Case Study

Your final lab report for this unit should include:

* Cover sheet. 2 points

* Objectives of the lab. (Hint: There is an Objectives tool in the ActivPhysics module.) 3 points

* Background (this should include your research on the physics of motion, such as relevant formulas and concepts) 10 points

* Answers to each of the questions in this template. 25 points

* Conclusions: What did you learn from this lab? (Hint: The summary tool in ActivPhysics is a good starting point.) 10 points

The motion of a car is represented by motion diagrams and graphs. You can choose the motion by adjusting the sliders for:

* the initial-position (xo) |

* the initial-velocity (vo) |

* the acceleration (a) |

Answer the following questions and check your work by adjusting the sliders and running the simulation. The graphs that you are asked to draw are qualitative – don’t worry about the detailed numbers.

Question 1: Initial-Position and Position-Versus-Time Graph

This first question is meant to assess your understanding of some of the variables. The vertical axis indicates the position of the car, and the horizontal axis indicates the time. Leave the initial velocity and acceleration at zero. Make a prediction on what will happen with the sliders in each of the following positions.

xo | vo | a | Prediction of the motion of the car | Prediction for the position-versus-time graph (green line) |

-10 | 0 | 0 | | |

0 | 0 | 0 | | |

10 | 0 | 0 | | |

Next, run the simulation using the different initial-position slider settings shown below. Note the behavior of the position-versus-time graph and note the position of the car. Draw a position-versus-time graph for x0 = -8m, v0 = 0, and a = 0.

Question 2: Position-Versus-Time and Velocity-Versus-Time Graphs

Next, we will keep the initial position and acceleration sliders to zero. See if you can predict the motion of the car and the x-vs-t graph.

xo | vo | a | Prediction of the motion...