Name: __________________________________
Period: ___________
Date:____________
“The Moving Man”
[Lab 4]
Points: __________ / 50
Introduction and Purpose
In this activity, you will explore the ideas of constant velocity and begin to explore the concept of ‘acceleration’. You will
also review position vs. time graphs and while being introduced to velocity vs. time graphs. You will compare how a
position vs. time graph and a velocity vs. time graph represent the same type of motion.
To Review:
At this point, you should understand some basic concepts in physics. You must know:
- The differences between distance and displacement, and speed and velocity
- Speed/velocity is constant when an object travels a uniform distance/displacement per time interval
- That acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes
Before you Begin:
Below shows five various position vs. time graphs. Using the graphs, rank each of the situations below from greatest to
least for the 10 second time interval displayed on the graph.
1. Displacement:
2. Distance Traveled:
3. Average Velocity:
4. Average Speed:
Part 1: Constant Velocity
Procedure
1. Through a web browser, navigate to http://phet.colorado.edu. Click "Play with Sims," then "Physics," then "Motion,"
then choose the "Moving Man" simulation. Click "Run now" to start the simulation. Your screen should display the
image shown above. Before collecting data, familiarize yourself with the features of the simulation.
2. There are two tabs for this simulation, called "Introduction" and "Charts." For today's activity, you will use the
"Introduction" tab. Reset all of the man's values to the following:
Position (this is the man’s initial position): -10.0 m
Velocity: + 2.5 m/s
Acceleration: 0 m/s2
3. Click “” to start the man in motion until he hits the wall, then hit “”to stop recording.
4. Use the playback feature to record the man's position (not distance or displacement) and velocity data.
Time (s)
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Position (m)
Velocity (m/s)
5. Plot your data in the graphs below:
Analysis (Part 1)
According to your graphs...
1. What shape is your position graph?
2. What is the slope of your position graph? Show ALL work.
3. Does your answer to #2 make sense? Why or why not?
4. What shape is your velocity graph?
5. Does your answer to #4 make sense? Why or why not?
Part 2: Constant Acceleration
Procedure
1. Reset all of the man's values to the following:
Position (this is the man’s initial position): -10.0 m
Velocity: 0 m/s
Acceleration: 0.5 m/s2
3. Click “” to start the man in motion until he hits the wall, then hit “”to stop recording.
4. Use the playback feature to record the man's position (not distance or displacement) and velocity data. You may
slow down the playback and pause when necessary to record the data.
Time (s)
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
5. Plot your data in the graphs below:
Position (m)
Velocity (m/s)
Analysis (Part 2)
According to your graphs...
1. What shape is your position graph?
2. Does your answer to #1 make sense? Why or why not?
3. What shape is your velocity graph?
4. Does your answer to #3 make sense? Why or why not?
5. What is the slope of your velocity graph?
6. Based on your answer to question #5, what must the slope of the velocity graph represent?
Making Connections
1. While the man is accelerating, describe what happens to his (a) position, and (b) velocity as each second passes.
2. What is the difference between an object with constant acceleration and an object with constant speed?
3. Complete the following sentences:
a) "The slope of a linear position graph tells us the _________________________ of the object."
b) "The slope of a linear velocity graph tells us the _________________________ of the object."
c) "For an object moving at a constant speed, we would expect to see a position graph with a
___________________ shape and a velocity graph with a ___________________ shape."
d) "For an object moving at a constant acceleration, we would expect to see a position graph with a
___________________ shape and a velocity graph with a ___________________ shape."