HP PHYSICS
THE MOVING MAN
Start a new page on your Lab Journal called THE MOVING MAN.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS:
Go to:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/moving-man
Select: RUN NOW
Select CHARTS tab.
Use the controls on the bottom to Pause, Step, or Record and Playback the motion.
You must select Record before you start an experiment if you want it saved.
If you want to make specific graphs to represent motion use Pause, then set the
parameters using the sliders, then press Play.
ACTIVITY DIRECTIONS:
 Use the simulation to complete the following scenarios.
 You do not have to write the scenario just label your set of graphs: SCENARIO 1.
 Enter your data and sketch what your graphs look like.
An example is given below.
SCENARIO 1.
Position - time graph
DATA
Velocity - time graph
DATA
Acceleration - time graph
DATA
SCENARIOS:
Scenario 1: The man starts three meters from the house and accelerates towards the
tree.
Scenario 2: The man starts close to the house, stands still for a little while, then walks
toward the tree at a constant rate for a while, then he slows to a stop.
Scenario 3: The man stands still while he talks on his cell phone at the middle of the
sidewalk, then walks toward the house at a constant rate trying to get better cell
reception. He comes to a sudden stop when the coverage is good (about a meter before
the house) and stands still to finish his conversation.
Scenario 4: The man begins at position zero, heading to the tree line for a picnic. He is
traveling at a constant velocity of 2 m/s for 4 meters when he senses danger and stops
in his tracks for five seconds. Paranoid, but not in danger, he recalls that he forgot
something at home. He turns around and goes back to his house at a constant rate of
5 m/s. He stops at his house for 3 seconds to retrieve the picnic basket. He leaves his
house very slowly, but realizes his friends are waiting for him so he accelerates at a rate
of 1.5 m/s2 until he gets to the tree line for the picnic.
Scenario 5: Make your own story with at least 4 different ‘legs’ to the trip.
Write down your scenario on the Journal and sketch your graphs as well.