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Try This 1
Open Pistons. The applet shows parts of two different engines, each with a different type of connecting rod. The dimensions of the two mechanisms are the same. Drag the blue dot upward to see the pistons move.
- How is the motion of the two pistons similar? How is the motion different?
- Pay attention to the motion of the pistons. What causes the slight difference in height at some points?
- When are the two pistons the same height? When is the difference in their heights the greatest?
- Sketch piston height versus time for both pistons on the same graph. Your sketch does not need to include any numbers. Assume both crankshafts are rotating at a constant rate.
Save your answers in your course folder.
Share 1
With a partner or group, discuss the following questions based on your graph created in Try This 1.
- How are the two graphs similar? How are they different?
- When the crankshafts are rotating at a constant rate, the height versus time function is the same shape as y = sin x for only one of the two systems. Which system is the shape of y = sin x? Explain your choice.
If required, save a record of your discussion in your course folder.