Name: _______________________________________
PhET The Moving Man Simulation
The Moving Man Simulation
Answer the questions in bold-faced type as you follow the directions for the PHET “The Moving Man”. If the simulation is
not already open, open the PHET folder, click on Simulations; in the left column, find Motion and click on this; then find
“The Moving Man” simulation and click on it. If using the simulation online, go to http://phet.colorado.edu and once the
PhET webpage opens, select: Play with the Sims  Physics Motion  The Moving Man 
1.
2.
3.
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The simulation should open up with the Man standing at the
origin, 0 m. If not, click on the Reset All button in the bottom
right corner of the screen.
Click on the Charts tab at the top left of the screen. The
simulation screen should look like this.
Check the numbers on the y-axis of the Acceleration graph. If
the numbers on the graph range from 60 to -60, click on the
magnifying glass with the plus sign on it near the upper right
hand corner (near the red minus sign) until the numbers on the
graph go down to about 4.7 to -4.7.
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6.
Positive Velocity and Positive Acceleration
Remove the walls by clicking on the red X on one of the walls.
Type a -10 in the Position box, a 2 in the Velocity box, and a 2 in the Acceleration box.
Press the Play button on the bottom of the screen. Record the motion of the Moving Man for 4 seconds and press the
Pause button on the bottom of the screen.
7.
Draw the Position – Time graph.
8.
In what direction (positive or negative) does the Moving Man move?
9.
How would you describe the shape of the Position – Time graph? In what direction (up, down, left, right) does
the graph open?
10. Draw the Velocity – Time graph.
11. Describe (positive, zero, negative; constant, variable) the slope of the Velocity – Time graph?
12. Draw the Acceleration – Time graph.
13. Describe (positive, zero, negative; constant, variable) the slope of the Acceleration – Time graph?
Physics – Casao
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PhET Moving Man Simulation
14. The slope of a Velocity – Time graph is the acceleration. Does the slope of the Velocity – Time graph match the
number in the Acceleration - Time graph?
15. What happens with the displacement of the Moving Man and the velocity of the Moving Man if the velocity is
positive and the acceleration is positive?
Positive Velocity and Negative Acceleration
16. Press the Reset All button and select Yes. Type a 0 in the Position box, a 6 in the Velocity box and -2 in the
Acceleration box.
17. Check the numbers on the y-axis of the Acceleration graph. If the numbers on the graph range from 60 to -60, click
on the magnifying glass with the plus sign on it near the upper right hand corner (near the red minus sign) until the
numbers on the graph go down to about 4.7 to -4.7.
18. Press the Play button on the bottom of the screen. Record the motion of the Moving Man until the Moving Man stops
and begins to turn around and press the Pause button on the bottom of the screen.
19. Draw the Position – Time graph.
20. In what direction (positive or negative) does the Moving Man move?
21. How would you describe the shape of the Position – Time graph? In what direction (up, down, left, right) does
the graph open?
22. Draw the Velocity – Time graph.
23. Describe (positive, zero, negative; constant, variable) the slope of the Velocity – Time graph?
24. Draw the Acceleration – Time graph.
25. Describe (positive, zero, negative; constant, variable) the slope of the Acceleration – Time graph?
Physics – Casao
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PhET Moving Man Simulation
26. The slope of a Velocity – Time graph is the acceleration. Does the slope of the Velocity – Time graph match the
number in the Acceleration - Time graph?
27. What happens with the displacement of the Moving Man and the velocity of the Moving Man if the velocity is
positive and the acceleration is negative?
28. Press the Play button again and allow the Moving Man to continue his motion. Press the Pause button to stop the
Moving Man’s motion just before he reaches the brick wall.
29. Draw the Position – Time graph.
30. In what direction (positive or negative) does the Moving Man move?
31. What is the position of the Moving Man at t = 6 s?
32. Draw the Velocity – Time graph.
33. Did the slope of the Velocity – Time graph change?
34. When the Velocity – Time graph crosses the x-axis at t = 3 s, what does this mean?
35. After t = 3 s, is the Moving Man speeding up, slowing down, or does his velocity remain constant?
36. Draw the Acceleration – Time graph.
37. Did the slope of the Acceleration – Time graph change?