Create Experiments

In Fathom, an experiment is a collection to which meters or sliders can be attached for the purpose of collecting data, typically from an external source such as a temperature sensor, microphone, or voltmeter. External probes are represented in Fathom by meters. For example, you can create a meter associated with a temperature sensor immersed in a pot of water in order to collect the temperature of the water. Experiments can also collect data from sliders, keypresses, or values you type into the collection. Experiments automatically provide the time each case was collected. You can analyze the data collected in an experiment just as you analyze the data contained in any other collection.

There are many different ways to use experiments in the classroom. Here are some examples:

Light: Capture a waveform. Use a light sensor to analyze the differences in intensities in light from an LCD monitor, fluorescent lighting, a candle, and sunlight.

Temperature: Compare the cooling rates of different liquids such as oil, water, and soda. Compare changes in temperature relative to changes in density. Compare the heating and cooling curves for different liquids.

Velocity and Acceleration: Roll different objects through photogates on ramps. Compare differences in acceleration relative to mass, height of ramp, inclination of ramp, and distance rolled.

Events and Timers: Record the number of cars passing a house next to a school. Compare the distributions of arrivals just before and after school and during the day.