PLC Activity #2
One-dimensional Motion
Due: see website for due date
How to get credit for this activity
First, sign-in at the computer and sign-out when the activity is complete. Show your work and results to a PLC tutor so they can check your work and initial the signoff sheet. Be prepared to answer questions about the activity or your results.
Practice Physlets
Open up the PLC webpage in Internet Explorer, click on the Mechanics Physlets on the left side of the webpage, select the Physlet problem Chapter 2.3 and accept the Java warning by clicking to “run this time”. Do the following Physlet Physics exercises and answer the questions listed.
1. Physlet Problem 2.3
Which helicopter files according to the velocity vs. time graph shown? Write your answer on your whiteboard.
2. Physlet Problem 2.9
The animation simulates the motion of a helium balloon with the effect of air resistance neglected. A graph of y velocity vs. time for the balloon is also shown.
a. Is the y velocity increasing, decreasing, or constant?
b. Is the y acceleration increasing, decreasing, or constant?
c. What is the acceleration of the balloon?
3. For each of the following motions, draw (i) a motion diagram and (ii) both position & velocity graphs.
a. A car starts from rest, steadily speeds up to 40 mph in 15 s, moves at a constant speed for 30 s, and then comes to a halt in 5 s.
b. A pitcher winds up and throws a baseball with a speed of 40 m/s. One-half second later, the batter hits a line drive with a speed of 60 m/s. The ball is caught 1 s after it is hit. From where you are sitting, the batter is to the right of the pitcher. Draw your motion diagram and graphs for the horizontal motion of the ball.
2.1