Motion Lab Activity
Page 6 of 19
First, we will make a Position Versus Time graph for the man when he is moving in the positive direction at a slow and constant velocity.
Make sure the man starts at the location marked "0 meters." See the image below. If the man is not at 0 meters, drag him there with your mouse.
Make sure the man starts at the location marked "0 meters." See the image below. If the man is not at 0 meters, drag him there with your mouse.
Hit the "Pause" and/or "Clear" buttons at the bottom of the simulation screen. Then, use your mouse to slowly and steadily drag the man from the position marked "0 meters" to the position marked "6 meters." You may need to practice a few times to get the motion just right. Make sure you hit the "Pause" and/or "Clear" buttons between attempts.
A blue line should appear in the Position Versus Time graph below the man. If a graph does not appear when you move the man, click the "Play" button at the bottom of the screen immediately before you start dragging the man with your mouse.
When you moved the man from 0 meters to 6 meters, the man was moving in the positive direction, and so he had a positive velocity. How do we know he was moving in the positive direction. Complete the self-quiz below to find out.
Click HERE if you are unable to see the self-quiz below.
Click HERE if you are unable to see the self-quiz below.
Why is the Moving Man's Velocity Positive? Self-Quiz
- When you moved the man from 0 meters to 8 meters, he was moving in the positive direction, and so he had a positive velocity. How do we know he was moving in the positive direction when he moved from 0 meters to 6 meters?
- We know he was moving in the positive direction because he was moving to the right.
- We know he was moving in the positive direction because his final position was positive.
- We know he was moving in the positive direction because his final position was greater than his initial position.