Wendy Candler

2/4/08
Lab 1 Write-up

Graph Matching

Purpose

In this lab we discovered how to read and interpret graphs of distance vs. time and

velocity vs. time. These basic graphs allow the experimenter to easily tell the direction an object

is going, its speed, how far it travels, and whether it is accelerating or decelerating. We used a

motion detector hooked up to a graphing program on the computer to track and record the motion

of a student walking across the room. The sensor used a high frequency sound pulse and the

speed of sound to determine the distance to the student or object.

It is important to be able to install, understand and operate the sensors and computer

programs used in these experiments. Technology and graphical representations are essential to

testing theories, and recording findings. Graphs are used by scientists in almost all types of

experiments as an easy way to visually observe and analyze data collected. It is important to be

able to read and understand the information presented at a glance, and to be able to use it to make

future predictions.

Analysis Questions

Distance vs. Time

1. Part B: When matching this graph, we started at the 1 meter mark and after 1 second moved

to 2.5 meters in the span of 2 seconds. Then at the 6 second mark we moved to 1.75 meters

and held that position for the rest of the time limit.

Part C: When matching this graph, we started at 3 meters and immediately moved to 1.5

meters at a speed of 0.5 m/s, and after 1 second moved to the 0.5 meter mark in the span of 1

second. After standing for 2 seconds we moved back to the original 3 meter mark by the time

the 10 seconds were up.

 Wendy Candler
2/4/08
Lab 1 Write-up

2. On a distance vs. time graph the slope of a line is a measure of the linear speed (velocity) of

the object. In the graphs of this lab the speed is measured in meters per second (m/s), and the

steeper the slope line the faster the object is moving. A positive slope represents a forward

motion (away from the sensor) and a negative slope represents backward motion (toward the

sensor).

3. When the slope of the distance vs. time graph is zero, the speed of the object is also zero. In

other words, the motion of the object has either stopped or changed direction and is neither

positive nor negative.

4. When the slope of a distance vs. time graph is constant, the speed is also constant. If constant

in the positive direction the object is moving forward at same speed and if negative the object

is moving backwards at the same speed. If the slope is consistently zero, the object has

completely stopped moving for a span of time.

5. When the slope of a distance vs. time graph is changing, the speed is changing. If the slope of

a line is increasing in either the positive or negative direction the object is accelerating and if

it is decreasing the object is decelerating. If the slope changes from positive to negative, the

object is changing direction.

Velocity vs. Time

7. Part D: When matching this graph, we stood still for 2 seconds before taking quick step

backwards and keeping a constant pace in that direction for 3 seconds. Then we needed to

stop moving for 2 seconds before stepping forwards and keeping the same consistent pace as

before until the time limit is complete.

Part E: When matching this graph, we begin by immediately accelerating backward for 4

seconds up to 0.5 m/s and then maintaining that velocity for 2 seconds. Then we took a step
 Wendy Candler
2/4/08
Lab 1 Write-up

forward and maintained a constant forward velocity for 3 seconds before stopping 1 second

before the 10 second limit.

8. When the slope of a velocity vs. time graph is zero, the object’s speed is constant. This can

be either in the positive of negative direction, or it could be standing still.

9. If the slope in a velocity vs. time graph is anything but zero the object is either accelerating

or decelerating.

Conclusion

In this lab I learned the importance of graph analysis and how graphs of distance vs. time

and velocity vs. time translate into real life. By actually creating the graph myself it was easier to

understand the data collected, and discovered how difficult it is to recreate the data on the

graphs. We also learned that there is no way to match our movements perfectly because of both

the technology and human errors.

When using technology, some times the computer program may glitch or the sensors

cannot detect the movements without a clear surface to track, however, most times the fault lies

with human performing the experiment. Taking steps caused the movements to become choppy

and inconsistent because there is no possible way for a person to maintain a precise speed or rate

of acceleration. Another major factor that we found was when the graphs changed slope there

was no way to replicate that precise transition without causing a gradual curve and slowing down

beforehand. Most of these errors are going to reoccur and cannot be completely removed. The

only way to get a more accurate graph would be too repeat the experiment over and over

hundreds of times slowly perfecting the runs until the student is able to match it as close as

possible.