Sinusoidal Lab Using the CBL





Equipment Required by Each Group:
CBL unit
TI-82 calculator
Motion detector
Slinky
1 sheet of graph paper
Equipment Setup Procedures:
1. Connect CBL unit to TI-82 with the unit-to-unit link using I/O ports located at the bottom edge of each unit.
2. Connect the motion detector to the SONIC port on the side of the CBL unit and position the CBL on a stable surface, such as a table or desk top.
3. Turn on the CBL unit and the TI-82 calculator.
Instructions:
1. Set the motion detector on the floor, face up. Make sure you have a clear area in which to work. Position the SLINKY directly above the detector so that it will "bounce" up and down no closer than 30 cm. Trial runs may be needed to determine the detector's range.
2. Under PRGM on the TI-82, select #1, then enter. At the prompt, PRGM MOTION, press ENTER. Follow the prompts:
1) HIT ENTER TO ZERO.
2) ENTER COLLECTION TIME IN SECONDS? 5 ENTER.
3) HIT ENTER TO START COLLECTION TIME. At this point you want to start your SLINKY in an up/down motion. When you are ready, press ENTER.
4) You should hear a clicking sound and a red light will be on the MOTION detector.
5) The TI-82 will ask you for PLOT OPTIONS, press #1 (Distance-time). The calculator will graph the motion of the SLINKY as a sinusoidal graph.
3. Use your calculator TRACE key to find the amplitude, phase shift, period, and translation so that you can write the equation. Enter your equation under "y=" and graph the equation again. If the graphs do not match, make changes to your equation until you get the same graph. Graph your sinusoidal curve on the sheet of graph paper. Be sure to put the scale on both axes.
4. Write your equation below the graph.

Submitted by Debbie Lancaster of Lakeside High School in Evans, GA.