Vectors Mini Project
Follow all the directions of this assignment and show all your work. Your parent(s) will need to help you
and sign this paper indicating that they’ve helped you and that you’ve taught them the physics necessary to
understand your calculations and the concepts.
Materials
For this project, you will need: a stop watch or a watch with a timer on it, a map (print map, map from
Google maps or other internet mapping site), graph paper, a compass (magnetic north/south kind) a
protractor and your scientific calculator. You will also need the help of a parent(s) and/or another family
member with a car and a driver’s license to complete this mini project.
Part I
Velocity Vectors
Plot a route on your map from your home to another location perhaps, Wal-mart, Shop-rite, Annandale
Deli, Post Office, McDonalds, this your choice it should be several miles from your home and must have a
minimum of five directional changes. Using the stop watch, your compass and the car’s odometer, drive the
route you plot. Mark the distance to each change in direction you make, and the time to travel that distance,
mark the direction (N, S, E, W, NNE, etc…) using a 16 pt compass rose that you travel. Record the time
taken for each leg of the trip.
Sample Map.
c
Do NOT look at the speedometer while doing this. Parents, you may drive at a constant speed, or speed up
and slow down as you wish. Using your average velocity equation, calculate the average velocity of the car
(and you) over each time interval. Make sure to include a direction, as velocity is a vector quantity.
Complete the data table for each leg of the trip. Remember your units MUST agree, so you may have to do
some converting.
Part II: Acceleration
On a highway, or major road, time how long it takes your parents to accelerate from rest (v = 0 mph) to
different speeds. Parents you may accelerate as quickly or a slowly as you are comfortable with (at no time
should you drive at an unsafe speed or above the speed limit). Complete Data Table-2, and make sure to
remember that you may have to do some converting to make your units agree with each other. Do several
(4-5) different trials.
Part III: Deceleration
For this part, the student will time how long it takes their parents to slow down, either by braking or by
coasting (I recommend doing both), from a known speed to another known speed. They will calculate the
deceleration (or negative acceleration) of the car and themselves. Fill in the chart below and show all
calculations for several trials (4-5).
What are the make, year, and model of the type of car you rode in for this experiment?
Part IV: Sample Calculations:
Show one Sample calculation for each calculation you make in this mini-project
Example of Sample Calculations (The calculation part may be hand written.)
Distance Conversion to miles to meters
4 miles x
1600 meters
 6400 meters
1 mile
Calculation of Average Velocity
Vavg 
dist
6400 meters
m

 20
time
320 sec
s
Calculation of Average Acceleration
aavg 
v f  vi
time

20
m
m
 0
s
s  2.0 m
10 sec
s2
Part V: Graphical Analysis of vectors
Graph-1 Distance
Create a scaled vector diagram of your trip. Use your direction and distance for Graph-1
Show each leg of your trip the tail of your first vector should be located at the starting point. Connect the
tail of each successive vector to the tip of the previous vector.
Each directional distance vector should scaled to an appropriate size to fit on your graph.
Draw a Resultant vector from your starting location to your end point
Graph-2 Velocity
Create a scaled vector diagram of the velocities on your trip. Use your direction and velocities for Graph-2
Show the velocity of each leg of your trip. The tail of your first vector should be located at the starting
point. Connect the tail of each successive vector to the tip of the previous vector.
Each velocity vector should scaled to an appropriate size to fit on your graph.
Draw a Resultant vector from the tail your initial velocity vector to the tip of your final velocity vector. Sa
Sample Vector Graph
Part VI: Mathematical Analysis of Resultant Vectors
Make a right triangle with your resultant vector as the hypotenuse.
Measure the angle opposite the right angle.
Find the x and y components of the resultant vector
Dx = DResultant x sin
Dy = DResultant x cos 

Repeat for the Velocity Vector Diagram.
The Report:
The report should be typed with the exception of the sample calculations.
The report should include the following details
Cover Page with Title your name and date (5 pts)
Creative Title (3 pts)
Purpose (the explains the objective of the activity) (10 pts)
Map (5 pts)
Data (10 pts)
Sample Calculations (2 pts)
Graphical Analysis of Vectors (10 pts)
Mathematical Resolution of your resultant vectors into their components (10 pts)
Parent Student Signature Page (5 pts)
Students please discuss with your parent/ driver the following concepts: In your discussion please make
sure you compare the paired items.




Vector Quantities/Scalar Quantities
Speed/Velocity
Acceleration/Deceleration
Displacement/Distance
Sample Data Tables
Car Data:
Year:
Make:
Data Table-1: Average Velocity Vectors
Location:
Distance:
Distance:
(miles)
(meters)
From odometer conversion
Home/Start
Model:
Time:
(seconds)
Average
Velocity:
Meters/second
Direction:
(Use the
compass rose)
Data Table-2: Acceleration
Location:
Starting
Speed:
mph
Ending Speed:
mph
Time:
sec
Acceleration:
Direction:
(Use
compass
rose)
Data Table 4: Deceleration
Location:
Starting Speed:
Ending Speed:
Time:
Deceleration:
Direction:
Part VII: Parent and Student Signature
I, ____________________, (student) have taught my parent(s) about the
physics that I have learned this year in Mr. Brochinsky’s class. I have been
patient with them and worked with them until they understood the material
and was confident that they knew the main ideas. I am grateful that they
have taken an interest in me and my academic career.
____________________________, [parent(s)] have helped my/our child
with this project and been patient with them while they were explaining to
me the concepts and equations to be used in these experiments. I understand
the physics that they are learning in Mr. Brochinsky’s class and I am grateful
to have been a part of their learning process.
The student discussed the following terms with me:
Concept Discussed

Vector Quantities/Scalar Quantities

Speed/Velocity

Acceleration/Deceleration

Displacement/Distance
Initials
Vector Mini-Project Grading Rubric
NAME: ______________________________
The report should include the following details
Page
Points Available Points Received
Separate Cover Page with Title your name and date
5
Creative Title (not Vector Mini-Project)
3
Self-Composed Purpose
10
Map
5
Data
10
Sample Calculations
2
Graphical Analysis of Vectors
10
Mathematical Resolution of Resultant Vectors
10
Parent Student Signature Page
5
Total Points _____ / 60