Turn in one lab sheet per group. Write all names below:
Name_____________________________Name______________________
Period ____
Name____________________________ Name
MOTION EXPERIMENT #1
Grading Note to Students: Your grade will be based upon two components: 1) a group grade
for turning in a single lab sheet; and 2) an individual grade based upon your motion match
performance for the DT and VT graphs (record your results on this sheet).
UNDERSTANDING SLOPE
In this experiment, you will use a LabQuest and a Motion Detector to produce graphs of your
own motion. A Motion Detector measures the distance to the nearest object in front of it by
emitting and receiving pulses of ultrasound. The LabQuest computer will graph your position,
velocity, and acceleration. You will analyze your graphs to understand how the mathematical
slope of a graph is related to physical concepts such as velocity and acceleration.
OBJECTIVES
In this experiment, you will
 Use a LabQuest and a Motion Detector to measure distance and velocity.
 Use a LabQuest to produce graphs of your motion.
 Analyze your motion graphs to understand the meaning of slope.
 Match the motion graphs produced by the Labquest
MATERIALS
LabQuest2
Vernier Motion Detector
Physical Science with Vernier
35 - 1
Motion Experiment #1
DAY 1 PROCEDURE
Part I. Making your own Distance vs Time Graph
1. Set up the Labquest:
a. Plug the motion sensor into the DIG1 input on the top of the
Labquest (under the rubber flap).
b. Set the Motion Detector switch to walk, as shown on the right. Connect the Motion
Detector to DIG 1 of LabQuest and choose New from the File menu.
c. Touch the On the Meter screen, tap Duration, and then change the data-collection
length to 30 seconds. Select OK.
d. Touch the position number on the meter screen. Change units to ft.
e. Open the hinge on the Motion Detector. When you collect data, hold the
Motion Detector as shown, so the round, metal detector is always pointed
directly at the wall.
2. Make your DT graph:
a. Find an open area at least 10 feet long in front of a wall. Use the tiles as a
coordinate system to find your starting distance of 10’ away from the wall
(each tile is 12”x12”).
b. One person will walk with the motion Detector while carefully holding the Labquest
as shown in the picture. The Motion Detector will be measuring your position from
the wall while you walk.
Motion Detector folded
c. Take a starting position 10 feet in front of the wall.
open over Labquest
d. Signal your partner to start data collection.
e. When the fast clicking begins, walk to wall, stop for 3 seconds, and then walk
backwards to your starting position.
f. After data collection is complete, a graph of position vs. time will be displayed.
Discuss the results with your partners.
g. Press the file cabinet icon to store your run.
h. Repeat Step steps a-f walking more quickly this time.
i. Touch the Notepad in the upper right corner and make notes about each run.
j. Save your file with this protocol: Motion Lab1_last name_P5
2. Analyzing DT Slope:
a. Go to the Analyze menu:
a. Slope Method 1 – use a linear curve fit to find slope from y=mx + b
b. Slope Method 2 - use the Tangent from one point on the curve
b. Find your walking speed in each direction using DT slope values above and the velocity
value. Make sure you make your analysis only during the walking phase.
Summarize your results in the table below.
Mr. Rosato’s Physical Science
2
Motion Experiment #1
Walking (write the
numbers for fast &
slow)
Slope/Speed Value
from DT Curve fit
(Ft/sec)
Slope/Speed Value
from DT
Tangent/slope fit
VT Velocity value
(Ft/sec)
(Ft/sec)
Forward Walking
Slow
Backwards Walking
Slow
Fast
Fast
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
DAY 2 PROCEDURE
Part II. Analyzing a Velocity vs Time Graph
a. Change the Labquest graph display so you see VT and AT graphs (touch the y-axis
label).
b. Start at least 10 feet away from the wall. Can you go farther back and read an
accurate position?
c. One person will run toward the wall while holding both the motion sensor and the
Labquest. Make sure that the motion Detector always faces the wall while you run.
d. Press the file cabinet icon to store your run.
Repeat Step steps a-d running slower this time
Analyzing Acceleration:
Find your acceleration for both runs using the same methods as above on the VT and AT
graphs. Make sure you make your calculations during the accelerating phase.
Summarize your results in the table below.
