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Lab: Graph Matching Using Logger Pro: Background

Here is my analysis of the graph: (a) The person's position is constant at the beginning and end of the graph where the line is flat. This indicates they are not moving. (b) The person's velocity is constant during the middle section where the line has a constant slope, indicating a constant rate of change in position over time. (c) The person is accelerating at the beginning and end of the graph where the slope is changing, either from flat to a constant slope or vice versa. This shows a change in velocity over time. (d) The person is in dynamic equilibrium during the constant slope section, where their velocity is unchanged because the acceleration is zero as evidenced by the constant

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189 views4 pages

Lab: Graph Matching Using Logger Pro: Background

Here is my analysis of the graph: (a) The person's position is constant at the beginning and end of the graph where the line is flat. This indicates they are not moving. (b) The person's velocity is constant during the middle section where the line has a constant slope, indicating a constant rate of change in position over time. (c) The person is accelerating at the beginning and end of the graph where the slope is changing, either from flat to a constant slope or vice versa. This shows a change in velocity over time. (d) The person is in dynamic equilibrium during the constant slope section, where their velocity is unchanged because the acceleration is zero as evidenced by the constant

Uploaded by

K B
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lab: Graph Matching using Logger Pro

Background:
One of the most effective methods of describing motion is to plot graphs of distance, velocity, and acceleration vs. time.
From such a graphical representation, it is possible to determine in what direction an object is going, how fast it is moving,
how far it traveled, and whether it is speeding up or slowing down. In this experiment, you will use a Motion Detector to
determine this information by plotting a real time graph of your motion as you move across the classroom.

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 distance to the object; that is, its
position. 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 a graph. A qualitative analysis of the
graphs of your motion will help you develop an understanding of the concepts of kinematics.

Purpose: Materials:
 Analyze the motion of a student walking across the room.  Power Macintosh or Windows PC
 Predict, sketch, and test distance vs. time kinematics graphs.  Vernier Motion Detector
 Predict, sketch, and test velocity vs. time kinematics graphs.  LabPro or Universal Lab Interface
 meter stick
 Logger Pro
 masking tape

Pre-Lab Questions:
Sketch Graphs for the following
# d-t graph v-t graph
situations:

1 An object at rest

An object moving in the positive direction


2
with a constant speed

An object moving in the negative direction


3
with a constant speed

An object that is accelerating in the positive


4
direction, starting from rest
PROCEDURE
Part 1 Preliminary Experiments
1. Connect the Motion Detector to the DIG/SONIC 1 channel of the interface. If the Motion Detector has a sensitivity
switch, set it to Normal.
2. Place the Motion Detector so that it points toward an open space at least 4 m long. Use short strips of masking tape
on the floor to mark the 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, and 4 m positions from the Motion Detector.
3. Open the file “01a Graph Matching” from the Physics with Vernier folder.
4. Using Logger Pro, produce a graph of your motion when you walk away from the detector with constant velocity. To
do this, stand about 1 m from the Motion Detector and have your lab partner click . Walk slowly away from the
Motion Detector when you hear it begin to click. Sketch what it looks like below.
5. Sketch what the position vs. time graph will look like if you walk faster. Check your prediction with the Motion
Detector.
#4 #5

6. Try to match the shape of the position vs. time graphs that you sketched in the Preliminary Questions section by
walking in front of the Motion Detector.

Part 2 Position vs. Time Graph Matching


7. Open the experiment file “01b Graph Matching.” A position vs. time graph will appear.

8. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph. See Data table on next page.
9. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data collection by clicking .
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 computer screen.
10. If you were not successful, repeat the process until your motion closely matches the graph on the screen. Print out
the graph with your best attempt. (One for each member of your group)
11. Open the experiment file “01c Graph Matching” and repeat Steps 8–10, using a new target graph.
01b
Describe how you walked for each
1
of the graphs that you matched.
01c

Explain the significance of the slope


of a position vs. time graph. Include
2
a discussion of positive and negative
slope.

What type of motion is occurring


3 when the slope of a position vs. time
graph is zero?

What type of motion is occurring


4 when the slope of a position vs. time
graph is constant?

What type of motion is occurring


when the slope of a position vs. time
5 graph is changing? Test your
answer to this question using the
Motion Detector.

Part 3 Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching


12. Open the experiment file “01d Graph Matching.” A velocity vs. time graph will appear.
13. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph.
14. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start by clicking . 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 position graph. Print out your
best trial.
15. Open the experiment file “01e Graph Matching.” Repeat Steps 14–15 to match this graph.
16. Remove the masking tape strips from the floor.

01d
Describe how you walked for each
1
of the graphs that you matched.
01e

What type of motion is occurring


2 when the slope of a velocity vs. time
graph is zero?

What type of motion is occurring


when the slope of a velocity vs. time
3
graph is not zero? Test your answer
using the Motion Detector
Name:_____________________________

Conceptual Physics Lab: Graph Matching

Analysis

Based upon your experience and knowledge of the concepts of linear motion, explain the following for the graph below:
‘
(a) Identify regions on the graph where the person’s position is constant. Cite evidence.

(b) Identify regions on the graph where the person’s velocity is constant. Cite evidence.

(c) Identify regions on the graph where the person’s acceleration is constant. Cite evidence.

(d) Identify regions on the graph where the person is moving in dynamic equilibrium. Cite evidence to support your
claim(s).

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