Group+2.1-2-EB

= = = = =Amanda and Spencer= =__ Ariel and Allison __= = = =**Lab: Representations of Motion**=
 * Group Members:** Amanda Donaldson, Allison Irwin, Spencer Edelman, Ariel Katz
 * Class:** Period 2
 * Date Completed:** 9/13/10
 * Date Due:** 9/14/10


 * Objective:** What are the different types of motion? What is the best way to represent the motion?
 * Materials:** Motion detector and USB link, spark timer and timer tape

**Procedure:**
Detailed procedure... good job!
 * 1)   Connect the two pieces of the motion sensor and then connect the USB to the computer.
 * 2)   Open Data Studio, select create experiment.
 * 3)   Open position vs. time graph, velocity vs. time graph, and acceleration vs. time graph. Follow the following steps for each type of motion.
 * 4)   For no motion, put a book in front of the sensor and do not move. Start the “ticker.” When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary, and record graphs.
 * 5)   For increasing speed towards, start the “ticker” and move forwards towards the sensor gradually increasing your pace. When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary, and record graphs.
 * 6)   For increasing speed away, start the “ticker” and move backwards away from the sensor gradually increasing your walking speed. When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary, and record graphs.
 * 7)   For constant speed towards, start the “ticker” and move forwards towards the sensor maintaining the same pace. When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary, and record graphs.
 * 8)   For constant speed away, start the “ticker” and move backwards away from the sensor maintaining the same pace. When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary, and record graphs.
 * 9)   For decreasing speed towards, start the “ticker” and move forwards towards the sensor gradually decreasing your pace. When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary and record graphs.
 * 10)   For decreasing speed away, start the “ticker” and move away from the sensor gradually decreasing your pace. When finished recording, stop the “ticker,” adjust scale of graphs as necessary, and record graphs.
 * 11)   For the ticker tape graph, plug in spark timer. Cut a piece of tape about 12 inches.
 * 12)   For no motion, insert piece of tape into timer and turn on the ticker. Do not move tape. After an amount of time, turn ticker off and pull out tape.
 * 13)   For increasing speed away, insert piece of tape into timer and turn on the ticker. Pull piece of tape out with the ticker on. As you pull, gradually increase the speed of the force (your pull). When the tape reaches the end, turn ticker off.
 * 14)   For constant speed away, insert piece of tape into timer and turn on the ticker. At a constant pace, pull the piece of tape with the ticker on. When the tape reaches the end turn the ticker off.
 * 15)   For decreasing speed away, insert piece of tape into machine and turn on the timer. Pull piece of tape out with the ticker on. As you pull, gradually decrease the speed of the force (your pull). When the tape reaches the end, turn ticker off.

**Data:**
__Graph Results-__

**Analysis and Data Interpretation:**

 * 1) How can you tell that there is no motion on a...
 * Motion diagram: there is one dot
 * Ticker tape diagram: the ticker tape has two dots in the beginning, but is blank otherwise.
 * Position vs. time graph: this graph is a straight horizontal line
 * Velocity vs. time graph: this graph is a straight horizontal line at y=0
 * Acceleration vs. time graph: this graph is a straight horizontal line at y=0


 * 1) How can you tell that your motion is steady on a...
 * 2) Motion diagram: the arrows are the same length with a=0
 * 3) Ticker tape diagram: the two dots are evenly distributed on the tape. The distance between each pair of dots is equal
 * 4) position vs. time graph: the slope is the same with any two points.
 * 5) velocity vs. time graph: the graph is a straight horizontal line.
 * 6) acceleration vs. time graph: the graph is a straight horizontal line.


 * 1) How can you tell that your motion is fast vs. slow on a…
 * 2) Motion diagram: if speed is increasing then the arrows get larger and acceleration is the same direction as the velocity. If the speed is decreasing then the arrows get smaller and acceleration is in the opposite direction as the velocity.
 * 3) Ticker tape diagram: when it is increasing speed, the dots start close and get further and further apart. When it is decreasing speed, the dots are further apart and get closer and closer.
 * 4) position vs. time graph: you cannot tell, unless it is stated before if you are moving forward or backward. Then if the slope is steeper, it is moving faster whereas if the slope is not as steep, the motion is slower.
 * 5) velocity vs. time graph: the faster the motion, the steeper the slope; thus, the slower the motion, the less steep the graph is.
 * 6) acceleration vs. time graph: the faster the motion, the steeper the slope; thus, the slower the motion, the less steep the graph is


