Name: ____________________________________ Physics CP Date: ____________ Graph Matching Lab Graph Matching One of the most effective methods of describing motion is to plot graphs of position vs. time and velocity vs. time. From these graphs, it is possible to determine in what direction an object is going, how fast it is moving, how far it traveled, and whether it is speeding up or slowing down. In this experiment, you will use a Motion Detector to determine this information by plotting a real time graph of your motion as you move across the classroom. A qualitative analysis of the graphs of your motion will help you develop an understanding of the concepts of kinematics. walk back and forth in front of Motion Detector OBJECTIVES Analyze the motion of a student walking across the room. Predict, sketch, and test position vs. time kinematics graphs. Predict, sketch, and test velocity vs. time kinematics graphs. MATERIALS Computer Vernier computer interface Logger Pro Vernier Motion Detector meter stick masking tape PROCEDURE Part l Preliminary Experiments 1. Connect the Motion Detector to the DIG/SONIC 1 channel of the interface. Connect the interface to the top USB port of the computer. 2. Place the Motion Detector so that it points toward an open space at least 4 m long. Use a meter stick to locate the 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, and 4 m positions from the Motion Detector. Place short strips of masking tape on the floor to mark these positions. 3. Open the Logger Pro Program on your computer. Click Open File and open the Physics With Vernier folder, Double-click the file “01a-Graph Matching”and begin the experiment. 4. Using Logger Pro, produce a position vs. time graph of your motion when you are at rest. To do this, stand about 1 m from the Motion Detector and have your lab partner click . The Motion Detector begins recording data when you hear it begin to click. Sketch the position vs. time graph you produced for an object at rest on the axes below. position time 5. Repeat Step 4, but walk away from the detector at a constant velocity. On the axes below, sketch what the position vs. time graph looks like if you walk away at a constant velocity. position time 6. Repeat Step 4, but accelerate away from the detector. On the axes below, sketch what the position vs. time graph looks like if you accelerate away. position time Part Il Position vs. Time Graph Matching 1. Open the file “01c-Graph Matching” A position vs. time graph will appear. 2. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. To test your prediction, carefully choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data collection by clicking . When you hear the Motion Detector begin to click, walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the computer screen. 4. Were you successful the first time? _______ What changes did you need to make so your motion closely matched the graph on the screen? ___________________________________________________________________ Show your teacher your graph when you are successful. Teacher’s Initials: ________ ANALYSIS Part II Position vs. Time Graph Matching 5. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is zero? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 6. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is constant? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 7. What is the difference in motion when the slope of a position vs. time graph is negative, rather than positive? _____________________________________________________ 8. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is changing? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 9. In general, what does the slope of a position vs. time graph tell you about the object’s motion? ______________________________________________________________ PROCEDURE Part IIl Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching 1. Open the file “01d-Graph Matching” A velocity vs. time graph will appear. 2. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. To test your prediction, carefully choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data collection by clicking . When you hear the Motion Detector begin to click, walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the computer screen. 4. Were you successful the first time? _______ What changes did you need to make so your motion closely matched the graph on the screen? ___________________________________________________________________ Show your teacher your graph when you are successful. Teacher’s Initials: ________ ANALYSIS 5. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is zero? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 6. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is not zero? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 7. What is the different between a positive and a negative velocity as shown on the velocity vs time graph?_____________________________________________________________ 8. How would you know that an object is at rest, just by looking at its velocity vs. time graph? _________________________________________________________________________ 9. In general, what does the slope of a velocity vs. time graph tell you about the object’s motion? __________________________________________________________________ Procedure Part IV Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching 1. Open the file “01e-Graph Matching” A velocity vs. time graph will appear. 2. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph. _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ________ 3. To test your prediction, carefully choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data collection by clicking . When you hear the Motion Detector begin to click, walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the computer screen. 4. Were you successful the first time? _______ What changes did you need to make so your motion closely matched the graph on the screen? ___________________________________________________________________ Show your teacher your graph when you are successful. Teacher’s Initials: ________ Analysis 5. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is zero? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 6. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is not zero? at rest constant velocity acceleration (circle one) 7. How would you know that an object is at rest, just by looking at its velocity vs. time graph? _________________________________________________________________________ 8. What is the difference in motion when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is negative, rather than positive? _________________________________________________________ 9. In general, what does the slope of a velocity vs. time graph tell you about the object’s motion? __________________________________________________________________