Ch 2: Motion in 1-Dimension – Graphical Analysis
1st, let’s take a look at a particle model simulation to review:
http://webphysics.davidson.edu/physlet_resources/western_kentucky/
MotionDiagrams.html
The first collection of graphs below depicts position versus time (p-t).
Q: How does position correlate to displacement?
Q: What would the graph look like for an object moving away from
the origin at a constant velocity?
How would you calculate the slope of
this graph?
What would the units be for the slope
of this graph?
What does the slope of this graph
mean?
Explain the motion in each graph below. For each graph below, in
which time interval(s) is the velocity:
a) constant?
b) positive?
c) negative?
d) zero?
e) What is the average velocity
for the entire 9 seconds?
Does the average velocity accurately represent the motion? Why /
why not?
For the graph at the left, when is velocity:
a) constant?
b) positive?
c) negative?
d) zero?
e) What is the average velocity?
Does the average velocity accurately represent the motion? Explain.
Using the graph at the left,
make a data table for:
a) position versus time
b) velocity versus time
What is the physical meaning of the slope of a velocity-time graph?
The next set of graphs depicts velocity versus time (v-t).
For the graph at the left, when is
velocity:
a) constant?
b) positive?
c) negative?
d) zero?
Using the graph above, make a data table for:
a) position versus time
b) velocity versus time
Working Backwards
Given the v-t graph below, complete the data table.
Time Velocity Displacement
(s)
(m/s)
(m)
0-1
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5
5-6
6-7
7-8
8-9
Graph Total Displacement vs. time.
Total
Displacement
(m)
What is the area under the curve for the 0 – 1 s time interval? How does that
compare to the displacement for that time interval? What is the area under
the curve for the 1 – 2 s time interval? Add the two time intervals together.
What do you think the answer means? Compare your data for the other time
intervals.
What is the relationship between the area under the v-t curve and the
displacement?
What is the relationship between the area under the a-t curve and the velocity?
Is there a term for the rate of change of acceleration with respect to time?
Q: What is it that causes motion sickness, exactly?
A: “Jerk”, or the rapid rate of change in acceleration. When the acceleration
changes too rapidly, our eyes and our inner ear are not in sync, and we feel
“jerk.” For some, this causes you to feel like you may hurl.  Morr on this
later!!
The slope of a displacement – time curve is the _________________________
The slope of a velocity – time curve is the ______________________________
The slope of an acceleration – time curve is the _________________________
The area under a jerk – time curve is the ______________________________
The area under an acceleration – time curve is the ______________________
The area under a velocity – time curve is the ___________________________