The Air Trolley - an Adventure Investigating Going from Here to There

James P. Bejma

Period X

December 4, 2013

a8.FM.1.airtrolleys

The Air Trolley - An Adventure Investigating Going From Here to There

Background:

The concept of motion was investigated by conducting an activity that required students to create motion using a propeller driven “Air Trolley” on a micro-filament fishing line tied between two chairs (See Figure 1.). This activity introduced the idea that all objects are in a specific position (x) at a specific time and that the motion of an object is a result of a change in position (∆x). An object’s change in position can be calculated once the object’s initial position (xi) and final position (xf) are determined. Change in position can also be considered the distance (d) an object travels, and is calculated utilizing the equation d= xf - xi. In this activity students applied the equation for determining distance as they further investigated the motion of Air Trolleys.

Problem:

The purpose of the activity, The Air Trolley, is to determine how the number of propeller rotations on an air trolley influences the distance the air trolley travels along a micro-filament fishing line.

Hypothesis:

It is hypothesized, if the propeller of an air trolley is rotated, ranging from 20 to 55 rotations, then released along a micro-filament fishing line, and the distance of travel is measured in centimeters, then air trolleys with the greatest number of propeller rotations will travel the greatest distance.

Materials:

Air Trolley

Micro-filament fishing line (8.5 meters)

Chairs (2)

Meter Stick

Metric Measuring Tape

Masking Tape

Protocol:

1.  Assemble the air trolley and set up the equipment as shown in Figure 1. Use the front of the trolley for a reference point.

2.  Determine the initial position (xi)

3.  Wind the propeller of the air trolley 20 or 25* times in a counter clockwise motion.

4.  Carefully release the air trolley.

5.  Determine the final position (xf).

6.  Calculate the distance of travel using the equation d= xf - xi.

7.  Repeat steps 2-6 for four flights.

8.  Repeat steps 2-7 for the following propeller rotations: 30 or 35*, 40 or 45*, 50 or 55*.

* Groups recorded data for odd or even number of rotations

Data:

Data Table 1: Individual Measurements and Calculations for Determining the Distance an Air Trolley Traveled per Number of Propeller Rotations.

Data Table 2: Period A Data for the Distance the Air Trolley Traveled per Number of Propeller Rotations

Graph 1: The Distance Traveled by an Air Trolley Correlated with the Number Propeller Rotations

Figure 1: Air Trolley Set-Up

Calculations:

Distance equation for determining the distance of travel of an air trolley.

Discussion of Results

Conclusion