PHYSICS 30: Projects – Accelerometer Challenge
Purpose: To design and construct a device to measure the relative strength and
direction of the acceleration of a city bus.
Proposal: To be submitted by 2 weeks before the end of class. The proposal must
have a diagram and an explanation of how the device will work. It should also
include a description of the physics concepts on which the apparatus is based. A
method for “deploying’ the apparatus on the bus should be part of the proposal.
Apparatus: A device which indicates both the magnitude/strength of the
acceleration as well as the direction of the acceleration. The city bus will speed
up, run at a constant speed, slow down, and turn corners during its run. We will test
your apparatus by riding a city bus during our last class time. You apparatus will be
assessed using the rubric provided.
Brochure: A document which “sells” your accelerometer apparatus. It should
include a description of how the device indicates the magnitude of the acceleration
as well as the direction of the acceleration. It should also explain why the
accelerometer works based on physics concepts. This is the most important part
of the project as it allows you to show how the physics you have learned can be
applied.
Assessment:
 Proposal: Diagram, explanation, materials
 Apparatus: Effectiveness, durability, aesthetics, ease of use
 Brochure: Diagrams, How it works, Why it works, creativity
20%
40%
40%
Accelerometer – Assessment
PROPOSAL:
DIAGRAM
/8
EXPLANATION
/8
MATERIALS
/4
APPARATUS:
EFFECTIVENESS:
 Indicates a difference
between accelerated
motion and constant
velocity
 Forward/backward
 sideways
EASE OF USE:
 readable
 direction
 stable
AESTHETICS:
 Name
 Visual appeal
BROCHURE:
VISUALS:
 Cover
 Diagrams
FUNCTION:
 Description of how it
worked
 Acceleration
 direction
PHYSICS:
 Forces
 Newton’s laws
 Momentum
/15
/15
/10
/10
/10
/20
PROPOSAL:
/20
2
sketch only
Diagram

Explanation
Incomplete
description of
function and/or
concepts.


4
diagram with
some labels
Description of
what occurs
during
acceleration.



Materials
Partial
materials list

APPARATUS:
Effectiveness




Aesthetics


X



8
very detailed
diagram with
complete
labeling. Top
and side views.
Complete
description of
what will occur
during both
constant
velocity and
acceleration.
Use of physics
concepts to
explain WHY
apparatus
functions.
X
/40
5
difference between
accelerated motion &
constant velocity
indicates acceleration



Description of
what occurs
during constant
speed and
acceleration.
Attempts to
use physics
concepts to
explain reason
for functions.
Complete
materials list

Ease of Use
6
good diagram
with labels
only able to read
magnitude or
direction of
acceleration
questions regarding
acceleration
magnitude or
direction due to
motion
rough looking
apparatus
no name apparant


10
distinct difference
between accelerated
motion & constant
velocity
some indication of
both +ve & -ve
acceleration
some indication of
centripetal
acceleration during
turns
easy to read one of
magnitude or
direction of
acceleration
some false readings
due to motion








finished looking
apparatus
includes name of
apparatus
15
distinct & significant
difference between
accelerated motion &
constant velocity
clearly indicates both
+ve & -ve acceleration
clearly indicates
centripetal
acceleration during
turns
very easy to read
magnitude of
acceleration
very easy to
determine direction
of acceleration
very stable, no false
readings
X
BROCHURE:
Visuals
Function




Physics



/40
5
good diagrams
good connection
between
diagrams and
descriptions
good
understanding
of how
observations of
apparatus
translate into
acceleration
god description
of how at least
one of
acceleration
and direction
are indicated
attempts to
explain why
apparatus works
not much use of
physics
concepts
physics
concepts used
incorrectly






10
excellent
diagrams
diagrams
support
function and
physics
descriptions
clear
understanding
of how
observations of
apparatus
translate into
acceleration
Good
description of
how both
acceleration
and direction
are indicated
uses some
physics
concepts to
attempt to
explain why
apparatus works
explanation has
some
inaccuracies

15
X
20
X
X
X
uses some
concepts of
force,
momentum,
acceleration,
velocity,
Newton’s Laws
of Motion to
explain why
apparatus works

uses concepts
of: forces,
momentum,
velocity,
acceleration,
Newton’s Laws
of Motion to
clearly explain
why apparatus
works