Experiment 2: Kinematics of Human Motion

Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila, Philippines

Abstract
motion and uniformly accelerated motion,
Kinematics is a branch of classical and to determine one’s normal reaction time
mechanics describing the motion of bodies and his reaction time while being distracted.
and systems without considering the mass of
an object and the force behind an event.
There are four activities in this experiment, 2. Theory
first is graphical analysis of human motion
and it involves displacement vs. time and Kinematics is a branch of mechanics
velocity vs. time with a graph given. Second which deals with the idea necessary to
graph matching where experimenters will define an event or motion regardless of the
copy the pattern given by the file in the cause. The moving object is the center of the
computer. Third, graphical analysis of experiment noting the details of the action
motion where in a span of 10 seconds the using velocity and acceleration. There are
total displacement is 2.49 m, average formulas relevant and essential in the
velocity is 2.49 m/s and the instantaneous experiment of kinematics of human motion:
velocity is 4.98 m/s2. Last would be the �= √2ℎ�
reaction time, members of the group
measured their normal reaction time from t = time h = distance in meter stick
0.0186-0.243 g = 9.8m/s2

1. Introduction Average velocity = ∆�∆�

Life is in constant motion. Mastery Instantaneous velocity = ∆�lim�→0∆�∆�

of motion has been critical to our survival
and success as a species. Kinematics is a Where
topic under Dynamics that describes motion
without regard to its causes. In this ∆x = change in distance
experiment, kinematics focuses in one
dimension: a motion along a straight line. ∆t = change in time
This kind of motion, actually any kind of
motion, involves velocity, displacement, and
acceleration with regards to time. The 3. Methodology
objectives of the experiment are to draw the
displacement versus time graphs and The instrument that was used to
velocity versus time graphs for uniform determine the graphs for uniform motion
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

and the uniform accelerated motion in the first

activity (Graphical Analysis of Human motion.)
The outcomes were predicted through sketching The fourth activity, was a test the
the displacement versus time graph and velocity reaction time of each of the members, each
versus time graph in different conditions. With were supposed to catch a meter stick (Figure.2)
the use of the Logger Pro (Figure.1) a graph of suspended by another person with their thumb
motions was produced with variable conditions. and index finger starting at the 50 cm mark,
while the other person drops the meter stick
without warning. The same procedure was
performed but this time, while being distracted,
by talking to the other person.

4. Results and discussion

Figure.1 The logger pro sensor used in the first and
second activity For activity 1, graphical analysis of
human motion, the experimenters were first
asked to predict and sketch (Figure.3), and
On the second activity titled Graph produce, using the Vernier Logger Pro program,
matching we were presented with two graphs in (Figure.4) the appearance of the displacement
the computer screen we were to mimic the vs. time and the velocity vs. time graph for a
graphs by accomplishing certain kinds of person moving away with constant velocity
motions. The devise used to sense the different from a chosen starting point for a period of 10
motions was also the Logger Pro. seconds.
The third activity, Graphical analysis of
motion, required one of our group mates to
walk in a straight line for 10 seconds starting
form rest. The distance travelled every second
was measured and used in computing the
instantaneous velocity and average velocity.
The results were then plotted.

Figure.2 A meter stick that was used to measure the

reaction time in the fourth activity
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

person is moving away (positively) from the

Figure.3: Predicted Displacement vs. Time (top) and origin.
Velocity vs. Time (bottom) graphs of a person moving
away from the origin with constant velocity
Second was for a person moving toward
a chosen starting point with constant velocity
for a period of 10 seconds.

Figure.5: Predicted Displacement vs. Time (top) and

Velocity vs. Time (bottom, red line) graphs of a
person moving toward the origin with constant
Figure.4: Produced Displacement vs. Time (top) and
velocity.
Velocity vs. Time (bottom) graphs of a person
moving away from the origin with constant velocity.

From the displacement vs. time graph, it

can be observed that the line is moving
positively since what was asked for was a
person moving away. Naturally, the
displacement of the person will increase as he
steps away from the origin as time goes by.
From the velocity vs. time graph, it can also be
seen that it is in a straight line with the same x
values since what was asked for was a constant
velocity. This was done by walking in a
constant speed as time goes by. It would be in a Figure.6: Produced Displacement vs. Time (top) and
position higher than zero (positive) since the Velocity vs. Time (bottom) graphs of a person moving
toward the origin with constant velocity.
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

displacement is at zero. Once again, the

velocity is constant having the same x values
but this time, instead of them being positive, the
From the displacement vs. time graph, it
x values are negative since the person is
can be seen that it moves negatively, from a
moving toward (negative) the origin. Third was
high displacement at 0 sec to an almost 0
for a person moving away from a chosen
displacement at 10 sec. This is because the
starting point along a straight line with
starting point of the person is at a point away
increasing speed for 10 seconds.
from the origin, ending at the origin where the

Figure.7: Predicted Displacement vs. Time (top) and

Velocity vs. Time (bottom) graphs of a person moving
away from the origin along a straight line with
increasing speed

Figure.8: Produced Displacement vs. Time (top) and

Velocity vs. Time (bottom) graphs of a person moving
away from the origin along a straight line with
increasing speed

Here, the displacement is gradually

moving upward over time because the speed
also needed to increase at the same time. To
accomplish this, the steps taken must be larger
as time passes. This is why the displacement
gradually increases. The velocity on the other
hand, is moving positively in a straight line
since the speed is increasing constantly over
time. It is not clearly seen in the produced
graph since getting higher values of velocity
would need higher displacement as well but this
cannot be done due to limited space.

