In This Issue:
The Caliper V14 #1 Cover
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
CBL™ News
Workshops & Contests
Bits & Bytes
Science Humor

New Products:
New Motion Detector
Lower Priced Sensors
Exercise Heart Rate Monitor
Instrumentation Amplifier
Ion Selective Electrodes
Rechargeable Battery Pack
Logger Pro Books
CBR™
TI-86

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Vernier Software and Texas Instruments Form Alliance

Calculator-Based Ranger (CBR)
If you teach math, physical science or physics, and don't have a CBL™, you may want to consider the new CBR -- the least expensive and easiest way to collect motion data in your classroom (order code CBR, $95). The CBR is unique because it collects distance, velocity, and acceleration data while connected directly to a TI Graphing Calculator, so you don't need the CBL. Equally important is that the CBR contains built-in programs. You send programs directly from the CBR to the calculator, so you don't need a TI-GRAPH LINK™. Other important features include the following:

• The CBR is built with a pivoting head, making it easy to set up experiments.
• A manual trigger button lets you collect data on demand or while detached from the calculator.
• It comes with a versatile, detachable clamp.
• Students can repeat data collection quickly by pressing just one button.
• It works with TI-82, TI-83, TI-85, TI-86, and TI-92 calculators.0
• The CBR can also be connected to a CBL (extra cable required).
• The built-in program supports popular activities, such as Distance Match.

CBR Workbooks
The CBR comes with an introductory workbook of five activities. Two additional workbooks are available:

• Math and Science in Motion: Activities for the Middle School (TI-MCBR, $14):
  This book by Chris Brueningsen, Elisa Brueningsen, and Bill Bower contains twelve activities for the TI-82 or TI-83 with the CBR. Students explore graphs of distance vs. time as they move toward and away from the CBR. Students also study bouncing objects, acceleration due to gravity, and pendulum motion.
• Modeling Motion: High School Math Activities with the CBR (TI-HCBR, $14):
  This book by Linda Antinone, Sam Gough, and Jill Gough contains fifteen activities using the CBR with the TI-82 or TI-83. Activities in algebra, pre-calculus, and physics include linear, quadratic, and exponential regression and projectile motion.

TI-GRAPH LINK Cable
If you are collecting and analyzing data with the CBL and a TI Graphing Calculator, you know how important it is to have a TI-GRAPH LINK. The GRAPH LINK is the easiest way to get programs onto the calculator and to get data into the computer. When first starting with CBL, most teachers buy at least one GRAPH LINK . But when it is time to buy another cable or a replacement, we get several questions, such as: "Why does it cost so much ($55)?" "Can I find a cheap, replacement cable at an electronics store?" "Can I build my own cable?" Let's start with the last two questions. No, Radio Shack doesn't have a replacement. The problem is that the GRAPH LINK is not just a cable, like the cable connecting a VCR and TV. It's actually a "protocol converter"; that is, it's like a modem. It allows the calculator and computer to talk. No, don't try to build one. It's more complex than you would think. When you look at the cable, you'll see a small, flat, rectangular box near the computer end of the cable. This housing contains a circuit board with 54 components. Be forewarned that a homemade cable may burn up your calculator or even damage your computer. Also, the calculator warrantee is void if damaged by a homemade cable. Considering that you are getting a reliable, simple, and safe connection to the computer, the GRAPH LINK is worth the investment.

TI-86
The newest addition to the line of CBL-compatible calculators is the TI-86. This calculator has all the functions of a TI-85, but it has been enhanced to make it more versatile and easier to use. Like the TI-85, this calculator was designed primarily for college math, science, and engineering, but it will work well in upper-level high school science and math courses. We like it because it has more than three times the memory of the TI-85. You can store all of our CBL programs on one calculator and have plenty of room to collect data. In addition, data are now displayed in a list editor, like the TI-82 and TI-83. The Trace feature makes it easy to read data directly from a graph.

TI-86 calculator TI-86 $115 Graphical Analysis with TI-92 and TI-86
It has taken us a while, but now you can import data from TI-92 calculators into our Graphical Analysis programs (Macintosh or Windows). This feature supports importing lists and data set variables from the TI-92. If you have the new TI-86, you'll also be able to import into these two programs. Graphical Analysis for Macintosh 2.0 and Graphical Analysis for Windows now support importing data from TI-82 through TI-92 calculators. Contact us about an upgrade.

A TI-92 and CBL blasted off into space aboard the space shuttle Discovery in August with an experiment put together by students at Mayo HS in Rochester, Minnesota. In the experiment, students wanted to see how weightlessness would affect the growth of fava beans. The TI-92 and CBL came into play very early in the experiment when they had to power up and water the beans to start the growing process after the space shuttle passed 50,000 feet. After that, the CBL recorded temperatures in three areas of the container to verify that the heaters worked properly. The heaters were needed to keep the beans around 55°F, where they grow the best.

Everything worked perfectly. The CBL turned on and ran, the valves all opened to water the beans, and the heaters and thermostats all worked to keep the beans warm. The TI-92 retained the temperature recordings until the container made it back to the high school and the data could be downloaded into the computer. At press time, we have not yet seen the final biological results. You might watch for information on the TI web page at http://education.ti.com/us/about/press/release/bean.html.