Excalibur
Objective 1 (E1): To calculate the average speed of the train for one trip.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: Calculate the average speed for the train from when it leaves the station until it
returns to the station assuming the length of the track is 747 m.
APPARATUS:
Stopwatch
DATA:
Time for one run:
_________ s
RESULTS:
Average speed:
_________ m/s
Objective 2 (E1): To calculate the speeds at certain points along the track.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: Determine the length of the train by several methods(counting the number of vertical
braces covered by the standing train; pacing its length when entering or leaving, etc.), and time its passing at
the points indicated below.
APPARATUS:
Stopwatch
Calibrated pace or tape measure
DATA:
Length of train:
__________ m
Time for train to pass top of tow hill:
__________ s
Time for train to pass bottom of first drop:
__________ s
Speed at top of tow hill:
__________ m/s
Speed at bottom of first drop:
__________ m/s
RESULTS:
Objective 3 (E2): To calculate the average acceleration of the train as it descends the first hill.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: Use the calculated speeds found in OBJECTIVE 2 and measure the time for the train
to travel between these two point.
DATA:
Time between top and bottom of first hill:
__________ s
RESULTS:
Acceleration:
__________ m/s2
Objective 4 (E2): To determine the change in kinetic energy of a rider between the top of tow hill and bottom
of first drop.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: Use the calculated speeds found in OBJECTIVE 2 and the mass of the rider.
DATA:
mass of rider:
__________ kg
RESULTS:
Kinetic energy at top of tow hill:
Kinetic energy at bottom of first drop:
Change in kinetic energy:
__________ J
__________ J
__________ J
Objective 5: To collect and analyze pressure data using Sensor Kinetics Pressure Sensor (only Android
Smartphones) to produce a pressure profile of the ride.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE:
1. Set Smartphone to stay on at least 5 minutes (this will prevent device from shutting off before all data can
be collected).
2. Open the “Sensor Kinetics Pro” app or similar app.
3. Select the “Pressure Sensor.”
4. Follow app directions to save and share data as a csv file.
5. Graph results using Excel, Logger Pro or similar graphing app.
CONCLUSION: Write a paragraph describing the pressure profile.
Objective 6 (E29): To collect and analyze pressure data using Sensor Kinetics Pressure Sensor (only Android
Smartphones) to produce a altitude (height) profile of the ride.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE:
1. Set Smartphone to stay on at least 5 minutes (this will prevent device from shutting off before all data can
be collected).
2. Open the “Sensor Kinetics Pro” app or similar app.
3. Select the “Pressure Sensor.”
4. Follow app directions to save and share data as a csv file.
5. Graph results using Excel, Logger Pro or similar graphing app.
6. Convert pressure data from mbar to meters using conversion factor in Helpful Hints.
7. Graph height (meters) vs time.
CONCLUSION: Write a paragraph describing the altitude profile.
Objective 7: To determine potential energy lost by a rider from top of tow hill to bottom of first drop by
determining change in height from altitude profile in Objective 6 and also determine the kinetic energy gained.
DATA & RESULTS:
Mass rider:
Change in altitude from top of tow hill to
Bottom of first drop:
_________ kg
_________ m
Potential Energy lost:
_________ J
Kinetic Energy gained:
_________ J