Physics 500
Name:__________________________________
Creating and Analyzing Motion from Position vs Time graphs
Some of these questions will require you to use your data table, while others refer to the graphs you
produced. Explain your work or reasoning and show steps clearly for full credit for each question.
1. Based on the shape of your graphs for trials 1 through 2, identify who was able to maintain a nearly
constant velocity. Explain why.
2. Find the average speed for the entire motion of each data trial collected. Identify if the graphical
motion shows constant or changing motion. Explain how you can do this by using the data table
AND the graph.
3. Find the average velocity for the entire motion of each of data trial collected. Identify if the
graphical motion shows constant or changing motion. Explain how you can do this by using the data
table AND the graph.
4. For trials 1 and 2, calculate the slope of the best fit line for each graph. Compare the slope to the
average velocity you calculated in step 3 above.
5. Looking at the graph for trial 3, during what time interval(s) was the student moving at a constant
velocity velocity? Which interval was fastest, slowest or even zero? Identify and explain how the
graphical data presents these regions.
6. Using the collected data determine the average velocity over each of the regions identified in #5.
7. Use the graph for trial #4 and determine if the moving individual had a constant velocity or a
changing velocity. Explain how and why you determined your answer.