Experiment # 1
Describing Motion: Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration
Objective
The objectives of this experiment are:
• To familiarize yourself with the 750 Interface System and Data Studio software,
• To improve your graphing techniques,
• To study motion and the related equations.
Introduction
Motion can be described using words, diagrams, numerical information, equations and graphs.
Describing motion with graphs involves representing how a quantity such as the object’s
position can be changed with respect to the time or its velocity change with time. A motion
sensor is used to acquire all the motion graphs. In this experiment, however, we will perform
the movements (Figure 1) required to acquire the appropriate graph.
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Figure 1 A schematic of the motion sensor and an object showing the direction of movement to
be made by student.
It is important to note that since velocity and acceleration are vector quantities, the direction of
motion is essential in our activities. The target indicator on the motion sensor flashes when the
transducer detects a reflection or an echo, you should therefore keep an eye on the computer
when collecting data.
Material and Apparatus
Motion sensor, 750 Interface System, meter stick, students
Experiment
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Definition of shorten terms: -
+ direction: – positive direction
- direction: – negative direction
- velocity: – negative velocity
+ velocity: – positive velocity
- accel’n – negative acceleration
+ accel’n – positive acceleration
Part I - Practicing
To Connect to a PASCO Interface
• Connect the Motion Sensor's yellow plug to DIGITAL INPUT 1or 3 (Digital Channel 1 or 3) of
the 750 interfaces. Connect the black plug to DIGITAL INPUT 2 or 4 (or Digital Channel 2 or
4).
• Use the USB cable to connect the interface to the computer (do not connect the cable to the
monitor).
• Plug in the interface to the electrical outlet and turn it on ( there is a switch on the back of the
interface)
• Open the Data Studio and click “Create experiment”.
• Click ‘Set Up’ on the left and ‘Experiment Set Up’
window appears.
• Click ‘Choose interface’- a new window will appear.
Click the option for Science Workshop 750, click ‘ok’.
The image of Interface 750 appears in the ‘Set Up’
window.
• On ‘Experiment set up’ window click on the ‘Add
Sensor or Instrument’ tab, a sub window will appear.
• Make sure to click the downward cursor & choose the
Science Workshop Digital / Analog sensor option. A list of sensor options will appear, choose
the motion sensor icon and click OK.
• In experimental set up select distance (position) vs. time axes.
• Place the motion sensor on the table and let one of your colleagues stand in front it
• Click on the start button and let the person walk towards and away from the sensor at different
walking speeds and observe the distance– time graphs that have been created. Sketch your graphs on
the axes.
• When you are asked to save the file, answer no. Selecting the collect button will automatically
replace the first file.
• Perform and sketch the commands labeled A and B below. Plot the graphs with lines/curves to
the given description. Print and attach them with your lab report.
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NOTE: Some of the actions might be impossible, but in such cases do explain
why
A Remaining at rest A Moving slow A Moving in +direction
B Moving B Moving fast B Moving in –direction
Position
Position
Position
Time Time Time
A Moving with a +ve vel & a +ve B Moving with a +ve vel & a -ve
accel'n accel'n
Position
Position
Time Time
Part II – Prediction:
Predict and sketch the following actions/movements in the datasheet for part II
A Moving with a constant speed in +direction A Moving in +ve direction and speeding up
B Moving with a constant speed in - direction B Moving in -ve direction and speeding up
Position
Position
Time Time
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A Moving in +direction, first fast then slow. A Moving with –ve velocity and –ve acceleration
B Moving in – direction, first fast then slow B Moving with –ve velocity and +ve acceleration
Position
Position
Time Time
Part III - Verification:
Design an experiment to perform all the descriptions in the predictions you made in part II to
verify your predictions and compare your results with your answers in part II. Print your
outcome and attach it to your report.
Part IV - Tracing:
1. Position Time graphs
Position
Position
Position
0 0 0
Time Time Time
Position
Position
Position
0 Time 0 Time 0 Time
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2. Velocity Time graphs
Part V – Describing:
Write a written description of the graphs below.
a)
b)
Position
Position
0 0
Time Time
c) d)
Position
Position
0 0
Time Time
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Part VI – Calculations
Use the position – time and velocity – time graphs below to answer the subsequent questions in
the datasheet for part VI.
a) b)
20 20
Position
Position
10 10
0 0
1. 3. 5. 1. 3. 5.
Time Time
c) d)
8 8
Velocity
Velocity
(m/s)
(m/s)
4 4
0 0
3 9 15 1. 3. 5.
Time 0 Time0 0
(s) (s)
e) f)
16 4
Velocity
Velocity
(m/s)
(m/s)
8 2
0 0
1 3 5 2 6 10
Time Time
(s) 13
(s)
Datasheet
Lab---- Describing Motion------
Student name-------------------------------
Partner ------------------------------------
Part I- practicing
Attach the graphs for the five cases mentioned.
Part II- Prediction:
Predicted time vs position graph below.
A Moving with a constant speed in +direction A Moving in +ve direction and speeding up
B Moving with a constant speed in - direction B Moving in -ve direction and speeding up
A Moving in +direction, first fast then slow. A Moving with –ve velocity and –ve accel’n
B Moving in – direction, first fast then slow B Moving with –ve velocity and +ve accel’n
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Part III - Verification:
Attach the graphs for this part.
Part IV - Tracing:
Print and attach position vs time graphs and the velocity vs time graphs for this part as you traced
them with data studio.
Part V – Description:
a)
b)
c)
d)
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Part VI – Calculations
Q1) Determine the velocity of the position – time graphs a) and b)
a)
b)
Q2) Find the displacement of the objects represented in the velocity – time graphs c) through f).
c)
d)
e)
f)
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