 * 1) How can you tell that you changed direction on a…
 * 2) Motion diagram: the arrows show which direction you are going; therefore, if you change direction, so will the direction in which the arrow heads are pointing
 * 3) Ticker tape diagram: you cannot tell because it is impossible to move the tape backwards
 * 4) position vs. time graph: the lines slope changes from negative to positive
 * 5) velocity vs. time graph: the lines slope changes from negative to positive
 * 6) acceleration vs. time graph: the lines slope changes from negative to positive


 * 1) How can you tell that your motion is increasing on a…
 * 2) Motion diagram: the arrows get longer and the the acceleration is going in the same direction as the velocity
 * 3) Ticker tape diagram: the dots begin close together; however, over time, they get further and further apart with increasing motion
 * 4) position vs. time graph: the line either has a positive or negative slope which is steeper than that of a constant
 * 5) velocity vs. time graph: the line has a steeper slope
 * 6) acceleration vs. time graph: the line has a steeper slope


 * 1) How can you tell that your motion is decreasing on a…
 * 2) Motion diagram: the arrow's length get shorter and the acceleration is going in the opposite direction as velocity
 * 3) Ticker tape diagram: when it is decreasing,the dots begin further apart and over time, they get closer together
 * 4) position vs. time graph: the line either has a positive or negative slope
 * 5) velocity vs. time graph: when the line is getting closer and closer to zero (having an x-intercept), motion is decreasing
 * 6) acceleration vs. time graph: when the line is getting closer and closer to zero (having an x-intercept), motion is decreasing

**Discussion Questions:**

 * 1) What are the advantages of representing motion using a…

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 * a. motion diagram - The motion diagram is a useful tool because it allows us to visualize motion in terms of velocity and acceleration. We can see how velocity and acceleration relate to each other.
 * b. Ticker tape diagram - The ticker tape diagram is a good visual tool to represent motion. The apparatus uses a pulling motion, and as the tape is pulled through, it is marked by a spark. The distances between the sparks, or dots represent motion. This tool is useful because it allows us to visualize an abstract subject. Also, unlike the other graphs, the ticker tape does not deal with a motion detector that can easily pick up on outside influences.
 * c. position v. time graph - These graphs use a computer software and a motion detector to create a graph of different motion. For each kind of motion, the position vs. time graph allows us to visualize how something changes position. Using the computer, we are able to record a lot of data and create a graph quickly. Additionally, the axises can be manipulated in order to have a different scale. The graph helps us to understand motion in terms of position.
 * d. velocity v. time graph - For each different type of motion, the velocity vs. time graph allows us to to see how different types of motion and speed correlate. Using Data Studio, we are able to record data easily, and create a graph as we perform the experiment. Additionally, we can manipulate the axises to have different scales in order to have a greater understanding of the graph. The graph helps us to understand motion in terms of velocity.
 * e. Acceleration vs. time graph - For each different type of motion, the acceleration vs. time graph allows us to visualize how the rate of different types of motion increase. Using the program, we are able to easily record data as data Studio creates the graph. The graph helps us to define motion in terms of acceleration.
 * 2. What are the disadvantages of representing motion using a...
 * a motion diagram - The motion diagram does not have axises, and is subject to human error
 * b. Ticker tape diagram - There are disadvantages when using the ticker tape diagram. For instance, the pace of the movement of the tape may not be steady. Also, we weren't able to analyze motion moving towards, only moving away. Additionally, we are not able to analyze the results in respect to specific time intervals.
 * c. position v. time graph - The position vs. time graph is influenced by a motion detector that senses outside objects.
 * d. velocity v. time graph - The motion detector is very sensitive to movement. Therefore, movement of legs and arms is sometimes recognized as motion and can affect the result of the graph.
 * e. acceleration vs. time graph - This graph also relies on a motion detector. Movement of legs and arms is sometimes picked up as acceleration, and can affect points plotted on the graph.
 * 3. Define the following:
 * a. no motion - the position of an object remain the same, while velocity and acceleration equal zero
 * b. constant speed - the velocity remains the same and acceleration is zero, while the position does change
 * c. increasing speed - the velocity increases and acceleration shows that the magnitude of velocity is increasing, as the position changes
 * d. decreasing speed - the velocity decreases and acceleration goes in the opposite direction of velocity, as the position changes

**Conclusion:**
Throughout this lab there were many possible sources of human error. Because it was impossible for us to perfectly monitor the rate at which we were walking, the graphs calculating our velocity and acceleration are not exact. The graphs may also be incorrect because while we are walking the motion detector was picking up the different parts of our body, some of which were moving and some of which were not. In order to make our results more accurate, we would need to use an object that we could control the speed of. In addition, it would be more accurate if the motion detector got its results from a flat surface, rather than the different parts of the body (legs, abdomen, etc.).

