Graphical Analysis

The main purpose of today's lab is to gain experience graphing data and using the graphing software. The first part of the lab was to open a file named 'officeplot' so we could alter the mathematical function and plot the new graph. The new mathematical function that we chose was y = x2cosx1; which gave the following graph: 

y = x2cosx1

Part 2 of the lab concentrated on position vs time. Using logger pro and a motion detector we were able to collect data regarding a free falling ball. The motion detector was placed on the floor under a wire basket to protect it from the ball's impact. The ball was placed directly above the motion detector and then released  so that the logger pro could plot the data on a graph. The graph demonstrated that the falling ball's position vs time graph was determined by a quadratic function. Then we had to confirm the distance fallen relationship with dαgt^n where g = 9.8 m/s^2 and n = 2. 

               dα(9.8)(0.25)^2 = 0.6125                                             1.073α(9.8)t^2 
                        dα = 0.61                                                                   t = 0.33

d = 1.271+0.9522t+(-9.282t^2)+11.77t^3-10.44t^4

Dimensional Analysis:                                                                              Unit Analysis:

L = L/T^2 (T)^2                                                                                     meters = m/s^2 (s^2)  

Conclusion:
        
This lab was a helpful practice for using logger pro and the graphing sofware to graph and analyze a certain graph. By dropping a ball over a motion censor we were able record a graph using the avaliable software. Over all the lab allowed us to familiarize ourselves better with the logger pro and its common functions.