Physics of Surfing

Experiment 17Yvonne, Erin, & James?

Experiment 17

• May 21st, 2008 at SIO• Experiment 17a: Accelerometer in a

moving elevator• Experiment 17b: Accelerometer on a

weighted bungee cord (spring)

Participants

Participants

• Professor David Sandwell• Mac• James• Yvonne• Erin…kinda…

• Powerpoint:– Erin– Yvonne

Accelerometer

• Collection time of 4 minutes

• Collected data in X, Y, and Z components

• Streaming Data• Data recorded in

sensor package and downloaded to computer

Setup

• Elevator Experiment: Accelerometer placed on floor of elevator to record data

• Weight Experiment: Accelerometer taped to weights

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Elevator Data

During the Experiment…

About to Release the Weight

Bungee Experiment

• First attempt: failed

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So, like real scientists, we tried again

• Second attempt: success

Results

• Elevator experiment: – Velocity of elevator around 0.5m/s, -0.5m/s

when traveling in downward direction.– Graph data incomplete because memory card

was full, but same conclusion can be reached– Acceleration constant during travel

Results (cont)

• Bungee (1st attempt): Weight hit the rail, so data was obscured

• Bungee (2nd Attempt): When released, the weight traveled with perfect oscillating motion. Distance weight traveled was reduced to zero after enough time

• Video: ftp://topex.ucsd.edu/pub/class/ps/EXP17/video/EXP17_video.mov