21.6 CHAPTER 21. MOTION IN ONE DIMENSION
You will also often be required to draw graphs based on a description of the motion in
words or from a diagram. Remember that these are just different methods of presenting the
same information. If you keep in mind the general shapes of the graphs for the different
types of motion, there should not be any difficulty with explaining what is happening.TipThe description of the
motion represented
by a graph should
include the following
(where possible):
1. whether the
object is
moving in
the positive
or negative
direction
2. whether the
object is at
rest, moving
at constant
velocity or
moving at con-
stant positive
acceleration
(speeding up)
or constant
negative ac-
celeration
(slowing down)Formal experiment: Position versus time using a ticker
timer
Aim:
To measure the position and time during motion and to use that data
to plot a “Position vs. Time” graph.
Apparatus:
Trolley, ticker tape apparatus, tape, graph paper, ruler, rampbbbbbbbbb
Motion at constant velocitybbbbbbbbbb
Motion with increasing velocityMethod:
1. Work with a friend. Copy the table below into your workbook.
2. Attach a length of tape to the trolley.
3. Run the other end of the tape through the ticker timer.
4. Start the ticker timer going and roll the trolley down the ramp.
5. Repeat steps 1 - 3.
6. On each piece of tape, measure the distance between successive
dots. Note these distances in the table below.
7. Use the frequency of the ticker timer to work out the time intervals
between successive dots. Note these times in the table below,
8. Work out the average values for distance and time.
9. Use the average distance and average time values to plot a graph
of “Distance vs. Time”onto graph paper. Stick the graph paper
into your workbook. (Remember that “A vs. B” always means “y
vs. x”).
10. Insert all axis labels and units onto your graph.
11. Draw the best straight line through your data points.
Results:416 Physics: Mechanics