Name ____________________________________ Date __________________
Graphing Your Motion
Computer
33
Graphs made using a Motion Detector can be used to study motion. In this experiment, you will
use a Motion Detector to make graphs of your own motion.
OBJECTIVES
In this experiment, you will




Use a Motion Detector to measure position
Use a LabQuest to produce graphs of your motion.
Analyze the graphs you produce.
Match position vs. time graphs by moving your body
PROCEDURE – check off each step as you do it.
Part A Position
1. Find the masking tape on the floor that marks the 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, and 4 m positions from a
wall. You will be measuring your position from the Motion Detector in your hands to the
wall.
2. Connect the Motion Detector to DIG 1 of LabQuest then turn on the LabQuest.
3. On the Meter tab, tap Length, then change the data-collection length to 10 seconds. Select
OK.
4. Select the graph tab. Tap “Graph”, then “Show graph” and select “Graph 1”. Your screen
should show a position vs. time graph like this:
5. Open the hinge on the Motion Detector. When you collect data, hold the Motion Detector so
the round, metal detector is always pointed directly at the wall. Sometimes you will have to
walk backwards.
6. Graph your motion by following these steps:
a. Take a starting position one meter in front of the wall.
b. Face the wall and hold the LabQuest and motion detector in front of you.
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Graphing Your Motion
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c. Press the collect (play) button. When the fast clicking begins, walk slowly away from
the wall (backwards) to a distance of three meters and stop.
d. Sketch your line on Graph 1.
7. Repeat Step 5 for the other partner if you would like.
Graph 1
3.0
Key
Slow
Fast
8. Repeat Step 6 walking faster this time. Add this line to Graph 1. You should have 2 lines on
your graph.
9. Teacher check point. Get teacher initials or stamp before continuing. ___________
10. Describe how the two lines on your graph look different. _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
11. Why are the lines different? ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
12. How would the graph change if you started at 3 meters and walked toward the wall rather
than away from it? Write your prediction here:
____________________________________________________________________________
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Name ______________________________________________ Date ___________________________
13. Sketch your prediction on this graph.
3.0
Key
Prediction
Test
14. Test your prediction for questions 12 and 13 by using the motion detector and LabQuest.
Sketch the line on the same graph as your prediction line.
15. Teacher check point. Get teacher initials or stamp before continuing. ___________
16. Why does the graph slope down? _______________________________________
17. Match a position vs. time graph.
a. Go to the Analyze menu. Choose Motion Match ► New Position Match. A target
graph will be displayed for you to match.
b. Examine the graph and plan how you will walk to match it.
c. Take your starting position in front of the Motion Detector.
d. Press the collect button.
e. Move to match the graph.
f. Examine the graph of the results and answer the following questions:
g. What direction did you move to match an upward sloping line?
___________________________________________________
h. What direction did you move to match a downward sloping line?
______________________________________________________
i. What is happening to the distance when the line slopes downward?
___________________________________________________
j. What is happening to the distance when the line slopes upward?
_____________________________________________________
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Graphing Your Motion
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18. Try again if you want or move on to the next step.
19. Repeat the motion match (step 17) so that everyone in your group has a chance to match a
position vs. time graph.
20. Sketch a position vs. time graph for a car that starts slowly, drives away from a house, stops
at a stop sign, and then starts slowly again. Add units to the axis labels.
A Car’s position over time
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Name ______________________________________________ Date ___________________________
Graphing Your Motion Quiz
Use your worksheet from the Graphing Your Motion Lab
1. What is the manipulated variable and unit in the motion graphs?
a. Position (m)
c. Time (s)
b. Motion
2. What is the responding variable in the motion graphs?
a. Position (m)
c. Time (s)
b. Motion
3. If the line slopes upward, how is the position changing?
a. The distance between the objects is increasing
b. The distance between the objects is decreasing
c. The distance between the objects is staying the same
4. If the line slopes downward, how is the position changing?
a. The distance between the objects is increasing
b. The distance between the objects is decreasing
c. The distance between the objects is staying the same
5. If the line is flat, how is the position changing?
a. The distance between the objects is increasing
b. The distance between the objects is decreasing
c. The distance between the objects is staying the same
6. If you move faster, how does the line change?
a. It becomes steeper
b. It becomes less steep
c. It doesn’t change
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