Bottle Flip Parabola

May 8, 2017

1 min read

Students often have misconceptions about the parameters of a quadratic relation and mix up the different formats of the quadratic equation. They are prone to making mistakes in obtaining the right information (x-intercept, y-intercept, vertex (x,y) and a value) from the different forms of quadratic relations. The Bottle Flip Parabola Activity engages the student group that gets instant gratification over insta-famous, mastering the fidget spinner and achieving the perfect bottle flip... they are not only motivated to get the right flip, but are connecting the co-ordinates obtained from the flip to the accurate form of the quadratic relation. Prior to the bottle flip, students are made aware with the DESMOS Baton activity that it is the centre of gravity of the water filled bottle that we must watch for as that's what will have a projectile parabola and not the lid or the bottom of the bottle.

This is the student's challenge:

'Bottles will be flipped in class with a grid as a background to determine the quadratic equation of the bottle-flip. The contestant with neat flip will win the bottle-flip championship. In the instance of more than one neat landing, parabola with the highest vertex or widest x-intercepts will be considered and left for judge’s final decision.'