31 Mar The links above contain the materials you will need to calculate the speed of a Dinosaur using the measurements of foot size, stride length and the Alexander formula. This will allow you t
The links above contain the materials you will need to calculate the speed of a Dinosaur using the measurements of foot size, stride length and the Alexander formula. This will allow you to demonstrate your progress toward acquiring math skills,used in everyday life, by using graphs, simple computations such as averaging scale and metric conversions and formulas, to accomplish a task,
The briefing document should be read completely before starting.
The Footprint Comparison document will allow you to determine from the shape of the footprints, which type of dinosaur you are dealing with by comparing the the pictures illustrated on the footprints for exercise document.
The dimensionless speed graph will be used once you have calculated the relative stride length.Note the graph is rotated such that the X axis is across the top and the Y axis is to your Left.If youprint it out than simply rotate it so that the X axis is to the left and Dinmensionless speed is at the bottom.Find the relative stride lenght you calculated on the Y axis, read(draw a line horizontal to the X axis until you touch the Diagonal line on the graph (do not use the example shown, this is just for illustration). Now read strait dowm to the X axis (at the bottom) that is your value for dimensionless speed.
The final document, the Trackway Data Sheet is what you will record your calculations on and submit for grading
Trackway Exercise Briefing
Instructions to be read carefully before beginning:
Requirements for this exercise:
1. Calculator that has a square root function probably on your phone or computer.
The items below can be found in the trackway assignment in the Trace Fossils Folder
2. Trackway Data Sheet (this is what you will submit for the exercise)
5. Track Correlation document
6. Dimensionless Speed Graph
Procedure details on the math computations will be found on the Data Sheet.
1. Identify the track maker by comparing your trackway to those in the Track Correlation document supplied. Write your choice in the space provided.
2. The values of the trackway and footprints are given in mm. at a scale of 1:9. This means that the actual trackway and footprints are 1:9th the size of actual tracks and trackways in real life.
3. You will average the results of several then measure the size of the footprints and stride lengths since tracks may differ slightly in size due to physical, depositional or preservation variables.
4. All measurement taken in mm. initially will be converted to cm. (centimeters) and a Correction for scale is also required.
5. Bold #s in parentheses are to be put on the corresponding numbered lines on the extreme right of the worksheet.
6. When determining the stride length, as with the foot size measurements, the average is taken from the values given. One stride length is the linear distance from toe tip to toe tip (or heal to heal) for the same foot ( not left foot to right foot)
7. Once the average stride length has been determined and you have entered a value for it in # 8________, you may proceed to do the remaining calculations.
The purpose of the exercise is three-fold: to illustrate how speed determinations that appear in textbooks and videos are carried out in the field by paleontologists, to assess your quantitative literacy (one of the ISLO’s for this course) and to illustrate the importance of reading and following written instructions carefully and completely when attempting something new and/or unfamiliar .
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Fig. 7.6 Footprint comparison for the various groups of Dinosaurs
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Sample footprints of track maker for comparison to those in Fig, 7.6
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