Experiment 2

MOTION - I

PROCEDURE

A. Distance-Time Graphs

To begin data taking, open the Motion-I link.  A Position vs. Time graph will appear in the LoggerPro window. In the steps below, partners should alternate in performing the motions and controlling Collect-Stop in alternate graphing activities (7 in all).

Graph 1: Walking slowly and steadily away from the detector

1.  Stand about 0.5 meter from the detector, have your partner click Collect, and walk away from the detector slowly and steadily. Practice this a few times until you can generate a relatively smooth graph.

2.  Copy the graph by selecting EDIT...COPY from the LoggerPro menu bar.

3.  Open the Motion-I Workbook and fill in the header information. Put the cursor in cell A10.

4.  Paste the copied graph into the Worksheet by selecting EDIT...PASTE from the menu bar.

5.  Resize the graph to make it fit within a box encompassing cells A10...E23 on the Worksheet.

NOTE: To do this, first select the graph by pointing and clicking once anywhere inside the outlined box containing the graph. "Handles" (small squares) will appear on the outline to indicate that it has been selected. Grab the lower right handle and, while holding down the shift key, move the pointer to resize the box as necessary. The entire box may be moved by clicking anywhere inside it and dragging the outlined image to the desired location.

6.  Answer Questions 1 through 3 on the Worksheet.

 

Graph 2: Walking medium fast and steadily away from the detector.
7.  Repeat the above procedure, but this time walk medium fast and steadily away from the detector.

8.  COPY and PASTE this graph into cells A27...E39 of the Worksheet.

9.  Answer Questions 4 through 7 on the Worksheet.
 

Graph 3: Walking slowly and steadily toward the detector
10.  Prepare a third graph by walking slowly and steadily toward the detector. In this case, start as far as you can from the detector and still get reliable results.

11.  COPY and PASTE this graph into cells A52...E64 on the Worksheet.

12.  Answer Questions 8 through 10 on the Worksheet.
 

Graph 4: Walking medium fast and steadily toward the detector
13.  Prepare a fourth graph by walking medium fast and steadily toward the detector.

14.  COPY and PASTE this graph into cells A68...E80 on the Worksheet.

15.  Answer Questions 11 through 14 on the Worksheet.

B. Making Predictions
1.  Predict the Position vs.Time graph that would result if you:
 
  • start at the 1-meter mark
2.  Sketch your prediction on the blank graph provided Section B of the Worksheet.

To make the sketch:

First activate the Shapes Palette by selecting Insert → Shape... from the main toolbar at the top. Then page down or select Lines and Connectors from the palette drop-down menu.

Select one of the line drawing tools from the palette by clicking the mouse on it and then draw your prediction on the graph using the mouse. (See the Note below.) When you finish, your line will appear with "handles". If acceptable, click anywhere off the line. If not, delete the line by pressing the delete key while the line is selected (handles showing), reselect the line drawing tool, and redraw the line.


NOTE: Straight-line segments can be made with the Straight Line tool: . Click at the starting point of the line and release at the ending point. (Straight lines can be made horizontal or vertical by pressing the shift key while moving the mouse.) The Curve tool, , creates a smooth curve through the points you select by clicking the mouse. (Double click to finish.) The Scribble tool, , draws a line following movements exactly while the mouse is depressed.


3.  Compare your prediction with that of your lab partner. Discuss your predictions with each other and resolve any differences.

4.  Now do the experiment. Both you and your lab partner should move as described in step B.1 above. When you are satisfied that you have the motion right, set up the LoggerPro detector and collect the data for this graph. COPY and PASTE the LoggerPro graph into cells A110...E123 of the Worksheet.

5.  Answer Question 15 on the Worksheet.

C. Matching a Position vs. Time Graph
1.  A specific Position vs. Time graph has been duplicated for you in Section C.1 of the Worksheet. Review this graph and decide on the motions necessary to make each segment.

2.  Click on the Distance.Match link.  To activate the Collect button again, under the EXPERIMENT menu select Connect Interface.

3.  Now move so that you duplicate the graph. Try a number of times until you match the graph as closely as possible. Everyone in the group should get a turn. Note the critical times and positions in the figure before you begin.

4.  When you are satisfied with the result, COPY and PASTE your resulting graph in cells A152..E164 of the Worksheet.

5.  Answer Question 16 on the Worksheet.
 

D. Other Position vs. Time Graphs
1.  Remove the Distance.Match graph from the LoggerPro screen by selecting Delete Data Set...Latest from the DATA Menu.

2.  One partner should make up his/her own position vs. time graph using straight lines and no curves. Sketch the graph on the blank set of axes provided for this purpose in Section D of the Worksheet. (Recall Step B.2 above about using the drawing tools.)

3.  Now try to duplicate the graph through actual movement. After you are satisfied with the results, COPY and PASTE your LoggerPro result in cells A194..E209 of the Worksheet.

4.  When you have completed the Worksheet you can print out your results by selecting FILE....PRINT from the Menu, and use it for completing your lab report.