Name ______Per. _____

Graph Matching

The Motion Detector measures the time it takes for a high frequency sound pulse to travel from the detector to an object and back. Using this round-trip time and the speed of sound, you can determine the position of the object. Logger Pro will perform this calculation for you. It can then use the change in position to calculate the object’s velocity and acceleration. All of this information can be displayed either as a table or graph. An analysis of the graphs of your motion will help you understand kinematics, the study of motion without reference to force or mass.

Materials

Name ______Per. _____

Computer w/Logger Pro software

Logger Pro (with AC adaptor)

Vernier Motion Detector

Meter stick

Masking tape

Name ______Per. _____

PartI. – Four Basic Movements

  1. Open the file “01a Graph Matching” from the Physics with Vernier folder.
  2. Using Logger Pro, produce a graph of your motion for each description below. Have your partner click the “collect” button when you are ready. Draw your graphs(Position vs. Time) for each description below:

A.Standing at the 2 m tape mark. B. Moving in positive direction with constant speed.

C.Moving in negative direction with constant speed. D. Accelerating in positive direction, starting from rest.

Part II.– Matching Position vs. Time Graphs

  1. Open the experiment file “01b Graph Matching”. A position vs. time graph will appear.
  2. Draw the graph it gave you. Think about how you would walk to produce this target graph. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start by clicking the “collect” button. When you hear the Motion Detector begin to click, walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the screen.
  3. Compare your line on the graph to the targetline. Use a different color to draw your line on the same graph.
  4. Do another graph by opening “01c Graph Matching.”. Record your data on the graphs below:

A. 01b Graph MatchingB. 01c Graph Matching

Part III. Matching Velocity vs. Time Graphs

  1. Open experiment file “01d Graph Matching.” A velocity vs. time graph will appear.
  2. Draw the target graph they gave you. Think about how you would walk to produce this target graph. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start by clicking the “collect” button. When you hear the Motion Detector begin to click, walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the screen. It will be more difficult to match the velocity graph that it was for the position graph.
  3. Compare your line on the graph to the target line. Use a different color to draw your line on the same graph.
  4. Do another graph by opening “01e Graph Matching.”. Record your data on the graphs below:

A. 01d Graph MatchingB. 01e Graph Matching


Analysis

  1. Explain the significance of the slope of a position vs. time graph. Include a discussion of positive and negative slope.
  1. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is zero?
  1. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is constant?
  1. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is changing?
  1. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is zero?
  1. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is NOT zero?

Extra Time & Credit?

Create a position vs. time graph by walking in front of the Motion Detector. Store your graph by choosing “Store Latest Run” from the Experiment menu. Have another student match your run.