Motion Analysis

We developed three activities that allow students to connect with, and quantitatively explore, key physics principles from mechanics with three fun physical challenges. By presenting these activities as competitions, students can be challenged to use what they know about the relevant physics to improve their performance and beat their own score or those of other students. Each activity uses an original, real-time data collecting program, which offers students and educators a simple, clear method to demonstrate various physics concepts including: (1) impulse-momentum, (2) center of mass (COM), and (3) kinematics. The user interface, written in LabVIEW, is intuitive to operate and only requires Vernier Force Plates, a Vernier LabQuest, a webcam, and a computer.

Resources

Kinematic activities (exe) (LabVIEW)

Presentations

OMSI Science Pub, "The Physics of Ballet," Venetian theater Hillsboro, OR (Sept. 30, 2013)

Justin C. Dunlap, Lester Lampert, Elizabeth Anderson, and Elliot Mylott

AAPT Summer Conference Demo Show, "Physics Center Stage," Newmark theater Portland, OR (July 16, 2013)

Justin C. Dunlap, Lester Lampert, Elizabeth Anderson, Elliot Mylott, and Kelsey Adams

http://www.aapt.org/Conferences/sm2013/demo_show.cfm

OMSI Science Pub, "The Physics of Ballet," Bagdad theater Portland, OR (Oct. 16, 2012)

Justin C. Dunlap, Lester Lampert, and Will Porter

Awards

Notable Entry, Vernier Engineering Contest (2012)

Justin C. Dunlap, Lester Lampert, Elliot Mylott, Will Porter, and Ralf Widenhorn

http://www.vernier.com/grants/engineering/2012-winners/