Objective

The objective of this project is to conduct an experiment used to determine the

most ideal type of foam that can be used in Taekwondo sparring . The foam needs to be
able to resist the most impact and absorb the most energy. The foam will be tested in dry
and moist conditions.

Procedure
• Conducting Experiment
1. Attach a tall metal rod to the table using a clamp. Measure the weight of
the wooden Weight.
2. Using another clamp attach the PASCO motion sensor to the desired
height. This height should be about 2-3 inches above the opening of the
acrylic cylinder. Connect the Motion detector to the computer.
3. Open Data Studio program on the on computer. Make sure the program is
collecting data at its maximum frequency. Place a piece of foam into the
acrylic base.
4. Pull the wooden weight to the top of the cylinder. Start the program and
release the weight. Record all data points until the wooden weight stops
moving.
5. Using the program convert the position versus time data points to
acceleration versus time data points.
6. Repeat step 4 with the moistened foams.
Below is a picture that shows how the equipment should be set up
 • Acquiring Data
1. For each foam, save all the data points onto notepad. Copy and paste all
the data points onto excel. Line up the time, position and acceleration data
points.
2. To determine the energy absorbed by the foam. Graph Position vs.
Time and analyze the graph.
3. For most foams, the graph should look similar to this:

Cusp (Initial deflection)

Where the graph levels out
(position at which the weight first
hits the foam)

4. On the graph search for a cusp right before the first dip of the graph and
determine the value as the position levels out. Find these points using the
excel graph. Scroll down and look for the point on the data list. Take all
the data points (including acceleration) when the position is between the
the cusp value and the leveling out value.

Data Point Selection

5. These are the data points in which the wooden block is on the foam.
Graph the Position versus Acceleration of these data points. Using the
 trapezoidal rule, calculate the area under the curve. This value is the
energy absorbed by the foam.
6. To determine the damping Ratio. Determine the height of the first and
second dip of the Position vs Time. To calculate the damping ratio divide
the height of the second dip by the height of the first dip.

Safety Analysis

There are no considerably dangerous equipment used in our lab project.

Equipment

Material Price Source

Home
Wooden Weight 1.41 Depot
Tap
Acryllic Cylinder 6.45 Plastics
Tap
Acryllic Base 40.08 Plastics
Tap
Acryllic Glue 4.2 Plastics
Pasco Motion Sensor N/A N/A