About

Tracker Ball Thrown Hit Wall n Bounce Force Model

For Teachers

- Copy of Green ball_video.mp4

Credits

Author: video: Yi Chongwen, model: lookang
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This briefing document examines resources related to physics education, focusing on the use of interactive simulations and educational technology.

Key Themes

• Interactive Simulations for Physics Education: The primary focus is on the use of Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS) for creating and sharing interactive physics simulations. There are numerous examples of EJS simulations covering various physics topics such as:
• Kinematics (motion, projectile motion, free fall)
• Dynamics (forces, collisions, friction)
• Oscillations and Waves (simple harmonic motion, pendulums, wave superposition)
• Gravity (gravitational fields, potential energy, escape velocity)
• Electricity and Magnetism (electrolysis, magnetic fields)
• Thermal Physics
• Optics (light intensity, reflection, refraction, diffraction)
• Modern Physics (wave-particle duality)
• Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics: The platform highlighted strongly emphasizes the concept of open educational resources, as seen in the page title: "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore." This suggests a commitment to making physics education materials freely accessible and adaptable.
• Technology Integration in Education: The resources showcased demonstrate the integration of technology into physics teaching and learning. This includes:
• Tracker Software: The mention of "Tracker" suggests the use of video analysis tools for physics experiments.
• JavaScript and HTML5: These technologies are fundamental to the development of EJS simulations, highlighting the role of web-based tools in modern science education.
• Student Learning Space (SLS): References to "SLS" point to the use of online platforms for delivering educational content and engaging students.

Important Ideas/Facts

• Accessibility and Adaptability: The EJS simulations are designed to be accessible across various platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, laptops, desktops). This ensures that students can engage with the materials regardless of their technological setup. The open-source nature of the resources allows educators to modify and adapt simulations to meet specific learning objectives.
• Wide Range of Physics Topics: The collection of EJS simulations covers a comprehensive range of physics topics, catering to different educational levels (secondary school, junior college).
• Interactive Learning: The emphasis on simulations highlights the importance of active learning in physics. Interactive simulations allow students to manipulate variables, visualize concepts, and receive immediate feedback, fostering deeper understanding.

Quotes

• From the page title: "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" - This clearly indicates the focus on open access and collaborative development of physics learning materials.

Observations

• Organization and Navigation: The website structure appears to be a nested list of links, which could be challenging for users to navigate effectively. A more user-friendly interface with search functionality and categorized resources would enhance usability.
• Lack of Detailed Descriptions: The website provides minimal information about the individual EJS simulations. Including brief descriptions, learning objectives, and target audience would make the resources more discoverable and useful for educators.

Overall Impression

The provided information highlights a valuable collection of open educational resources focused on interactive physics simulations. The emphasis on accessibility, adaptability, and technology integration reflects a modern approach to physics education. However, improvements in website organization and the provision of more detailed information would significantly enhance the value and impact of these resources.

Physics Review: 🏀Tracker Basketball and Motion

Short Answer Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

1. What is Tracker software used for in physics?
2. Describe the typical data collected when analyzing a video of a basketball bouncing off a wall using Tracker.
3. Explain the concept of kinematics in the context of a basketball's motion.
4. How does the force of gravity affect a basketball's trajectory?
5. What is the role of air resistance in the motion of a thrown basketball?
6. Explain how Newton's Third Law of Motion applies to the interaction between a basketball and a wall.
7. What factors influence the bounce height of a basketball after hitting the wall?
8. Describe the energy transformations that occur when a basketball is thrown, hits a wall, and bounces.
9. How can you use Tracker to determine the velocity of a basketball at a specific point in its trajectory?
10. Explain the difference between speed and velocity in relation to the basketball's movement.

Short Answer Quiz Answer Key

1. Tracker is a video analysis and modeling tool used in physics to extract quantitative data from videos of physical phenomena. It allows users to track the motion of objects, analyze their trajectories, and calculate variables like position, velocity, and acceleration.
2. When analyzing a basketball bouncing off a wall, Tracker would likely collect data on the ball's position coordinates (x and y) over time. This data can be used to plot the trajectory and calculate the ball's velocity and acceleration before and after impact.
3. Kinematics describes the motion of an object without considering the forces causing the motion. In the case of the basketball, kinematics would focus on its displacement, velocity, and acceleration as it moves through the air and bounces.
4. Gravity acts on the basketball throughout its motion, pulling it downwards. This results in a parabolic trajectory, causing the ball to descend after reaching its peak height.
5. Air resistance opposes the motion of the basketball, reducing its speed and affecting its trajectory. The impact of air resistance depends on factors like the ball's speed, surface area, and the density of the air.
6. Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the basketball hits the wall, it exerts a force on the wall. Simultaneously, the wall exerts an equal and opposite force back on the basketball, causing it to rebound.
7. The bounce height of a basketball is influenced by factors like the initial velocity at impact, the angle of impact, the elasticity of the ball and the wall, and the energy lost due to factors like air resistance and sound.
8. When a basketball is thrown, kinetic energy is transferred from the thrower to the ball. As the ball rises, some kinetic energy is converted to potential energy. Upon impact with the wall, some energy is lost as heat and sound, and the remaining energy causes the rebound, transforming back into kinetic energy.
9. Tracker allows you to mark the position of the basketball in successive frames of the video. By knowing the time between frames and the change in position, you can calculate the basketball's velocity at those points.
10. Speed is a scalar quantity representing the rate of motion, while velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. For the basketball, speed tells you how fast it's moving, while velocity indicates both its speed and the direction it's traveling.

