Constant Velocity Particle Model Worksheet 1:
Motion Maps and Position vs. Time Graphs
1. Given the following position vs. time graph, draw a motion map with one dot for each second.
Position vs. Time
4
3
0m
2
5m
+
1
0
0 1
2 3 4 5 6
time (seconds)
7 8
Describe the motion of the object in words:
2. Given the following motion map, where positions have been recorded with one dot each second,
draw a position vs. time graph.
Position vs. Time
0m
5m
+
time (seconds)
Describe the motion of the object in words:
©Modeling Instruction Program 2009
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Constant Velocity ws 1
3. Consider the position vs. time graph below for cyclists A and B.
a. Do the cyclists start at the same point? How do you know? If not, which is ahead?
b. At t= 7s, which cyclist is ahead? How do you know?
c. Which cyclist is traveling faster at 3s? How do you know?
d. Are their velocities equal at any time? How do you know?
e. What is happening at the intersection of lines A and B?
f. Draw a motion map for cyclists A and B.
0m
+
©Modeling Instruction Program 2009
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Constant Velocity ws 1
4. Consider the position vs. time graph below for cyclists A and B.
a. How does the motion of the cyclist A in this graph compare to that of A in question 3?
b. How does the motion of cyclist B in this graph compare to that of B in question 3?
c. Which cyclist has the greater speed? How do you know?
d. Describe what is happening at the intersection of lines A and B.
e. Which cyclist has traveled further during the first 5 seconds? How do you know?
f. Draw a motion map for cyclists A and B.
0m
+
©Modeling Instruction Program 2009
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Constant Velocity ws 1
5. To rank the following, you may need to look at the key ideas sheet for the difference between
displacement and odometer reading.
A
x (m)
B
x (m)
C
x (m)
25
10
5
0
0
x (m)
10
0
10 t (s)
D
x (m)
0
10 t (s)
0
E
10 t (s)
0
F
x (m)
10
15
5
3
0
0
10 t (s)
0
10 t (s)
0
0
0
3
10 t (s)
a. Rank the graphs according to which show the greatest displacement from the beginning to the
end of the motion. (Zero is greater than negative, and ties are possible.)
Greatest 1________ 2________ 3________ 4________ 5________ 6________ Least
Explain your reasoning for your ranking:
b. Rank the graphs according to which show the greatest odometer reading from the beginning
to the end of the motion.
Greatest 1________ 2________ 3________ 4________ 5________ 6________ Least
Explain your reasoning for your ranking:
©Modeling Instruction Program 2009
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Constant Velocity ws 1
6. Sketch velocity vs. time graphs and motion maps corresponding to the following descriptions of
the motion of an object.
a. The object is moving in the positive direction at
a constant (steady) speed.
Motion Map:
0m
+
time
b. The object is standing still.
Motion Map:
0m
+
time
c. The object moves in the negative direction at a
steady speed for 10s, then stands still for 10s.
Motion Map:
0m
+
time
d. The object moves in the positive direction at a
steady speed for 10s, reverses direction and moves
back toward the negative direction at the same
speed.
Motion Map:
0m
time
+
©Modeling Instruction Program 2009
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Constant Velocity ws 1