Moving Man :

Student Lab Sheet

Name: Gary

Introduction and Purpose

In this activity, you will explore the ideas of constant velocity and begin to explore the
concept of acceleration. You will also review position vs. time graphs and while being
introduced to velocity vs. time graphs. You will compare how a position vs. time graph and a
velocity vs. time graph represent the same type of motion.

To Review:
At this point, you should understand some basic concepts in physics. You must know:
- The differences between distance and displacement, and speed and velocity
- Speed/velocity is constant when an object travels a uniform distance/displacement
per time interval
- That acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes

Part 1: Constant Velocity

Procedure
1. Through a web browser, navigate to http://phet.colorado.edu. Click "Play with Sims," then
"Physics," then "Motion," then choose the "Moving Man" simulation. Click "Run now" to start
the simulation. Your screen should display the image shown above. Before collecting data,
familiarize yourself with the features of the simulation.

2. There are two tabs for this simulation, called "Introduction" and "Charts." For today's
activity, you will use the "Introduction" tab. Reset all of the man's values to the
following:

Position (this is the mans initial position): -10.0 m

Velocity: + 2.5 m/s
Acceleration: 0 m/s2

3. Click to start the man in motion until he hits the wall, then hit to stop recording.

4. Use the playback feature to record the man's position (not distance or displacement)
and velocity data.
 Time (s) Position (m) Velocity (m/s)

0.0 -10 2.5

-7.5 2.5
1.0

2.0 -5 2.5

-2.5 2.5
3.0

4.0 0 2.5

2.5 2.5
5.0
5 2.5
6.0
7.0 7.5 2.5

8.0 10 2.5

Analysis (Part 1)
According to your graphs...

1. What shape is your position graph?

An inclining straight line

2. What shape is your velocity graph?

A straight line

3. Does your answer to #2 make sense? Why or why not?

Yes, because if something has a constant velocity, then it will be shown as moving in a
straight line, as it moves at the same rate every second.

Part 2: Constant Acceleration

Procedure
1. Reset all of the man's values to the following:
Position (this is the mans initial position): -10.0 m
 Velocity: 0 m/s
Acceleration: 0.5 m/s2

3. Click to start the man in motion until he hits the wall, then hit to stop recording.
4. Use the playback feature to record the man's position (not distance or displacement)
and velocity data. You may slow down the playback and pause when necessary to record the
data.

Time (s) Position (m) Velocity (m/s)

0.0 -10 0

-9.75 0.5
1.0
2.0 -9 1

-7.75 1.5
3.0
4.0 -6 2

-3.75 2.5
5.0
-1 3
6.0

7.0 2.25 3.5

8.0 6 4

Analysis (Part 2)
According to your graphs...

1. What shape is your position graph?

An inclining curve

2. Does your answer to #1 make sense? Why or why not?

Yes, because with the acceleration, the velocity constantly changes as it moves faster as time
goes by, which when shown on a graph, would be seen as an inclining curve.

3. What shape is your velocity graph?

An inclining straight line.
4. Does your answer to #3 make sense? Why or why not?

Yes, as the velocity increases over time due to the acceleration, so the graph shows the
velocity increasing over time.

Making Connections

1. While the man is accelerating, describe what happens to his (a) position, and (b) velocity
as each second passes.

As the man is accelerating, he is going faster as time goes by, so the velocity of
how fast he is going will continue to increase and also change his position from the
starting point to the last point.

2. What is the difference between an object with constant acceleration and an object with
constant speed?

If something is moving with constant acceleration, they are continuously increasing

in speed over time, meanwhile if something is moving with constant speed they are
going at the same speed, so it doesnt get faster nor slower.