Sec:__ Name: _Experiment: The Law Of Probability

(E. Science 9-1-1e)

Purpose: To use a spinner to determine the•direction and distance you will move, and use thelaw of probability to interpret your randommovements.

,Materials: spinner from a gamefig. 1-1 of spinner

Methods:

1. Place the fig. 1-1 over the spinner of the game,but under the spinner arm itself.2. Spin the arrow. When it stops, read from theouter dial the direction in which you are to move.Record the direction and number of spaces in the

.. __ table in results ..-.....- .... " ' ...-...•.~... -,..~.

3. Repeat this for a total of 20 turns. Record this as trial 1.4. Spin 20 more turns; record as trial 2. Spin 20 more turn; record as trial 3.5. Start at Point A in the center of the graph paper, and plot your movements forTrial 1. Move diagonally if the direction is northeast, southeast, northwest orsouthwest Move along a grid line if the direction is north, south, east, or west.6. Using different colored pencils, plot your movements for trials 2 and 3. Beginplotting each trial at point A (in the center).7. Measure the distance along a straight line from A to the end of your random paths.

Results: trial 1~ direction spaces1--112 II3 _" ~ _4 II5 "6 II7 II8 II9 11Q11121Q

M~12171eN2Q

distance ~II _ II

trial 3direction spaces

II 1II ~I _

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Conclusions:

1. Were the three ending distance distances equal?

2. Did all three paths follow the same direction?

3. Based on your three trials, and given the same setup, can you make an accurateprediction of the distance and direction of future paths? Explain.

4. Would the average distance of 10 paths be more accurate for predicting distanceand direction than the average of your three paths? Why?

Discussion:

1. If each of us were to do this experiment and then find the average of the entireclass, how would the accuracy of the cl~ss average compare to your average?

2. Which is the better prediction, the class average or your average? Why?

3. If a scientific law is based on the "law of probability" is it necessarily correct?Explain.

4a. We often feel like it is impossible to do a certain task, or to accomplish something.Sometimes we look at the data and what God asks us to do and say I can't do this ordo that. We are using the "law of probability" in human terms, and conclude wecannot do the task. What does Jesus say in Luke 18:27 to help us see things the waywe should?

4b. What impossible task is Jesus talking about when he used this statement?

Sec: __ Name: _3. You have just measured a large field and found it to be 9000 cm long. What wouldbe a more convenient unit to use so you wouldn't have to have such a large number infront of the unit?

4. Do you always measure length in centimeters? Explain.

5. How do you decide what prefix to use when you measure something in the metricsystem.

Measurement of Length

Conclusions:1. The following is a segment ofa metric ruler. Fill in the blankwith the appropriate number.(Record measurements in cm).

A

A _B _c _D _

E

E _F _G _

H _

F G H

A-B _C-D _

E-F _G-H _

2. Technology is the application of scientific discoveries. Technology has createdboth benefits and problems for humans. In each of the following situation involvingtechnology identify the benefit and the drawback.a. Cars allow us to be mobile and travel freely, but they also create pollution andcontribute to congestion in cities.

benefit:

problem:b. Some people have lost their jobs because they were replaced by robots. Becauserobots have been successfully used to perform repetitive and dangerous work, peopleno longer have to perform these jobs.

benefit:

problem:c. lightweight, durable plastic products are used for many purposes including cookingin microwave ovens. The plastic products, however, are oil - based products and theiruse makes us more dependent on oil.

benefit:

problem:d. Clearing the forests has provided more land for food production and other uses bypeople. At the same time, natural habitats of some plants and animals have been lost,and the plants and animals become endangered.

benefit:

problem:

3a. Read Gen. 1:28. What is the role of humans in reference to the rest of thecreatures that God has made?

3b. With this role in mind, should we as Christian's place care for the earth and"saving the Earth" from the bad effects of technology as a high or a low priority in ourlives?