= = =**Lab: A Crash Course in Velocity**=
 * Group Members:** Amanda Donaldson, Allison Irwin, Spencer Edelman, Ariel Katz
 * Class:** Period 2
 * Date Completed:** 9/20/10
 * Date Due:** 9/21/10

__Collecting Data:__ __Collision Test:__ __Catch Up Problem:__
 * Objectives:** (1) Create a position-time graph to find the average speed of a Constant Motion Vehicle (one fast, and one slow). (2) Solve two problems using the data found.
 * Materials:** Constant Motion Vehicle, tape measure, meter stick, masking tape, stop watch, spark timer, and spark tape.
 * Hypothesis:** The position-time graph slope of the faster car, will be steeper than the position-time graph slope of the slower car.
 * Procedure:**
 * 1)  Attach about 1.5m of spark tape to the Constant Motion Vehicle with one battery. Create spark tape by turning the car on to move and the spark timer on to generate the dots. Generate position-time graph to find the average speed of the CMV in // Excel //.
 * 2) Repeat Step 1 with the CMV using two batteries.
 * 1) Place the two CMVs 600cm apart, moving towards each other. Start the CMVs at the same time.
 * 2) Record the distance at which they collide.
 * 1) Place the CMV with one battery 1m ahead of the CMV with two batteries. Start them simultaneously, moving in the same direction.
 * 2) Record the position at which the faster CMV catches up with the slower CMV.


 * Data:** **:Need a (0,0) point as first piece of collected data.**
 * Problems:**


 * Our Actual Experiment:**

Where is data for other part?

Our experiment was successful and our results are logical. This is because as shown by the graph, the slope of the faster car is steeper. Due to the fact that the faster car (with two batteries is able to go farther in less time due to its speed; whereas a slower moving vehicle (with one battery) in constant motion can not go as far in the same amount of time due to its lower speed. Also, our percent error for problem 2b is only 11.99%. This shows our actual experiment and theoretical calculations are close, which proves our experiment to be successful.
 * Interpreting Your Results:**

//6. Sketch velocity-time graphs to represent the catching up situation. Is there any way to find the points when they are at the same place at the same time.// Beautiful graphs!
 * Discussion Questions:**
 * 1) //Why is the slope of the position-time graph equivalent to average velocity?//
 * The slope of the position-time graph should be equivalent to average velocity due to the fact velocity is the change in position (or distance) over the change in time, which is what is illustrated on the p-t graph.
 * 1) //Why was it okay to set the y-intercept equal to zero?//
 * The y-intercept is allowed to be zero due to the fact you can not have negative position in correlation to time. Therefore, no matter what the line, it should always cross the y-axis at zero.
 * 1) //What is the meaning of the R^2 value?//
 * 2) //R2 helps one analyze their data and see how well the resulting line matches the original data points. R2 is normally given as a percentage. A higher percentage means the data points are closer to matching the resulting line. A lower percentage means the data points do not match the resulting line, and you must go back and check what happened. R2 should not be bellow 97%. If it is, something probably went wrong and you must go back and check your data. //
 * 3) //Where would the cars meet if their speeds were exactly equal?//
 * 4) If the cars speeds were equal, they would travel the same distance over the same span of time. Since they are traveling at the same rate, they would pass each other after moving the same amount of time towards each other. In this lab, we used a distance of 600 cm, so the cars would pass by each other, or meet, at 300 centimeters, when they both traveled an equal distance from their start.
 * 5) //Sketch position-time graphs to represent the catching up and crashing situations. Show the point where they are at the same place at the same time.//
 * 1) //Sketch position-time graphs to represent the catching up and crashing situations. Show the point where they are at the same place at the same time.//

Where is conclusion?