5.2 Motion graphs

Interpreting motion graphsPractical 5.1PurposeTo understand how to interpret displacement-time graph and velocity-time graph.

Procedure1. Connect a motion senso

r, a datalogger interface and a computer as shown.

computermotion sensor

datalogger interface

Video: Practical 5.1

5.2 Motion graphs

2. Study the s-t graph on the right.

Procedure

3. Try to move in front of the motion sensor in such a way that a plot of your motion will match the s-t graph. 1 3 4 5 6 7 98 10 11

02

0.30.2

0.40.5

time / s

displacement / m

0.1

1.21.1

1.00.9

0.80.7

0.6

5.2 Motion graphs

4. Repeat the experiment with the v-t graph on the right.

Procedure

1 3 4 5 6 7 98 10-0.05

02

0.15

0.10

0.20

time / s

0.05

-0.10

-0.15

-0.20

velocity / m s-1

5.2 Motion graphs

(b) the area under a v-t graph?The area under a v-t graph gives the displacement of the object.

Discussion

What is the physical meaning of

(a) the slope of a s-t graph?The slope of a s-t graph gives the velocity of the object.