Name
AP Physics 1
Period
Date
Kinematics: Speeding Up and Slowing Down
Six different scenarios follow in which a low friction car moves along a track. You will first observe each of
the motions. You will then predict and sketch the position vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs. Check your
predictions using the motion sensor.
1. Downhill, moving away from motion sensor
Observe the motion of the cart starting from rest and rolling down the incline without using the motion detector.
b. Record the graphs as displayed by the motion detector.
position
position
a. Predict the graphs describing the
motion.
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
acceleration
acceleration
velocity
velocity
Slope represents velocity
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents acceleration
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents rate of ∆ of acceleration
c) Is the position positive or negative?
d) Does the direction of the position change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
e) Is the velocity positive or negative?
f) Does the direction of the velocity change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
g) Is the acceleration positive or negative
h) Does the direction of the acceleration change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
2. Uphill, moving away from motion sensor
First observe the motion of the cart slowing after an initial push without using the motion detector. Answer the
following questions for the cart while coasting (after the push is over).
Give the cart an initial push up the ramp.
b. Record the graphs as displayed by the motion detector.
position
position
a. Predict the graphs describing the
motion.
Stop the cart at
its highest point.
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents velocity
acceleration
acceleration
velocity
velocity
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents acceleration
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents rate of ∆ of acceleration
c) Is the position positive or negative?
d) Does the direction of the velocity change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
e) Is the velocity positive or negative?
f) Does the direction of the velocity change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
g) Is the acceleration positive or negative?
h) Does the direction of the acceleration change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
3. Downhill, moving toward motion sensor
Observe the motion of the cart starting from rest and rolling down the incline without using the motion
detector.
b. Record the graphs as displayed by the motion detector.
position
a. Predict the graphs describing the
motion.
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents velocity
acceleration
velocity
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents acceleration
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents rate of ∆ of acceleration
c) Is the position positive or negative?
d) Does the direction of the position change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
e) Is the velocity positive or negative?
f) Does the direction of the velocity change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
g) Is the acceleration positive or negative?
h) Does the direction of the acceleration change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
4. Uphill, moving toward motion sensor
Catch the cart at its highest
point on the ramp.
b. Record the graphs as displayed by the motion detector.
position
position
a. Predict the graphs describing the
motion.
Give the cart an initial push up the ramp.
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
acceleration
acceleration
velocity
velocity
Slope represents velocity
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents _____________
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents rate of ∆ of acceleration
c) Is the position positive or negative?
d) Does the direction of the position change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
e) Is the velocity positive or negative?
f) Does the direction of the velocity change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
g) Is the acceleration positive or negative?
h) Does the direction of the acceleration change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
5. Up and down the ramp, motion sensor at the bottom
Give the cart an initial push up the ramp.
Catch the cart after it goes up and back down the ramp.
b. Record the graphs as displayed by the motion detector.
position
a. Predict the graphs describing the
motion.
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, zero, and negative
Slope represents velocity
acceleration
velocity
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents acceleration
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents rate of ∆ of acceleration
c) Is the position positive or negative?
d) Does the direction of the position change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
e) Is the velocity positive or negative?
f) Does the direction of the velocity change? Yes
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
g) Is the acceleration positive or negative
h) Does the direction of the acceleration change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
6. Up and down the ramp, motion sensor at the top
Catch the cart after it goes up
and down the ramp
b. Record the graphs as displayed by the motion detector.
position
a. Predict the graphs describing the
motion.
Give the cart an initial push up the ramp.
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is neg., zero, then pos.
Slope represents velocity
acceleration
velocity
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents acceleration
Slope is (circle one)
constant, increasing or decreasing
Slope is
positive, negative or zero
Slope represents rate of ∆ of acceleration
c) Is the position positive or negative?
d) Does the direction of the position change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
e) Is the velocity positive or negative?
f) Does the direction of the velocity change? Yes
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow
g) Is the acceleration positive or negative?
h) Does the direction of the acceleration change? No
If so, indicate when on the observed graph with an arrow