Barbie Bungee Drop

Overview:  You will start by attaching 2 rubber bands to a Barbie doll's ankles and then measuring how far she will fall before rebounding.  Then add additional rubber bands and measure the drop.  Continue to add rubber bands and measure the drops, then create a mathematical model or equation that can predict the distance a Barbie doll will fall for a given number of rubber bands.  Last of all, a final bungee jump spot will be announced.  Using the prediction equation, determine the number of rubber bands to give Barbie the greatest thrill.  Let Barbie take the plunge, and see how well your prediction model worked.

(Disclaimer:  no Barbies were injured during the creation of this activity.  Other action figures such as Storm Troopers,  G.I. Joe may be substituted.)

Materials required:  Rubber bands, Barbie Dolls, yard sticks or measuring tapes.

Part 1:
Attach a rubber band to Barbie's ankles, winding around several times.  This will serve at the attachment point for the "bungee cord".  Make your bungee cord by attaching more rubber bands to the first one.  Stand Barbie at the edge of the drop, tilt her forward and let her go.  Measure the distance she falls on the first plunge.   Record the number of rubber bands and the distance she falls.  Create table to record your data, similar to the one below.

Number of Rubber Bands	2	4	6	8	10	12	etc.
Distance Fallen

Part 2:
Plot the information from your table on a graph.  Determine the equation that best fits your data.  Justify why you have chosen this to be the best equation.  Sketch and label your graph.

Part 3:
A location for the final bungee jump will be specified by your instructor.  Use your equation to determine the number of rubber bands to give Barbie the greatest thrill in this bungee jump.  This means she should come as close as possible to the ground without hitting her head.  When you have determined the number of rubber bands, make this bungee cord and let Barbie jump.

Part 4:
Write up the entire experiment.  Include the items below in your report:
1) A description of how you collected your data.
2) Data table
3) Graph of your data
4) Best-fit equation
5) Explanation of how you found this equation and why it is the best equation.
6) Calculations for Barbie's final jump.
7) Description of what happened on the final jump.
8) Conclusions:  What problems did you encounter?  What worked really well for you?  If you were to repeat the whole experiment what whould you do to improve it?