(1 point)

Title of the Experiment: Constant Velocity Motion in One Dimension

Student’s name: Jay Powel
Section SLN:
TA’s Name:
Week of the experiment:

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 OBJECTIVE (3 points):
“To explore and understand the concepts of displacement, speed, and velocity in one-dimensional
motion with constant velocity, and to model these relationships through position vs. time and velocity
vs. time graphs.”

PART 1: Object moving away from the motion sensor.

EXPERIMENTAL DATA (1 point):

Table 1
Run Time (s) Position (m) Distance Displacement Speed Velocity
# [Initial & [Initial & End] (m) (m) (m/s) (m/s)
End]
1a 2.594 & 3.877 0.611 & 0.931 0.3198 0.3198 0.2470 0.2470
1b 4.027 & 5.995 0.968 & 1.459 0.4904 0.4904 0.2500 0.2500
1c 6.019 & 8.969 1.465 & 1.826 0.3609 0.3609 0.2510 0.2510

Table 2
Run # Slope (m/s) Y-intercept (m)
1 0.2491 -0.0346
2 0.6975 -0.7930
Name of Physics quantity Velocity Velocity
(i.e. position, distance, etc.)

Table 3.
Run # Average Velocity, (m/s) Standard deviation (m/s)
1 0.2470 0.6182
2 0.7010 0.6586

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Figure 1: Graphs for Run 1

Figure 2: Graphs for Run 2

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DATA ANALYSIS (4 points):
Below: show the equation with the plugged-in numbers used in run 1 to calculate: the cart’s
distance; cart’s displacement; cart’s average speed; cart’s average velocity. Remember to use
“+” or “- “sign to identify the cart’s direction when you find vector quantities.

1. Calculations for Run 1:

 Distance (d): Final Position - Initial Position
d=0.931 m−0.611 m=0.320 m
 Displacement (Δx): Since there is no directional change, displacement equals the
distance.
Δ x =0.320 m
 Average Speed (v): Calculated using the formula:
Distance 0.320 m
Average Speed= = =0.2470 m/s
Δt 3.877 s−2.594 s
 Average Velocity (vavg ): Since direction is constant, average speed and average velocity
are identical.
v avg=0.2470 m/s
2. Calculations for Run 2:
 Distance (d): Final Position - Initial Position
d=1.826 m−1.465 m=0.361 m
 Displacement (Δx): Similar to Run 1, displacement equals distance.
Δ x =0.361 m
 Average Speed (v): Calculated using the formula:
Distance 0.361 m
Average Speed= = =0.2510 m/s
Δt 8.969s−6.019 s
 Average Velocity (vavg ): Since direction is consistent, average speed and average
velocity are the same.
v avg=0.2510 m/s

For run 1 and 2 calculate the percent difference between the average velocity from the slope of
the x(t) graph and mean velocity from v(t) graph.

3. Percent Difference Between Average Velocity and Slope

Using the provided slopes for Run 1 and Run 2, we’ll calculate the percent difference between the
average velocity (from v(t) graph) and the slope of the position vs. time (x(t)) graph.
 Percent Difference Formula:

|( |
Slope - Average Velocity
Percent Difference= ×100
Slope + Average Velocity
2 )
 Run 1:
Slope=0.2491 m/s , Average Velocity=0.2470 m/s

| |
0.2491−0.2470
Percent Difference= ×100=0.85 %
0.2491+ 0.2470
2
 Run 2:
Slope=0.6975 m/s , Average Velocity=0.7010 m/s

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 | |
0.6975−0.7010
Percent Difference= ×100=0.50 %
0.6975+0.7010
2

Using equation 5, substitute in your slope and y-intercept to create an

equation that describes the motion of the cart:

4. Equation of Motion (Using Equation 5)

Using the slope and y-intercept for each run, we substitute into the linear equation
x (t)=y-intercept +(slope)⋅t to describe the motion of the cart.
 Run 1:
x (t)=−0.0346+0.2491 ⋅t
 Run 2:
x (t)=−0.7930+0.6975 ⋅t
This analysis includes all required values from the data and their respective calculations based on
the final tables provided.

PART 2: Object moving toward the motion sensor.

EXPERIMENTAL DATA (1 point):

Table 4
Run Slope (m/s) Y-intercept (m) Name of Physics quantity
# (i.e. position, distance, speed, etc.)
3 -0.8948 8.540 Velocity
4 -0.9007 7.292 Velocity

Table 5.
Run # Average Velocity, (m/s) Standard deviation (m/s)
3 -0.905 0.5024
4 -0.904 0.4998

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Figure 3: Graphs for Run 3

Figure 4: Graphs for Run 4

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DATA ANALYSIS (2 points):
For run 3 and 4 calculate the percent difference between the average velocity from the slope of
the x(t) graph and mean velocity from v(t) graph.

