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Trial 2 - Testing your compound machine

1. Now, it is time to test your design. Refer to Technical Hints to connect the force sensor.

2. Every sensor affects the measurement in some manner. A force sensor should always be zeroed before you run your experiment in order to remove measurement errors associated with the small forces caused by the weight of the hook and the internal beam. Try zeroing your force sensor. Refer to Technical Hints to zero the force sensor. The software will have a button for zeroing the force sensor. In addition some force sensors have a tare button built right into the sensor itself.

3. Start your force sensor. Refer to Technical Hints to record a single measurement.

4. Start your compound gadget. Did it complete the challenge? If it did, stop and save your graph. Refer to Technical Hints to save your graph. If not, adjust your compound gadget and try again.

   
   

5. Try repeating your results. Reset your compound gadget. Start your force sensor. Refer to Technical Hints to record a single measurement.

6. Start the compound gadget. Stop and save your graph. Refer to Technical Hints to save your graph. Did the ball bounce to the same height?

   Possible compound gadgets students could build: