Force Plate
Experiment Suggestions

Goals

Materials

LabQuest
Force Plate

Possible Procedures

  1. Set the Force Plate on the floor. Start the default data collection. Once the graph begins, step onto the Force Plate then jump upwards with a little push off, landing on the Force Plate, then jump upwards with a bigger push off, also landing on the Force Plate. Compare the two - forces used to jump, forces during landing, hang time, etc.
  2. Set the Force Plate on the floor. Start the default data collection. Once the graph begins, step down onto the Force Plate from a chair or one of the packing cases. Store that run then repeat, landing either softer or harder as you wish. Compare the two - forces during landing, time taken to come to a stop, etc.
  3. Set the Force Plate on the floor. Start the default data collection. Once the graph begins, run and jump upwards off of the force plate, landing on the floor past the Force Plate. Store this run. Then repeat the procedure, but this time step softly onto the Force Plate and do a standing high jump, but land off of the Force Plate. Compare the two.
  4. Work with the instructor to set up Triggering so you can capture the Force vs. Time for a baseball that is dropped onto the Force Plate. Cushion the drop with various objects like foam, cardboard, etc., comparing the maximum forces in each case and the time taken to bring the baseball to a stop.

 

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C.Bakken
6/2009