For activity 2, graph matching, a

displacement vs. time graph and a velocity vs.
time graph needed to be reproduced.
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

For the first graph, the following was For the second graph, the following was
shown along with the experimenter’s attempt at shown with the experimenter’s attempt.
reproducing it.

Figure.9: Given Displacement vs. Time graph to be Figure.10: Given Velocity vs. Time graph to be
reproduced (black line) with attempted reproduction reproduced (black line) with attempted reproduction
(red line) (red line)

To reproduce this, the person did not

move from his position for approximately 1 To reproduce this, the experimenter had
second. This, in turn, gave a consistent zero to stay still for approximately two seconds. This
displacement. Then, he had to move away from produces a line with zero velocity as there was
the origin for approximately 2 seconds (3- zero speed. Then, he had to move consistently
second mark) and had to stop, once again for away from the origin for approximately 3
approximately 3 seconds (6-second mark). This seconds (5-second mark). This produced an
produced the positive movement in the elevation in the velocity which turns into a
displacement as the person moved away from plateau since the person consistently moves in
the origin, then since he stopped moving again that speed. He had to stay still for
a line with the same displacement was approximately 2 seconds (7-second mark),
produced. After, he had to move closer to the producing the depression at the velocity since
origin for approximately 1.5 seconds (7.5- there was, again, zero speed. Finally, he had to
second mark) and lastly, he had to stop for move towards the origin at a constant speed for
approximately 5 seconds (10-second mark), the last 3 seconds (10-second mark) producing
producing a line moving negatively as he was the negative line as he was moving towards the
walking towards the origin and another line origin, and another plateau since he was
with the same displacement as he stopped moving constantly at that speed and direction.
moving, respectively.
Total Ave. Inst.
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Time Displac Velocity Velocity

(s) e (m/s) (m/s) Table 2 shows the obtained reaction
ment time of each student while being idle and while
calling.
(m)
1 .90 0.90 1.80 Reaction
2 1.47 1.47 2.94
Reaction Time (s)
3 1.23 1.23 2.46 Student
Time (s) while
4 1.87 1.87 3.74
5 1.59 1.59 3.18 calling
6 1.06 1.06 2.12 1 0.207 0.243
7 1.16 1.16 2.32 2 0.064 0.186
8 1.60 1.60 2.20 3 0.163 0.202
9 2.18 2.18 4.36 4 0.202 0.202
10 2.49 2.49 4.98 Table 2. Reaction Time

Instantaneous Velocity (m) vs Time (s) The table shows the reaction time of the
6
experimenters while dropping a meter stick
without any signal and another while the other
5
members are distracting the particular student
4 conducting the experiment. Student 2 had the
3 best reaction time with 0.064 seconds while
2 being idle and 0.186 seconds while being
distracted by the other students.
1
0 5. Conclusion
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ta
ble 1. Measured and calculated data on the From this experiment, the displacement
distance travelled every second vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs for
Graph 1. Instantaneous Velocity vs Time uniform motion and uniformly accelerating
motion of humans in given situations had been
Based on the results, the student was not predicted, sketched, and compared to real time
able to achieve constant velocity. Although it results. From here, it can be said that velocity
can be seen that the student accelerated from can be constant while displacement is
second 1 to the 10th, human error came into increasing in a straight line. It can also be said
place and gave inconsistent velocities every that at increasing velocity, displacement also
second. gradually increases, showing a slightly curved
line.
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

The displacement, average

velocity, and instantaneous velocity per second Displacement vs. Time from Home to UST
was also determined for a person walking at 20
constant acceleration. From the results, it can be
15
seen that as velocity increases, so does the
displacement since achieving constant Displacement (km)
10
acceleration would need larger steps thus 5
having larger displacements. This can be seen
as the increments of total displacement, average 0
velocity, and instantaneous velocity increase
every second. Time (min)
The group members’ normal reaction
times and their reaction times while talking had
also been determined. From the results, it can Figure 1: Displacement vs. Time graph from home to UST
be said that, on average, the reaction times are
slower when talking compared to when they are Displacement vs. Time from UST to home
concentrated.
0
-2
6. Applications
-4
-6
1. Devise a way to determine the height of a
building using only a stopwatch. Displacement (km) -8

2. From the point of view of physics, is there a -10

basis to the law banning the use of -12
cellphone while driving? -14
From the point of view of physics, -16
just like in the reaction time experiment Time (min)
conducted, the students exhibited better
reaction times when not distracted by
anything. This can be related to driving
while using a mobile phone which greatly Figure 2: Displacement vs. Time graph from UST to home
(origin)
reduces the drivers’ reaction time and could
be a great danger to the safety of motorists.
3. Draw your displacement versus time graph
and velocity versus time graph from your
home on your way to ust and back.
 Experiment 2: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements
Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino

Department of Math and Physics

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila Philippines

Velocity vs. Time from Home to UST Velocity vs. Time from Home to UST
60 0
50
-10
40
30 -20
Velocity km/hr
20 Velocity km/hr -30
10
-40
0
-50

Time (min) -60

Time (min)

Figure 3: Velocity vs. Time from Home to UST

Figure 4: Velocity vs. Time from UST to Home (origin)