Module 1
PlanningGuide
Lab 1.4
Lesson 1.1
Lesson 1.2
Lesson 1.3
Lesson 1.4
Lab 1.1
Lab 1.2
Lab 1.3
Lab 1.4
Project 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
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Physics Lab 1.4
Graphs of Motion
This lesson deals with
acceleration and graphs of motion. In the lesson we use a
series of photographs of a falling weight. The
photographs are used to estimate the position of the
weight at various times and to create graphs of motion.
Experiment 1.4.1 Acceleration of a falling
object
Purpose: To estimate the rate of acceleration of a
falling weight from a sequence of pictures.
Use the photographs
provided to estimate the position of a falling weight
with time and to generate graphs of motion from this set
of data.
Record the results using
the data tables provided. Enter the experimental results
in the appropriate columns and calculate the values
needed to complete the data tables.
Answer the questions that
follow the results of the experiments.
Materials and Equipment:
Procedure
- Using the markings
shown behind the falling object on each picture,
estimate the distance traveled between successive
pictures and calculate the velocity for each pair
of pictures.
- Estimate the rate of
acceleration from the differences in velocity
between successive pairs of pictures.
Results
Use the table below to
record the data from the pictures and to calculate
velocity and acceleration between successive pictures.
Picture
|
Time
|
Distance
|
Distance
|
Increase
|
Velocity
|
Acceleration
|
Number
|
(sec)
|
(cm)
|
(m)
|
(m)
|
(m/s)
|
(m/s2)
|
1
|
0.000
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
0.067
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
0.133
|
|
|
|
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4
|
0.200
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
0.267
|
|
|
|
|
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6
|
0.333
|
|
|
|
|
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7
|
0.400
|
|
|
|
|
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8
|
0.467
|
|
|
|
|
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9
|
0.533
|
|
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10
|
0.600
|
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Graphs
of Motion
- Plot the distance
traveled vs. time to show that this increases
with the square of the time.
- Plot velocity versus
time to show that the rate of change in velocity
is constant.
- Estimate the rate of
acceleration from the slope of the velocity vs.
time line.
- If a falling object,
starting from rest, covers 0.0285 meters in 0.067 seconds, what is its average
velocity during the 0.067 s period?
- What is the average
rate of acceleration during this period?
- During the next 0.066
seconds, it covers 0.0715 m. What is its average
velocity during this period?
- Using the series of
pictures of a falling weight provided, complete
the table below.
- Draw a graph showing
distance dropped versus time for that data in the
table.
- Draw a graph showing
velocity versus time.
- Draw a graph showing
acceleration versus time.
Picture
|
Time
|
Distance
|
Distance
|
Increase
|
Velocity
|
Acceleration
|
Number
|
(sec)
|
(cm)
|
(m)
|
(m)
|
(m/s)
|
(m/s2)
|
1
|
0.000
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
0.067
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
0.133
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
0.200
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
0.267
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
0.333
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
0.400
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
0.467
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
0.533
|
|
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10
|
0.600
|
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