Graph Matching
Velocity Graph Matching
Objectives
● Analyze the motion of a student walking across the room.
● Predict, sketch, and test distance vs. time kinematics graphs.
● Predict, sketch, and test velocity vs. time kinematics graphs.
Preliminary questions
- Use a coordinate system with the origin at far left and positive distances increasing to the right. Sketch the velocity vs. time graph for each of the following situations:
● An object at rest
● An object moving in the positive direction with a constant speed
● An object moving in the negative direction with a constant speed
● An object that is accelerating in the positive direction, starting from rest
Procedure
Part 1 Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching
1. Connect the motion detector to the calculator. The program should begin automatically.
2. Describe how you would walk to produce the target graph above. Record your prediction here.
3. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data collection. 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 than it was for the distance graph. Your goal should be to make squiggly lines that follow the blue line on screen. Show your graph to the teacher!!
4. This time, make note of where you started, and where you ended. Now, Repeat Steps 2-3 to match this graph.
5. Repeat steps 2-3 for the following graph.
Analysis
1. Describe how you walked for each of the graphs that you matched.
2. Using the velocity vs. time graphs, sketch the distance vs. time graph for each of the graphs that you matched.
3. What does the area under a velocity vs. time graph represent? Think about it. Write down your thoughts.
4. For your last velocity graph, use the mouse to “highlight” your velocity data. Then click on the integrate button (the button on the toolbar that has a squiggly line with a shaded area beneath it). This will have the software find the area under the curve. Record what the software states is the area under the curve.
5. Measure the distance from your starting point to your ending point. Record this distance here.
6. How do the numbers for the area under the curve compare to your measured change in position?
7. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is zero?
8. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is not zero? Test your answer using the Motion Detector.