KINEMATICS EXPLORATORY

Gunn Physics

INTRODUCTION:

The study of motion is a key concept in Physics. The simplest motions to describe are the motions of objects traveling in a straight line. In this lab you will study the motion of an object traveling in a straight line using one of our interfaces. Each group will have a relatively unique combination of object and interface, but all groups are linked by having the ability to acquire and analyze data about the motion of objects.

OBJECTIVES:

Develop a familiarity with an interface and how it is used to study the motion of objects.
Utilize the analysis tools in the interface program to describe the position vs time, speed vs time, and acceleration vs time for the specific object.
Prepare and present an oral report on your experimentation.
Learn from the other groups' experiences.

APPARATUS:

Computer or Graphing Calculator
Interface
Software
Motion Sensor
Object which moves

PROCEDURE:

Boot up your computer or start your graphing calculator. Search out the program needed, then launch it.
Make a few trial runs with your moving object to develop your group coordination.
Carry out the investigation that has been suggested to you.

ANALYSIS:

Write a short description of your object's motion. Be as specific as possible.
Match your description to the graphs you obtain from your data collection. How does each graph's shape match up with your description? Are there any details in the data that you missed in your description?
Relate the shape of each graph (d vs t, v vs t, a vs t) to the shape of the others. Are there any general patterns?
If your graph has a straight line segment, find the slope. What does this slope represent? What does this graph mean?

REPORT:

Prepare a 5-minute oral presentation, complete with visual aids, to describe your experiment and its findings. Use part of your presentation to describe the operation of your interface, it's apparent strengths and weaknesses, ease of use, etc.

EXPERIMENTAL CONFIGURATIONS

Group	Computer	Interface	Object	Program
1	Apple IIe	Smart Pulley	Cart w/ Hanging Weight	Smart Pulley Timer
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? How do the graphs change if you use a larger hanging mass?
2	Macintosh	ULI + Motion Detector	Fan Cart	MacMotion
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? How do the graphs change if you rotate the fan to a 30° angle?
3	PC	ULI + Motion Detector	Pull-back Mercedes	Logger Pro
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What is the effect of pulling the car back a greater distance?
4	PC	PASCO 500 + Motion Detector	Fan Cart	Science Workshop
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? How do the graphs change if you put additional mass on the fan cart?
5	PC	MPLI + Motion Detector	PASCO Lab Cart on Incline, bouncing from brick	MPLI for Windows
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Acceleration vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us?
6	PC	ULI + Motion Detector	Paramedic Vehicle	Logger Pro
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Acceleration vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us?
7	TI-82	CBL+ Motion Detector	PASCO Lab Cart on Incline - pushed upwards initially	GENMOTN2
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? How do the graphs change if you make the incline steeper?
8	TI-82	CBL+ Motion Detector	Fan Cart	GENMOTN2
What does the Distance vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? What does the Velocity vs Time Graph look like? What does it tell us? How do the graphs change if you rotate the fan to a 30° angle?
9	TI-82	CBL+ Motion Detector	PASCO Lab Cart on Incline (constant speed)	GENMOTN2
Adjust the slope so the cart goes at a constant speed when released near the top. How do you know the speed is constant? What is the effect of giving the cart a different initial speed?
10	none	Photogate Timer	PASCO Lab Cart on Incline	none
Generate a Position vs Time Graph and a Velocity vs Time Graph.
11	none	Digital Timer	Dropped Ball - distance vs time	none
Generate a Distance vs Time Graph for a dropped ball. What is the shape of this graph? What is the equation? What is the significance of the numerical constants?

Updated 9/14/97