Introduction to Physics
The Study of Motion: The LAB

In this lab we wish to study three different activities involving motion. The motion of each will be unique in some way.
In the course of this lab you are to discover what that is and comment on it.

  1. The motion of a toy bulldozer in a straight line
  2. The motion of a student transversing a rectangular path
  3. The motion of a marble travelling down a long curtain rod

The class is divided into three groups of equal numbers for each of the three different activities. Instructions are given for each, however, organization of the activity will be the group's responsibility. (Code A value 10).
Each event will take approximately 20 minutes.
Each person is to hand in a complete lab report: (CODE I value 15)
Readability and logical flow to report (Code C value 3)

Equipment requirements

Procedure

  1. The total length of the distance transversed is to be measured
  2. The total distance travelled is to be divided into segments for time measurements
  3. The object is set in motion and the time it takes to travel each linear segment is taken with a stop watch and recorded (Code C value 3) See below point B
    A student will be assigned a position on the pathway and by starting the stop watch at the beginning of the motion, the stop watch will be stopped when the object reaches his or her position. This will be the time it takes for the object to travel this distance.
  4. The collected data will be plotted on a graph; distance vs time. Distance units may vary for each of the three activities
  5. Questions are to be answered

Inquiry Directions and Questions

  1. A title page is required.
  2. A procedure statement is required for each of the three activities. (Code C value 3)
  3. A chart of the data with proper headings and units with an appropriate graph for each of the three motions
    The bulldozer and marble measurements are to be graphed on the same axis. Their total distances are very similiar about 2.0 meters.
    The student's motion is done an a separate graph.
  4. If the graph is linear, calculate the slope of the line (show how this was done on the graph).
  5. Determine the average speed of the object.
  6. How does the average speed and the slope of the linear graphs compare.
  7. Determine the distance travelled and the total displacement for each activity.
  8. One of the graphs should be a curve. Draw a tangent to the line at the midway way point, and at the end of the line.
    This will give you two lines that should have different slopes, one greater than the other. Since the tangent is a straight line find the slope of each tangent and then answer the following:
    1. compare the two values
    2. what does this tell you about the speed of this object over the total distance travelled?
    3. how do the two values compare to the average speed of this object?
  9. Which of the above three motions shows acceleration and give a reason?
  10. Explain why the person who did the walking or running has zero displacement in their motion?
  11. How are each of three motions unique in a specific way?
  12. Do questions #'s 6 & 7 on page 365
    Qualitative means that the answer has a numerical value to it. Answer part (a) by numerically comparing ordered pairs at the same time value.
1