Walking (write the
Acceleration from
numbers for fast &
VT curve fit slope
slow)
(Ft/sec2)
Acceleration from
tangent/slope of
VT graph
Forward Running
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
Backwards Running
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
Slow
Fast
Mr. Rosato’s Physical Science
(Ft/sec2)
Acceleration from
AT graph
(Ft/sec2)
3
Motion Experiment #1
DAY 3 PROCEDURE
I.
Test Your Skills:
DT MOTION MATCH
Each member of the group will perform a DT motion match and analyze their own data by filling
in the table below. This will be the individual portion of your grade. Your initials next to your
name confirm that you did your own work. Team members can help each other, but you must
do your own walking and error analysis.
Procedure: Match a position vs. time graph.
a. Choose Motion Match ► New Position Match from the Analyze menu. A target graph
will be displayed for you to match.
b. Examine the graph and plan what you will do to match it. Discuss how you would walk to
produce this target graph.
c. Choose your starting position in front of the Motion Detector.
d. Have your partner start data collection.
e. Move according to your plan.
f. Examine the graph of the results.
g. If you would like to try matching the same graph again, hit the “Play” triangle to start data
collection again when you are ready to stalk walking. After you have tried twice, compare
your results with the “Match” graph and fill in the data table below. YOU MUST MAKE
YOUR ERROR CALCULATIONS RIGHT AFTER EACH PERSON FINISHES
YOUR MATCH (the motion match graph canot be saved)!
Repeat Steps a-g so everyone in your group has a chance to match a position vs. time graph. Note:
Each person should use a different graph to match: choose Motion Match ► New Position
Match, and a new target graph will be displayed.
DT MOTION MATCH RESULTS
Compare your graph to the one you tried to match Calculate your percent error in the table below
using this formula:
% ERROR = [│YOUR VALUE - MATCH VALUE │÷ MATCH VALUE] X 100
Record your results and analyze your data here:
Write
End Position % error in
names
End Position
& initial You Match
below
Mr. Rosato’s Physical Science
Total Time
You Match
% error
in Total
Time
Average
Speed
% error in Average
Speed
You Match
4
Motion Experiment #1
II.
Test Your Skills:
OPTIONAL VT MOTION MATCH
Each member of the group will perform a VT motion match and analyze their own data by filling
in the table below. This will be the individual portion of your grade. Your initials next to your
name confirm that you did your own work. Team members can help each other, but you must
do your own walking and error analysis.
Procedure: Match a position vs. time graph.
a. Choose Motion Match ► New Velocity Match from the Analyze menu. A target graph
will be displayed for you to match.
b. Examine the graph and plan what you will do to match it. Discuss how you would walk to
produce this target graph.
c. Choose your starting position in front of the Motion Detector.
d. Have your partner start data collection.
e. Move according to your plan.
f. Examine the graph of the results.
h. If you would like to try matching the same graph again, hit the “Play” triangle to start data
collection again when you are ready to stalk walking. After you have tried twice, compare
your results with the “Match” graph and fill in the data table below.
g.
Repeat Steps a-g so everyone in your group has a chance to match a velocity vs. time graph. Note:
Each person should use a different graph to match: choose Motion Match ► New Velocity
Match, and a new target graph will be displayed.
VT MOTION MATCH RESULTS
Compare your graph to the one you tried to match Calculate your percent error in the table below
using this formula:
% ERROR = [ (YOUR VALUE - ACTUAL VALUE) ÷ ACTUAL VALUE] X 100
Record your results and analyze your data here:
Write
End Velocity % error in
names
End Velocity
& initial You Match
below
Mr. Rosato’s Physical Science
Total Time
You Match
% error
in Total
Time
Average
Velocity
You Match
% error in
Average Accelerat
5
Motion Experiment #1
POST LAB
UNDERSTANDING THE DATA
1. Draw the two DT graphs you made in Part I on Day 1. Tell the story for each line and label
what each part of the graph shows.
2. What is the definition of velocity?
3. Explain the relationship between the slope of a DT graph and a value on a VT graph.
Mr. Rosato’s Physical Science
6
Velocity
Motion Experiment #1
Time
4. Draw the two VT graphs you made in Part II on Day 2. Tell the story for each line and label
what each part of the graph shows.
5. What is the definition of acceleration?
Velocity
6. Explain the relationship between the slope of a VT graph and a value on an AT graph.
Time
7. Sketch a velocity vs. time graph for a person who walks, stops for a few seconds, and then
starts to run.
Mr. Rosato’s Physical Science
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