Graphing Motion Lab
Purpose: (1pt) To construct a graph for the motion of an object and interpret results.
Materials: (1pt) Car, Small Board, Book(s), Stopwatch, Meter Stick, Tape, Calculator
Procedures:
1. Copy down the data table below (5pt):
Distance(m)
time 1(s)
time 2(s)
Average
Speed
Velocity
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
1
2 Slant the board by resting one end on top of the books. Only use as many as you need to have
the car reach the end of the ramp every time (same number of books for all distances).
3. Use the meter stick to mark off distances on the table or floor of 0.0m, 0.25m, 0.50m, 0.75m,
and 1.00m away from the lower edge of the ramp.
 Use small pieces of tape to mark each distance.
4. Place the car at the top of the ramp and practice rolling it down the ramp and timing how
long it will take to reach each tape mark.
5. Release the car and begin timing when the car reaches the end of the ramp. Stop the timer
at the tape mark for each distance and enter it into the data table.
6. Repeat step 6 for each distance, and complete two trials for each distance. Record the data in
your data table. Calculate average speed (add times and divide by 2) for each distance.
7. Calculate the speed for each distance. *speed = distance / avg time (distance divided by time)
Questions and Conclusion:
1. (2 points) Define the following terms: speed (mathematically) and velocity.
2. (5pt) Make a graph showing the motion of the car. Place distance on the y-axis and the time
on the x-axis. Use as much of the graph paper as possible – remember title, labels and units!
3. (1pt) What happens to the speed of the car as time passes (as it gets to the far end of the
meter stick)? If you’re not sure, allow the car to go beyond one meter and see what happens.
4. (2pt) Does your data and graph show the change of speed, from beginning to end? Explain
5. (1pt) What should the graph do if you included times 2 sec and 3 sec?
6. (2pt) Choose 2 of your 3 questions and answer them in complete sentences.
Reminder: Utilize proper graphing techniques. These include giving your graphs and labeling your axes