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Motion Graph Analysis Experiment

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10 views6 pages

Motion Graph Analysis Experiment

Uploaded by

Chris Basag
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Graphical Analysis 14

Graph Matching
One of the most effective methods of describing motion is to plot graphs of position, 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, the
distance to the object is calculated. This is the position of the object relative to the sensor. The
change in position is then used to calculate the object’s velocity and acceleration. All of this
information can be displayed in a graph. A qualitative analysis of the graphs of your motion
will help you develop an understanding of the concepts of kinematics.

OBJECTIVES
l Analyze the motion of a student walking across the room.
l Predict, sketch, and test position vs. time kinematics graphs.
l Predict, sketch, and test velocity vs. time kinematics graphs.

CHOOSE A METHOD
Method 1: Bluetooth Connection–Use Method 1 if you are using a mobile device, such as a
tablet or a phone, and connecting to a Go Direct Motion via Bluetooth. You will hold the
motion detector and measure your position and velocity relative to a wall.

Method 2: USB Connection–Use Method 2 if you are using a computer or Chromebook, and
are connecting the motion detector via USB. You will measure your position and velocity
relative to a stationary motion detector.

MATERIALS
Required for both Method 1 (Bluetooth connection) and Method 2 (USB connection)
Graphical Analysis app
Go Direct Motion
meter stick
masking tape
Required for Method 1 only Required for Method 2 only
(Bluetooth connection) (USB Connection)
mobile device computer or Chromebook

Vernier Experiment Sampler © Vernier Science Education 14 - 1


Experiment 14

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
1. Below are four position vs. time graphs labeled (i) through (iv). Identify which graph
corresponds to each of the following situations and explain why you chose that graph.
a. An object at rest
b. An object moving in the positive direction with a constant speed
c. An object moving in the negative direction with a constant speed
d. An object that is accelerating in the positive direction, starting from rest

2. Below are four velocity vs. time graphs labeled (i) through (iv). Identify which graph
corresponds to each of the following situations. Explain why you chose that graph.
a. An object at rest
b. An object moving in the positive direction with a constant speed
c. An object moving in the negative direction with a constant speed
d. An object that is accelerating in the positive direction, starting from rest

PROCEDURE
Method 1 Bluetooth Connection
Part I Preliminary Experiments
1. Find an open area at least 2 m long in front of a wall. Use short strips of masking tape on
the floor to mark distances of 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, and 2 m from the wall. You will be
measuring your position from the motion detector in your hands to the wall.
2. Launch Graphical Analysis. Connect the motion detector to your mobile device.
3. Click or tap Mode to open Data Collection Settings. Change End Collection to 5 s. Click or
tap Done.

14 - 2 © Vernier Science Education Vernier Experiment Sampler


Graph Matching

4. Monitor the position readings and practice walking toward the wall holding the motion
detector and mobile device. During data collection, the sensor portion of the motion detector
should always point directly at the wall as shown in Figure 1. Sometimes you will have to
walk backwards. Confirm that the position values make sense as you move back and forth.

Figure 1
5. Make a graph of your motion while you walk away from the wall with constant velocity. To
do this, stand about 0.5 m from the wall and click or tap Collect to start data collection.
Slowly walk backward away from the wall after data collection begins.
6. Examine the graph. Sketch a prediction of what the position vs. time graph will look like if
you walk faster. Check your prediction with the motion detector. Start data collection when
you are ready to begin walking. Note: The previous data set is automatically saved.
Part II Position vs. Time Graph Matching
7. Click or tap Graph Tools, , and choose Add Graph Match. Choose Position. A position
target graph is displayed for you to match.
8. Describe how you would walk to reproduce the target graph.
9. To test your prediction, choose a starting position. Start data collection, then walk in such a
way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the screen.
10. If you were not successful, start data collection again when you are ready to begin walking.
Repeat this process until your motion closely matches the graph on the screen. Export, print,
or sketch the graph with your best attempt showing both the target graph and your motion
data.
11. To perform a second position graph match, click or tap Graph Tools, , choose Add Graph
Match, and then Position. Repeat Steps 8–10.
12. Answer the Analysis questions for Part II before proceeding to Part III.
Part III Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching
13. Graphical Analysis can also generate random target velocity graphs for you to match. Click
or tap Graph Tools, , and choose Add Graph Match. Choose Velocity to view a velocity
target graph.

