Prompt
Select a step or stage in a Rube Goldberg device. You will examine that step in relation to the previous and subsequent steps, analyzing the behavior of the object in the selected step. In addition, you will perform energy, velocity, and force calculations. Finally, you will discuss the analytical tools that could be used to confirm your velocity calculations and their relationship to the electromagnetic spectrum.
I. Step Selection: Select a step or stage in the Rube Goldberg device. Provide a concise descriiption of the step.
II. Previous Step
A. Descriiption: Analyze the behavior of the object in the interaction between the previous step and the selected step, qualitatively describing the
transfer of energy that occurs. Which principles of conservation of energy and momentum can you apply to this behavior?
B. Equations: Provide the equations that can be used to describe the transfer of energy and the momentum of the object from the previous step to
the selected step. What is the connection between the basic physics concepts in the equations and the interaction of the object and force(s)
from step to step?
C. Calculations: Using the applicable equations you identified, calculate the transfer of energy and the momentum from the previous step to the
selected step. How do these calculations help you predict the object’s location and velocity from the previous step to the step you selected?
III. Selected Step
A. Initial Velocity: Calculate the initial velocity of the object in the selected step. What does the initial velocity of the object tell you about the
behavior of the object?
B. Equations: Provide the equations that can be used to describe the change in type and amount of energy, if applicable, across the selected step.
C. Energy Calculation: Calculate the amount of energy that is converted from one form to another form using the changes in mass and height. For
example, if appropriate for your selected step, you could calculate the transformation of potential energy to kinetic energy.
D. Velocity and Force Calculations: Calculate the change in velocity that would be observed based on the changes in type of energy. Then, use
Newton’s second law to calculate the force acting on the object.
IV. Subsequent Step
A. Descriiption: Analyze the behavior of the object in the interaction between the selected step and the subsequent step, qualitatively describing
the transfer of energy that occurs. Which principles of conservation of energy and momentum can you apply to this behavior?
B. Equations: Provide the equations that can be used to describe the transfer of energy and the momentum of the object. What is the connection
between the basic physics concepts in the equations and the interaction of the object and force(s) from step to step?
C. Calculations: Using the applicable equations you identified, calculate the transfer of energy and the momentum from your selected step to the
subsequent step. How do these calculations help you predict the object’s location and velocity from the step you selected to the subsequent step?
V. Electromagnetic Spectrum ( This Part must needs to be addressed)
A. Tool: Select an analytical tool that uses electromagnetic waves to measure velocity. Explain how this tool uses electromagnetic waves to
measure velocity. Examples of tools you could consider are LIDAR and RADAR.
B. Properties: Describe the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that the tool you selected uses. What properties distinguish this region of the
spectrum from other regions?
C. Configuration: Describe how you would configure your selected tool to measure the velocity of the object as it moves from step to step. Ensure
that your descriiption of the tool configuration is complete and realistic. For example, in your descriiption of the configuration, you could consider things like the placement of the tool and the number of measurements you would take.
Note: Final Submission: Analysis Report
In Module Seven, you will submit the analysis report, which includes a full descriiption of your Rube Goldberg device steps. Make sure to add Critical Element V, which was not part of the milestones. Your report should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course.
