PhysicsQuest

Linear Motion

INTRODUCTION

We have our first Physics test and you want to be very well prepared.

You know that you need to review the topics covered but at the same time you would like to get some extra reward for your effort, therefore this activity will be graded also as Extra Credit for the test!

This PhysicsQuest is designed to help you in reviewing for the test.

TASK

The activity consists of four sections related to Kinematics in One-Dimension.  Each section contains links to various websites, some of them with interactive elements. Read through each link and answer the questions.

By the end of this PhysicsQuest you will have reinforced the concepts learned

in class.

PROCESS AND RESOURCES

The PhysicsQuest is divided into four sections.

Each section contains links to internet sites that

will help you answer the questions.

Part I.  Constant Velocity versus Acceleration.

Watch the Car Animation:

1. Which car or cars (red, green, and/or blue) are undergoing an acceleration?  How can you tell the difference in motion?

2. Look at the Position-Time graphs of each of the cars.

a. Match the appropriate line to the particular color of car.

b. Plot a corresponding Velocity-Time graph for each car.

Part II. Direction of Velocity and Acceleration

Watch the Hot Wheels car animation

3. Accelerating objects have a changing velocity - either

    due to a speed change or a direction change.

    Considering east as a positive direction and west as a

    negative direction, complete the table below by

    writing the direction of each vector as (+) or (-)

Part III. Graphical Analysis of Motion

Watch the animations:

1. Constant Velocity

2. Uniform Acceleration

4. Compare and contrast the three types of graphs for both

    kinds of motion.

5. What is the mathematical relationship between the

    variables in both position-time graphs?

6. Write a mathematical description of each position-time graph.

7. What variable is obtained by calculating the slope of  a:

a. position-time graph?

b. velocity-time graph?

PART IV. Kinematic Equations and Graphs

13. Read the information and scroll down the page to the section Check Your Understanding and solve problems 2, 3 and 5.

Note: Even though the answers are given at the end of the animation, you have to show all your work i.e. equations, slopes, and/or areas in order

to get credit. Use a ruler to construct the graphs.

  SituationVelocity Acceleration 

Car speeding up going East

Car speeding up going West

Car slowing down going East

Car slowing down going West

Watch The Stoplight

A blue car moving at a constant speed of 10 m/s passes a red car that is at rest. This occurs at a stoplight the moment that the light turns green.

The red car accelerates from rest at 4 m/s/s for three seconds and then maintains a constant speed.

8. Calculate at what speed does the red car travel after 3 seconds?

9.  Plot a velocity-time graph for both cars for an interval of 12 seconds.

10.  What information can be found by calculating the area under the lines?

11. Using the graphs,  find the displacement of each individual car after 10

     seconds. Trace the areas on the graph clearly and show all your work!

12. When lines on a velocity-time graph intersect, does this mean that the

      two cars are passing by each other? If not, what does it mean?