Name:___________________________
Period:___________
Date:____________
Graphing Motion
[Lab 3]
Points: ___________ / 100
Purpose
In this lab, you will collect and graph data pertaining to the motion of a constant velocity
car and determine its average velocity. Then, you will apply these principles to describe
the motion of an object as plotted on a graph.
Hypothesize
The car should travel with constant velocity. Using the blank template to the right, graph
what you think the motion of the car will look like.
Procedure
1. Use a small piece of tape to indicate a starting position on the ground.
2. Mark increments of 0.5 m from the starting position and label these positions #1-5.
3. Record the value of each of the 5 positions in the data table, relative to your starting line.
4. Place the car slightly behind the starting position. Turn the car on, and record the time it takes the car to travel to
each of the 5 positions. Make two measurements of time, recording their values and their average below.
Data
Position
Time 1
Time 2
Average Time
0m
0s
0s
0s
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Analysis
1. Plot the motion of the car on the graph using the average time, and draw a line of best fit.
2. Calculate the slope of the line and include units in your calculations. Show work below.
3. Using a green pencil, draw a line on the graph representing the motion of a faster car that starts at the origin and
travels the same displacement as the car you used in the lab.
4. Using a blue pencil, draw a line representing the motion of a slower car, that starts at the origin and travels for 3
seconds and then comes to a stop for the remainder of the time on the graph.
Conclusion
1. In general, on any “x vs. t” (position versus time) graph, what physics variable (displacement, distance, acceleration,
velocity, or time) does the slope of the line represent?
2. For the graph shown below, describe the motion of the object using: “stopped” or “constant velocity”. Also indicate
direction of motion using: moving forwards (+), or moving backwards (-).
Section
A
B
C
D
E
Extension
The graph to the right shows the position of an object with respect to time.
Use the graph to answer the questions that follow.
1. Draw a line connecting the positions at t = 0 s and t = 6 s. This line
represents the average velocity for that time interval. Find the average
velocity from t = 0 s to t = 6 s.
2. Find the average velocity of the object from t = 0 s to t = 14 s.
3. What is the displacement of the object from t = 0 s to t = 14 s?
4. What is the total distance traveled by the object from t = 0 s to t = 14 s?
Motion
Direction
The graph to the right shows the position of an
object with respect to time. Use the graph to
answer the questions that follow. Sections of
uniform motion are labeled “a-g” to help you
identify intervals.
5. For which interval(s) on the graph is the
object moving forwards?
6. For which interval(s) on the graph is the
object moving backwards?
7. For which interval(s) on the graph is the
object stopped?
8. What is the total distance traveled by the object from 0 to14 s? What is the object’s final displacement at 14 s?
9. Recall that “speed” is a measurement of distance traveled per time interval. What is the object’s average speed from
0-14s?
10. Recall that “velocity” is a measurement of displacement traveled per time interval. What is the object’s average
velocity from 0 to14s?
11. At t = 14s, the object begins moving again. It travels with a velocity of +10 m/s for 2 seconds. Use a green
pen/pencil to show this motion on the graph.
12. At t = 16 s, the object changes its motion. It moves with a constant velocity of -20 m/s for 4 seconds. Use a blue
pen/pencil to show this motion on the graph.
13. With a GREEN PENCIL, graph the following motion:
Object “A” starts at a position of 2.5 meters, and travels for 4 seconds at – 0.5 m/s. The object then stops for 3 seconds.
Lastly, it moves at +0.67 m/s for 2 seconds.
14. With a BLUE PENCIL, graph the following motion:
Object “B” starts at a position of 0.5 meters, and travels for 5 seconds at + 0.30 m/s. The object then decreases its speed
to +0.1 m/s for 5 seconds.
15. At what time(s) do the objects collide? How do you know?
16. For what time interval(s) are the objects traveling in the same direction? How do you know?
Taking it further…
1. Describe the motion displayed by the particle model below:
2. Use the particle model to create a data chart. Graph the data, and draw a line or curve of best fit.
Time (s)
Position (m)
3. Does the data produce a linear graph?
4. Name two ways in which you can tell this is NOT an object traveling at constant velocity?