Graphical Analysis Lab

Graphical Analysis Lab

Lab Partner: Keith Sylvester

Purpose:  To gain experience in drawing graphs and in using graphing software.
(We basically learned how to use and became familiar with using the Graphical Analysis software.)

Equipment Needed :

• 1 Windows based computer with the Graphical Analysis and the Logger Pro software
• 1 Lab Pro interface
• 1 motion detector
• 1 rubber ball
• 1 wire basket

Procedure:

PART I

     First we had to log onto the computer provided for us and locate the Graphical Analysis software in the appropriate folder.  We then proceeded to find and open a designated, pre-existing file that was saved onto the computer.  The file had the tables of data and a generic graph.  We then had to chose one of the sets of data (X2) and manipulate the graph by changing the formula from the form F(x) = x, where x = X2 = the second set of data, to whatever formula we chose to manipulate the graph with.  We chose to change the function from F(x) = x, to F(x) = sin(x)\x.  We then had to crop and label the graph.  The results of the change can be seen in the graphs below:

(print out of how the graph looks on the software)

(a colorful version that we shared in class)

PART II

     For the second part of the lab we had to log into another software called Logger Pro.  After connecting the Lab Pro interface to the computer, and the motion detector to the Lab Pro hardware, we set the motion detector on the floor and covered it by putting the wire basket upside down over it.  We then practiced detecting the motion of a falling ball by starting collecting the data on Logger Pro and dropping the ball onto the wire basket, just above the motion detector.  Once we became comfortable doing this, we did one last trail and obtained the graph of the motion of a falling ball, which can be seen below:



(the darker line represents our best fit parabola and the zig-zag lines represent the ball bouncing in and out of the range of the motion detector)

(This the graph that we shared with the class which includes the equation for our best fit parabola,
x =  -4.475t^2+1.055t+1.477, and our axis and unit labels  where time was our x-axis with units in seconds, and our y-axis is position with its units being meters.)

* A question asks: d α gt^n where g = 9.8 m/s^2, is the acceleration due to gravity.  What is n in this equation?

*The n is the highest power of out equation, which n = 2 in this instance, and  what type of equation the graph is, which is parabolic(quadratic) in our case.

You can see the relationship between Unit Analysis and Dimensional Analysis by using Algebra. You can prove your Dimensional Analysis through Unit Analysis by showing that both sides of the equation end up with the same units.

Dimensional Analysis : t = (d / g)^(1/2)~~time = (distance / acceleration due to gravity)^(1/2) ~~~ time is equal to the square root of the distance divided by the acceleration due to gravity.

Unit Analysis :  s = (m / (m/s^2))^(1/2) ---mass cancelled out---> s = (1/(1/s^2))^(1/2)---1/(1/s^2) is equal to s^2---> s = (s^2)^(1/2) ---squaring and square root cancelled out---> ∴ s = s

Conclusion : I was slightly familiar with the Logger Pro from taking Chem-1A, but I haven't used it in for about two semesters, so, for me, this lab was a nice review on how the system works.  I now feel comfortable using both the Graphical Analysis software and the logger Pro software.