Vernier Experiment Sampler © Vernier Science Education 14 - 3


Experiment 14

14. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph. Sketch or print a copy of the
graph.
15. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data
collection, then walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph.
It is more difficult to match the velocity graph than the position graph.
16. If you were not successful, start data collection again when you are ready to start walking.
Repeat this process until your motion closely matches the graph on the screen. Export, print,
or sketch the graph with your best attempt showing both the target graph and your motion
data.
17. To perform a second velocity graph match, click or tap Graph Tools, , choose Add Graph
Match, and then Velocity. Repeat Steps 14–16.
18. Remove the masking tape from the floor.
19. Proceed to the Analysis questions for Part III.

Method 2 USB Connection with Computers or Chromebooks


Part I Preliminary Experiments
1. Place the motion detector so that it points toward an open space at least 2 m long. Use short
strips of masking tape on the floor to mark distances of 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, and 2 m from the
motion detector.
2. Launch Graphical Analysis. Connect the motion detector to your Chromebook or computer.

3. Click or tap Mode to open Data Collection Settings. Change End Collection to 5 s. Click or
tap Done.
4. Monitor the position readings and practice walking toward the motion detector. Sometimes
you will have to walk backwards. Confirm that the position values make sense as you move
back and forth.

Figure 2

14 - 4 © Vernier Science Education Vernier Experiment Sampler


Graph Matching

5. Make a graph of your motion while you walk away from the motion detector with constant
velocity. To do this, stand about 0.5 m from the motion detector and click or tap Collect to
start data collection. Slowly walk backward away from the motion detector after data
collection begins.
6. Examine the graph. Sketch a prediction of what the position vs. time graph will look like if
you walk faster. Check your prediction with the motion detector. Start data collection when
you are ready to begin walking. Note: The previous data set is automatically saved.
Part II Position vs. Time Graph Matching
7. Click or tap Graph Tools, , and choose Add Graph Match. Choose Position. A position
target graph is displayed for you to match.
8. Describe how you would walk to reproduce the target graph.
9. To test your prediction, choose a starting position. Start data collection, then walk in such a
way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the screen.
10. If you were not successful, start data collection again when you are ready to begin walking.
Repeat this process until your motion closely matches the graph on the screen. Export, print,
or sketch the graph with your best attempt showing both the target graph and your motion
data.
11. To perform a second position graph match, click or tap Graph Tools, , choose Add Graph
Match, and then Position. Repeat Steps 8–10.
12. Answer the Analysis questions for Part II before proceeding to Part III.
Part III Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching
13. Graphical Analysis can also generate random target velocity graphs for you to match. Click
or tap Graph Tools, , and choose Add Graph Match. Choose Velocity to view a velocity
target graph.
14. Describe how you would walk to produce this target graph. Sketch or print the graph.
15. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point. Start data
collection, then walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph.
It is more difficult to match the velocity graph than the position graph.
16. If you were not successful, start data collection when you are ready to start walking again.
Repeat the process until your motion closely matches the graph. Export, print, or sketch the
graph with your best attempt showing both the target graph and your motion data.
17. To perform a second velocity graph match, click or tap Graph Tools, , choose Add Graph
Match, and then Velocity. Repeat Steps 14–16.
18. Remove the masking tape from the floor.
19. Proceed to the Analysis questions for Part III.

