Science Probe I Technology Activities

Chapter 19

Internet

A bicycle may have 1, 3, 9, 10, 18, or 21 gear combinations. Each bicycle has a use for which it is best suited because of its design and its gear ratio, size, and other components of its design. Engineers are constantly attempting to increase the efficiency of bicycles. Conduct an Internet search into the effort to increase the efficiencies of bicycles to find out how the engineers are trying to do this. Bicycle racers are particularly interested in this subject. Prepare a presentation to share what you have learned with your classmates. Below is a web site to get you started:

Oregon Institute of Technology (bicycle research) http://internet.oit.edu/~met/hub/loadhub.htm

Application Software

Activity 19A – Use word processing software to prepare the three-column table for your group as directed in this activity. When your group has completed its list, use a presentation program to present your list for comparison with the lists prepared by other groups of students.

Activity 19B – (Probeware may also be used in this activity. See directions below.) Use a spreadsheet program to make the data table shown in this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet as you perform the activity. Use the mathematical functions of the spreadsheet to do the calculations for converting grams to kilograms. Use the graphing function of the spreadsheet to plot a graph of Force of gravity (in N) on the vertical axis and the Mass (in kg) on the horizontal axis. Print the final spreadsheet and graph, and secure them in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.

Activity 19C – Use a spreadsheet program to make the data table as directed in this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet as you perform the activity. Use the mathematical functions of the spreadsheet to do the calculations for work done (in joules). Print the final spreadsheet, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.

Activity 19D – Use a spreadsheet program to make the data table shown in this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet as you perform the activity. Use the mathematical functions of the spreadsheet to do the calculations for work done (in joules). Print the final spreadsheet, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.

Activity 19E – Use a word processing program to set up the three-column table as directed in this activity. As you read the sections, take your notes on the computer. Print the data table, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook.

Probeware

Activity 19F – Use a force probe attached to a computer or calculator to measure the force of gravity. Place each object on the force probe. The computer or calculator will record the force, and you will be required to enter the mass in kilograms. When all masses have been measured, use the graphing feature of the probe application software to plot a graph of force of gravity (in N) on the vertical axis and mass (in kg) on the horizontal axis. Print the data table and graph, and secure them in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.