Let us assume that you have downloaded DataStudio.
If you are using Microsoft Explorer: You only need to click on the link, Problem1, above and the DataStudio session will start.
If you are using Netscape: You must right click on the link and save the DataStudio file to a convenient location. Start a DataStudio session and open the activity (file) that you have just saved.

When you start DataStudio it expects an interface like the one you will be using in the laboratory. Choose the 750 interface.  Note that you don't actually need an interface because you will not be taking data but only modifying data.  The data in this problem is for a collision between two gliders on an air track in your laboratory.  Glider 1 of mass 224 g is sensed by the motion sensor 1 which is connected to Channels 1&2 of the 750 interface.  Glider 2 of mass 222 g is sensed by the motion sensor 2 which is connected to channels 3&4.  The motion sensors are at opposite ends of the track.  The motion sensors are at opposite ends of the track.

Try to answer the following questions of the exercise:

1)  Display the velocities of glider 1 and 2 on the same graph.  By default, the motion away from the sensor is positive.  Describe in words what is happening in this run.  Why the graphs appear as they do?

2)  Click on the "Calculate" button on the main toolbar (between "Stop" and "Curve fit") and calculate the total kinetic energy y = ½ m₁ v₁² + ½ m₂ v₂² by entering the formula for the kinetic energy into the "Definition" window.  The "*" is used for multiplication and the "^" is used for exponentiation.  You will be able to define  m₁, v₁, m₂, and v₂ after you type in the formula and click on "Accept".  The masses are constants whose values are given above.  v₁ and v₂ are Data Measurements which are the velocities of gliders 1 and 2 respectively.  Note that a calculated data set for the kinetic energy appears in the list at the left.  Display the total kinetic energy on a separate graph.  Is the collision an elastic or inelastic one?