Video Analysis in the Math Classroom

Monkey and the Hunter Problem

n  A zookeeper is trying to coax an escaped monkey to climb down from a tree. After several unsuccessful attempts to entice the monkey down, the zookeeper points her tranquilizer gun directly at the monkey and shoots. The monkey, who is a very astute observer, sees this, and, in an effort to escape certain slumber, immediately lets go of the branch from which it hung.

n  Question to consider: Will the dart hit the monkey?

212g t⋅ ⋅

212g t⋅ ⋅

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Introductions

Why use video analysis in the math classroom?

n  Provides a change of pace n  Uses cross-curricular concepts (Science,

Technology, Math) n  Great way to integrate STEM activities n  Excellent way to study “real world” examples of

phenomena that are described by linear, quadratic, hyperbolic, square root, and sinusoidal relationships and graphs.

Pendulum Activity

n  Part I: Devise a method for accurately measuring the period of a pendulum.

n  Part II: Video Analysis of Pendulum Motion n  Before analyzing the video, sketch graphs predicting

the y-position vs. time and the x-position vs. time for a swinging pendulum.

Investigation 2: Motion on a Ramp

n  Materials: n  Inclined plane (w/ scale drawn on it) n  toy car n  video capturing device

n  Record a video of the car going up and down the ramp. n  Use video to gather position and time data (camera

shoots at 30 fpsà0.033 s/frame) n  Make a plot of position vs. time n  Analyze graph

Contact Info:

n  Raphael Carlson n  raphaelc@chof.net

n  Mike Reiners n  mreiners@chof.net