in free fall and had another force on it that made it accelerate faster. Another source of error may have come from the equipment because it was our first time using motion detectors. In conclusion, we did get experience in using the graphical analysis software and logger pro equipment. We made mistakes and learned from them.