Vernier Experiment Sampler © Vernier Science Education 14 - 5


Experiment 14

ANALYSIS
Part II Position vs. Time Graph Matching
1. Describe how you walked for each of the graphs that you matched.
2. Explain the significance of the slope of a position vs. time graph. Include a discussion of
positive and negative slope.
3. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is zero?
4. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is constant?
5. What type of motion is occurring when the slope of a position vs. time graph is changing?
Test your answer to this question using the motion detector.
Part III Velocity vs. Time Graph Matching
6. Describe how you walked for each of the graphs that you matched.
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.

EXTENSIONS
1. Create a graph-match challenge. Click or tap File, , and choose New Experiment. Click or
tap Sensor Data Collection. Set up data-collection to end after 5 seconds. Click or tap View,
, and choose 1 Graph. Click or tap Graph Tools, , and choose Add Prediction. Use the
Prediction tool to sketch a position vs. time graph. Click or tap Save. Challenge another
student to match your graph. Have the other student challenge you in the same way.
2. Create a velocity vs. time challenge in a similar manner.

14 - 6 © Vernier Science Education Vernier Experiment Sampler

Common questions

Powered by AI

The motion detector provides real-time data on the position of an object by measuring the round-trip time of a high-frequency sound pulse from the detector to the object and back. This data allows for the calculation of velocity and acceleration, which can be plotted as graphs. Such graphical representations help determine the object's direction, speed, and whether it is speeding up or slowing down, thereby enhancing understanding of kinematic concepts .

Matching target graphs in velocity vs. time experiments is more challenging than position vs. time graphs because velocity changes are more difficult to control precisely as they require consistent speed changes. However, the benefit lies in gaining a deeper understanding of the dynamics of motion and the ability to predict and adjust motions to fit specific profiles, which is a practical application in physics education .

Graph-matching activities engage students in active learning by requiring them to apply theoretical knowledge to achieve practical results. This involvement deepens understanding as students must predict, adjust, and refine their movements to align with target graphs. The iterative nature of the challenge stimulates problem-solving and critical thinking, fostering a more profound grasp of kinematic concepts .

Bluetooth connection (Method 1) provides portability and flexibility, allowing the user to hold the detector, which may offer a more intuitive interaction with the motion being studied. In contrast, USB connection (Method 2) ensures stable data transmission, making it suitable for use with computers or Chromebooks. These methods affect data collection by altering the setup and how real-time information is recorded and analyzed, potentially influencing data accuracy and user preference depending on the experiment setup .

'Analysis Questions' encourage critical thinking and reflection on the experiment by prompting participants to describe their motion techniques, interpret the significance of graph slopes, and draw connections between observed and predicted motion behaviors. They facilitate deeper comprehension of the kinematic concepts being investigated and how they are represented graphically, enhancing the learning process .

Removing masking tape from the floor prevents any obstruction or tripping hazard for future experiments and maintains a clean environment for further activities. It ensures the space remains versatile for other uses without the residual effects of previous experiments .

Extensions like creating a graph-match challenge promote deeper engagement by encouraging students to devise new experiments and challenge peers, enhancing their prediction and analytical skills. Such activities stimulate creativity, reinforce learning by teaching others, and provide opportunities to apply kinematics concepts in varied contexts, solidifying students' understanding and competence .

Preliminary experiments familiarize users with the motion detector and help confirm that the position readings are sensible as they move back and forth. This practice aids in accurately predicting what graphs like position vs. time and velocity vs. time will look like under different walking speeds and scenarios, ultimately supporting better test outcomes and graph-matching accuracy .

The slope of a position vs. time graph indicates the velocity of the object. A zero slope signifies no movement (object at rest), a positive slope indicates motion in the positive direction, and a negative slope demonstrates movement in the negative direction. A constant slope suggests constant velocity, while a changing slope implies accelerating motion. These graph analyses help determine the nature of an object's movement over time .

A meter stick and masking tape help create precise distance markers on the floor, which are critical for accurate spatial measurements in motion detection experiments. These tools enable consistent setup and data collection by providing clear visual indicators of measured intervals, necessary for analyzing how position changes over time .

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