Grade: physics

Time Frame: 2 days

Goal:

• 1. Compare and contrast vector quantities with scalar quantities;
• 2. Add vectors graphically;
• 3. Add vectors using trigonometry; and
• 4. Discuss application of vectors for commercial airlines.

Overview:

Materials: survey flags, graph paper, internet worksheet, butcher paper, markers

Invitation:

Using an outdoor area, the students are given small surveying flags. The following directions are given, and the students place the flags after each vector.

2 paces N 4 paces E 5 paces S 5 paces W 3 paces N 2 paces N 4 paces E 8 paces W 4 paces E, etc.

Students then measure the distance from the starting point to the end point (in paces). The students will graph the area they plotted on the ground, and calculate the distance by counting squares (estimation) and compare it to the value they found by pacing the distance.

The vocabulary vector and scalar quantities are introduced at this point.

A long sheet of butcher paper is placed on the ground to simulate a river. One student holds a marker and attempts to draw a straight line across the paper while another student slowly pulls the paper about a meter. If done correctly, the hypotenuse of a triangle should be evident.

The Pythagorean theorem and trigonometry are reviewed and sine, cosine and tangent are reinforced by the use of 3-4-5 and 5-12-13 triangles. (Approximately 60 minutes)  

Exploration:

The students are placed in pairs. They visit the following websites and follow the instructions on the worksheet. (Approximately 60 minutes)  

http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/SEP/physical.html

http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/~yliu/physics/education.html

http://www.explorescience.com/

Explanation:

Students are placed in groups of four. Each group has a different scenario: Air travel, sea travel, road travel, etc. Students must use the butcher paper to draw a poster that represents vectors in their scenario.

(Approximately 30 minutes)

The groups share their ideas by discussion.

(Approximately 90 minutes)

Take Action:

Students are in groups of four. I'd like to find a website that would do this haven't been able to.

The students are flight controllers, charting ten different aircraft on a large sheet of butcher paper when the radar goes down. They are responsible for charting the aircraft in real time, adjusting for weather conditions. If this were a website, then the students' positions could be compared to real values when the radar was re-established, and the students could see if any of their aircraft had crashed, ran into a mountain, etc.