Essay Questions

1. Analyze the motion of a basketball thrown at an angle to the horizontal. Discuss the horizontal and vertical components of its velocity, the influence of gravity, and the resulting trajectory.
2. Explain how you could use Tracker software to investigate the conservation of momentum in a collision between a basketball and a stationary object. Describe the data you would collect and the calculations you would perform.
3. Discuss the factors that contribute to the energy losses observed when a basketball bounces. How do these losses affect the subsequent bounces, and what happens to the lost energy?
4. Compare and contrast the motion of a basketball bouncing in a vacuum environment versus one with air resistance. How would the trajectory, velocity, and bounce height be affected?
5. Using the example of a basketball thrown against a wall, discuss how you would model this scenario using basic physics principles. What equations would you use, and what assumptions would you need to make?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Tracker: A free video analysis and modeling tool used in physics education to study the motion of objects.
• Kinematics: The study of motion without considering the forces causing the motion. Includes concepts like displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
• Dynamics: The study of motion and the forces that cause it, involving concepts like force, mass, and momentum.
• Force: An interaction that can change the motion of an object.
• Gravity: The force of attraction between any two objects with mass.
• Air resistance: The frictional force that opposes the motion of an object through the air.
• Newton's Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
• Elasticity: The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed.
• Energy: The ability to do work.
• Kinetic Energy: The energy of motion.
• Potential Energy: Stored energy due to an object's position or configuration.
• Trajectory: The path an object follows as it moves through space.
• Velocity: The rate of change of an object's position, including both speed and direction.
• Speed: The rate of motion, a scalar quantity.
• Momentum: The product of an object's mass and velocity.
• Conservation of Momentum: The principle that the total momentum of a system remains constant in the absence of external forces.

Basketball Bounce Force Model FAQ

1. What is the purpose of the Tracker Basketball Thrown Hit Wall and Bounce Force Model?

This model, developed by RGS Yi ChongWen, aims to demonstrate the principles of kinematics and dynamics, specifically focusing on the forces involved when a basketball bounces off a wall. It uses Tracker software, which allows users to analyze videos of motion, to visualize and understand the physics behind this common phenomenon.

2. What educational levels is this model appropriate for?

The model is suitable for various levels, including secondary school students studying kinematics and dynamics, as well as junior college students exploring these concepts further.

3. What physics concepts does this model help students understand?

This model aids in understanding several key physics concepts:

• Kinematics: This involves studying the motion of the basketball, including its displacement, velocity, and acceleration, both before and after it hits the wall.
• Dynamics: This focuses on understanding the forces acting on the basketball, such as gravity, the normal force from the wall, and air resistance.
• Momentum and Impulse: Students can observe the changes in momentum of the basketball during the bounce and relate this to the impulse applied by the wall.
• Energy Conservation: The model can be used to analyze the transformation of energy from kinetic to potential and back, considering energy loss due to factors like air resistance and sound.

4. What is Tracker software, and how is it used in this model?

Tracker is a free, open-source video analysis software. In this model, users upload a video of a basketball bouncing off a wall. Tracker then allows them to track the basketball's movement frame-by-frame, creating a data set of the ball's position, velocity, and acceleration over time. This data can be used to calculate and visualize the forces involved in the bounce.

5. Can this model be used on different operating systems?

Yes, Tracker software is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making the model accessible on various computers, including laptops and desktops.

6. What are the learning outcomes of using this model?

By using this model, students can:

• Develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between force, motion, and energy.
• Learn to use Tracker software for analyzing real-world physics phenomena.
• Improve their analytical and problem-solving skills in the context of kinematics and dynamics.
• Gain a more intuitive understanding of abstract physics concepts through visualization.

7. Are there any limitations to this model?

Like all models, this model has limitations. For example, it might not account for all the complexities of a real-world basketball bounce, such as the spin of the ball or the flexibility of the wall. However, it provides a simplified representation that allows students to focus on the fundamental physics principles at play.

8. Where can I find more resources and information about this model?

More information about this model, including the download link for the Tracker software and potential lesson plans incorporating this activity, can be found on the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website.