Physic Lab 1

Objective:

In this lab, we are going to analyze the motion of a student walking across the room using Motion Detector to plot position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time graphs. By looking at a displayed graph, such as a position vs. time graph, you can predict and sketch the velocity, and acceleration vs. time graphs.

Materials:

Computer Vernier computer interface

Logger Pro Vernier Motion Detector

Procedure:

* Part 1 Preliminary experiments:

First of all, you need to connect the Motion Detector to the DIG/SONIC 1 channel of the Vernier computer interface and connect the interface into the computer. The motion detector needs to be facing an open space with nothing in front of it, about 4 meters long. On the computer screen, you need to select the physics with Vernier folder and open the file “01a graphing matching”. You have to stand 1m away from the Motion Detector, and use the Logger Pro to draw a graph of you walking away from the Detector with constant velocity. Click collect when you are ready to walk. When you hear the click from the Motion Detector, you can start walking. Sketch the position vs. time graph for your normal walking, and sketch another graph with a faster pace. Compare your graph with the graph in the preliminary questions.

* Part 2 position vs. time graph matching:

For part 2, open the file to “01b graphing matching”, which is a position vs. time graph. You need to predict what you need to do or how you should walk to produce this graph. After the prediction, you need to do the experiment. So click collect when you are ready to walk, after you click collect wait for the click sound produced by Motion Detector and you can start walking. You might need to walk several times to be able to produce a good match to the graph on the screen. And print graph with the best attempt. After you are done with this 01b graph,...