Graphing Your Motion

Using Vernier Lab Quests

Objectives

In this experiment you will• Use a Motion Detector to measure

position, velocity and acceleration• Use a computer to produce graphs

of you motion• Analyze the graphs you produce• Match position vs. time and

velocity vs. time graphs

Materials

You will use:• Computer• Vernier Lab Quest• Motion Detector• Masking tape• Meter stick

About Your Motion Detector

• It emits ultra sound.

About Your Motion Detector

• Ultrasound is emitted in a 30o

cone.• Anything within the 30o cone will

be measured.• A common problem in using

Motion Detectors is getting reflections from a desk, chair or other object in the room.

About Your Motion Detector

• Keep the area clear in a zone in front of the Motion Detector.

About Your Motion Detector

• Unintended reflections can be minimized by tilting the motion detector slightly.

About Your Motion Detector

• If you get a confusing velocity or acceleration graph, switch back to the position graph and see if it makes sense.

• If not, the motion detector may not be properly hitting the target.

About Your Motion Detector

• Maximum range is about 6 meters or about 20 feet.

Exploring the LabQuest1. Connect the Motion Detector to

DIG 1. 2. Turn the LabQuest on. Give it a

minute to detect the Motion Detector and to display a distance.

Exploring the LabQuest3. Place a book about 0.500 m away

from the Motion Detector.

Exploring the LabQuest4. Move the Motion Detector away

from the book and see how it changes.

Lab Procedure - Part A: Position

Part A: Position1. If you have not done so already,

connect the Motion Detector to DIG 1.

2. Find a location that is at least 4m wide (13 feet).

3. Notice the strips of masking tape on the floor at 1m, 2m, 3m, and 4m positions.

Part A: Position4. Choose New from the File menu.

Part A: Position5. Open the hinge on the Motion

Detector. 6. Hold the Motion Detector so the

round, metal detector is always pointed directly at the wall. Sometimes you will have to walk backwards.

Part A: Position (continued)

7. Monitor the position readings. 8. Move back and forth and confirm

that the values make sense.9. For example, when you move

away from the wall does the number get larger?

w alk back and forth in front o f

M otion D etector

Wall

Part A: Graph Your Position

10. Make a graph of your motion when you walk away from the wall with constant velocity.

11. To do this, stand about 1 m from the wall and walk backwards.

Part A: Graph Your Position

12. Start data collection by pressing the Data Collection key.

13. Walk backward, slowly away from the wall after data collection begins.

Part A: Graph Your Position

14. Check your graph and make sure it makes sense.

15. Repeat walking away from the wall until you get a graph that looks the best.

16. Sketch the graph that looks the best. This is GRAPH 1. Then go to the next step.

Part A: Graph Your Position (continued)

17. Sketch what the graph will look like if you walk faster. This is GRAPH 2.

18. Check your prediction with the Motion Detector by walking away from the wall quickly.

19. To take more data, press the Data Collection key when you are ready to begin walking.

Part A: Graph Your Position (continued)

20. Sketch your results. This is GRAPH 3. Answer the question below the graph before moving on to the next step.

Motion Matching

1. During this activity you will analyze a graph provided by the Lab Quest and try to reproduce it.

Motion Matching (continued)

2. Choose Motion Match from the Analyze menu.

3. Choose New Position Match ►from the Motion Match menu.

4. A target graph will be displayed for you to match.

Motion Matching (continued)

5. Sketch the graph. This is GRAPH 4.6. Analyze the graph. How would you

walk to reproduce the graph?7. Describe how you would walk on

your lab sheet. This is your prediction.

Motion Matching (continued)

8. To test your prediction, choose a starting position and stand at that point.

9. Start data collection. Wait a moment and then walk in such a way that the graph of your motion matches the target graph on the screen.

Motion Matching (continued)

10.If you were not successful, repeat this process until your motion closely matches the graph on the screen.

11.Sketch the graph with your best attempt.

Motion Matching (continued)

12. Perform a second distance graph match (Steps 8–10) by choosing Motion Match New Position ►Match again. This will generate a new target distance graph for you to match.

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