Physics
Constant Velocity Particle Models
Unit 2
Unit Essential Questions
What are the descriptive models of motion and how are they used?
What are the graphical models and the mathematical models that are used to represent the
motion of an object having constant velocity and how are these models used to analyze
the object’s motion?
What is the relationship between position and clock reading for an object moving with
constant velocity?
New Understandings
A. An object’s motion can be represented graphically with a position vs. clock reading
graph.
B. An object’s motion can be represented with a mathematical model.
C. Velocity is defined as the slope of a position vs. time graph.
D. The position of an object moving with constant velocity is directly proportional to the
clock reading.
E. Some numbers may represent both magnitude and direction, while others may only
represent magnitude.
F. Large objects can be represented as point particles.
G. An object’s motion can be represented with a motion map.
H. Symbols can be used to represent objects, concepts, quantities, and relationships.
I. Diagrams and graphs can be annotated with symbols to enhance communication.
J. The area under the velocity vs. clock reading curve represents an object’s
displacement.
K. Many physics terms have very specific meanings in science that may be different
from or more specific than their meaning in everyday usage.
L. Graphical models and mathematical models are used to represent, analyze, and
communicate structure and relationships in physical systems and physical
interactions.
M. A relatively small number of models can be used with great versatility for a wide
variety of physical systems and physical interactions.
New Math Concepts
Limits, tangent lines, slope of tangent lines, area under curve, scalar quantities, vector
quantities
New Technology Skills
Computer interfacing with measuring instruments, using data acquisition software, using
a sonic position detector
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Physics
Constant Velocity Particle Models
Unit 2
New Learning Targets
1. Given position and clock reading data for an object moving with constant velocity,
you should be able to construct a position vs. time graph that represents the object’s
motion and extract a mathematical model that represents the object’s motion.
2. Given an object’s position vs. time graph, you should be able to identify the time
intervals when the object was moving with constant velocity.
3. Given an object’s position vs. time graph, you should be able give a word description
of the object’s motion including starting position, relative speed, and direction.
Likewise, given a word description of the object’s motion, you should be able to
sketch a position vs. time graph.
4. Given an object’s position vs. time graph, you should be able to calculate its average
velocity for a specified time interval.
5. Given an object’s velocity vs. time graph, you should be able give a word description
of the object’s motion including relative speed and direction. Likewise, given a word
description of the object’s motion, you should be able to sketch a velocity vs. time
graph.
6. After observing a moving object, you should be able to construct a motion map, a
word description, a position vs. time graph, and a velocity vs. time graph that
represent the object’s motion.
7. Given the mathematical model for a constant velocity object’s motion and either
position or elapsed time, you should be able to calculate the unknown quantity.
8. Given an object’s position vs. time graph, you should be able to sketch its
corresponding velocity vs. time graph. Likewise, given an object’s velocity vs. time
graph, you should be able to sketch its corresponding position vs. time graph.
9. Given an object’s velocity vs. time graph and a specified time interval, you should be
able to calculate the distance traveled by the object during that time interval and the
object’s displacement during that time interval.
10. Given one of the four representations of an object’s motion - a motion map, a word
description, a position vs. time graph, a velocity vs. time graph – you should be able
to create the others.
11. You should be able to use all of these and your prior knowledge, skills, and
understandings to represent, analyze, and communicate structure and relationships in
physical systems and physical interactions
12. You should be able to use a motion detector, computer interface, and data acquisition
software to measure an object’s position as it changes with time.
Edington 10/25/06 Unit 2 Velocity Objectives v8.doc
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Physics
Constant Velocity Particle Models
New Terms and Symbols
∆d
∆x
A/D interface
clock reading
data noise
distance
extrapolation
magnitude
negative displacement
position
s
so
strobe diagram
to
vector
zeroing
∆s
area under the curve
D/A interface
constant velocity
direction
do
general equation
MKS system
negative velocity
positive displacement
SI units
speed
t
uniform velocity
x
≡
Unit 2
∆t
average velocity
d
displacement
elapsed time
interpolation
motion map
origin
positive velocity
slowing down
speeding up
time interval
v
xo
sonic position detector
New Math Models
x = vt + x0
v≡
∆x
∆t
Edington 10/25/06 Unit 2 Velocity Objectives v8.doc
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