Computer Science Tools: Windows Movie Maker, Imagej, Spreadsheet Software

The Research Experience for Teachers Program

http://www.cs.appstate.edu/ret

Subject Area(s): Chemistry

Computer Science Tools: Windows Movie Maker, ImageJ, spreadsheet software

Activity Title: “Exploring the Gas Laws with ImageJ and Potato Cannons”

Grade Level: 10 - 12

Time Required: 90 minutes

Recommended Group Size: 3

Summary: Students will explore Boyle’s Law by launching potatoes from PVC pipes of varying lengths and diameters, analyzing their results to look for a relationship between the volume of the PVC pipe and the distance that the potato travels. Distance is used as a variable as a means of indirectly measuring the pressure of the gas contained inside the pipe after being sealed.

Educational Standards:

The NC Chemistry Essential Standard 2.1.5 : Explain the relationships among pressure, temperature, volume, and quantity of gas, both qualitative and quantitative.

AP Chemistry Learning Objective 2.6: The student can apply mathematical relationships or estimation to determine macroscopic variables for ideal gases.

Computer Science Connection: Students will use Windows Movie Maker to take images of the potato launch. They will use ImageJ to measure the distance the potato travels. Finally, students will use the spreadsheet software to analyze their results and to determine a relationship between volume and distance traveled.

Keywords: gas, pressure, volume, Boyle’s Law The Research Experience for Teachers Program

Pre-Requisite Knowledge: Students should be able to load videos into Windows Movie Maker.

Learning Objectives: The student will learn about Boyle’s Law by altering the volumes of gases used to launch potatoes from PVC pipes.

Materials List: PVC pipes of varying sizes, potatoes, yard stick/ruler, tape measure, dowel sticks, video recorder, computer with ImageJ, Windows Movie Maker, and spreadsheet software

Teacher notes:

 Students can perform a pre-lab activity that will allow them to get comfortable with ImageJ. The module for such an activity can be found at http://www.cs.appstate.edu/ret/repository.php. It is Module #10, “Measurements in Images with ImageJ”.

 Have students hold their cannons at a predetermined angle that is constant for all trials for all groups so as to eliminate the angle variable. This can be accomplished by setting up a stand at the desired angle that can be used for all trials.

 Only use dowel sticks whose diameter is slightly smaller than the PVC pipes that are to be used in the experiment.

 To insert the potato, first place a potato onto the ground. Take the PVC pipe and push it downward into the potato; a core of potato will then seal that end of the pipe. Repeat the process to seal the other end of the pipe. This will capture a set volume of air inside the pipe. The potato is then ready to launch. The Research Experience for Teachers Program

 Students should wear gloves when launching potatoes—the PVC pipe can cut hands if not done carefully.

 Students who are filming should make sure that they are far enough way to capture the entire trajectory of the potato without having to move the camera. A tripod can be utilized, if available.