1. Calculations for Run 3:

o Slope from Position vs. Time Graph: −0.8948 m/s
o Average Velocity from v (t) Graph: −0.905 m/s
o Percent Difference Calculation:

|( |
Slope−Average Velocity
Percent Difference= ×100
Slope + Average Velocity
2 )
Substituting values:

|( |
−0.8948−(−0.905)
Percent Difference= ×100
−0.8948+(−0.905)
2 )
|( |
−0.8948+0.905
¿ ×100
−1.7998
2 )
¿ |−0.8999
0.0102
|×100 ≈ 1.13 %
2. Calculations for Run 4:
o Slope from Position vs. Time Graph: −0.9007 m/s
o Average Velocity from v (t) Graph: −0.904 m/s
o Percent Difference Calculation:

|( |
Slope−Average Velocity
Percent Difference= ×100
Slope + Average Velocity
2 )
Substituting values:

|( |
−0.9007−(−0.904)
Percent Difference= × 100
)
−0.9007+(−0.904 )
2

|( |
−0.9007+ 0.904
¿ ×100
−1.8047
2 )
¿|−0.90235
0.0033
|×100 ≈ 0.37 %

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Using equation 5, substitute in your slope and y-intercept to create an
equation that describes the motion of the cart:

Using Equation 5, x (t)=y-intercept +(slope)×t :

 Run 3:
x (t)=8.540+(−0.8948)⋅t
 Run 4:
x (t)=7.292+(−0.9007)⋅t

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION PART 1 and PART 2:

(4 points)

1. Concept of Motion and Key Quantities:

o Concept of Motion: Motion is the change in position of an object over time. In this
experiment, motion is analyzed through quantities like distance, displacement, speed, and
velocity, using graphs of position vs. time and velocity vs. time.
o Distance vs. Displacement: Distance is the total path traveled by the cart, regardless of
direction. Displacement, however, measures the straight-line distance between the initial
and final positions of the cart, considering direction. Thus, displacement is a vector
quantity, while distance is scalar.
o Speed vs. Velocity: Speed is the rate at which the object covers distance and is always
positive. Velocity, however, is the rate of change of displacement and includes direction,
making it a vector quantity. The presence of negative velocity in Run 4 indicates that the
cart was moving towards the motion sensor, which aligns with the observed position-time
graph slope.
o Constant Velocity Motion: In constant velocity motion, the object’s velocity remains
uniform, and there’s no acceleration. For such motion:
 Position as a Function of Time: Position ( x ) is expected to change linearly with
time (t ) under constant velocity, as seen in equations like
x (t)=y-intercept +slope ⋅t .
 Velocity as a Function of Time: Velocity remains constant over time, as
indicated by the flat horizontal lines in the velocity vs. time graphs for each run.
This flat line implies a steady rate of displacement in a consistent direction.

2. Analysis of Major Results and Theoretical Agreement:

o Summary of Results for Runs 1 to 4:
 Run 1 and Run 2 (Moving Away): The cart moved away from the sensor at
consistent slopes of 0.1484 m/s and 0.1931 m/s, respectively. The average
velocities measured were also in close agreement with the slopes, showing
minimal percent differences.
 Run 3 and Run 4 (Moving Toward): The cart moved toward the sensor with
slopes of -0.8948 m/s and -0.9007 m/s, with the respective average velocities
from the velocity-time graph being -0.905 m/s and -0.904 m/s. The negative
slope and velocity indicate motion towards the sensor, and the percent

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 differences calculated were very small, signifying close alignment between
position-based slope and the average velocity from the velocity-time graph.
o Theoretical Agreement: The results align well with the theoretical concepts of constant
velocity motion. The minimal percent differences confirm that the experimental
conditions approximated constant velocity, supporting the linear relationship expected in
both the position vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs.
o Negative Velocity in Experiment 2: The negative velocity observed in Runs 3 and 4
reflects the direction of motion towards the sensor, which aligns with the definition of
velocity as a vector quantity. This directional change is consistent with the slopes on the
position-time graph and provides evidence of controlled, bidirectional motion in the
experimental setup.
o Meaning of Slope in Position-Time Graph: The slope in a position-time graph
represents the velocity of the cart. A positive slope indicates motion away from the
sensor (positive velocity), while a negative slope denotes motion toward the sensor
(negative velocity). This direct relationship between slope and velocity helped confirm
the consistent motion direction and speed across different runs.

3. Conclusion:
This experiment successfully demonstrated the principles of constant velocity motion through
direct measurement and graphing. The consistency between slope-based velocity and average
velocity, the correct interpretation of negative velocity for direction, and the alignment with
theoretical expectations all suggest that the lab objectives were achieved. These results support
the theoretical model of constant velocity and validate the relationship between slope in position-
time graphs and actual velocity in directional motion studies.

PART 3. Matching position vs. time graphs

EXPERIMENTAL DATA (1 point):

Insert the best match for the position vs time graph.

Figure 5: Required Match Graph for Run 5

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 Figure 6: Graph for Run 5

Discussion Run 5:
(2 points)

In this experiment, the goal was to replicate the position vs. time graph by manipulating the movement of
the cart. The initial position of the cart started at approximately 1.75 meters, as depicted on the graph. The
cart moved in a complex manner, with changes in position that included a descent, a period of constant
position, and a rise back up to a final position near 2 meters. This trajectory aligns well with the required
pattern in the target graph.
1. Initial Position and Movement:
o The cart began at a high position (~1.75 m) and moved downward, simulating a decrease
in position until around 5 seconds. This drop required precise control to ensure a smooth
decline.
2. Middle Section (Constant Position):
o Between approximately 10 to 15 seconds, the cart’s position remained mostly constant,
indicating a period where the cart was held still or moved very minimally. This constant
position section reflects the middle plateau in the target graph.
3. Final Position and Ascent:
o Around the 15-second mark, the cart was gradually moved upwards, following an incline
pattern until reaching near the 2-meter mark by 20 seconds. This was the final phase in
the motion replication and required steady upward movement to match the upward slope
shown in the graph.
4. Challenges in Replication:
o Maintaining the precise timing and smooth transitions at each segment was challenging.
The initial drop required a controlled descent without abrupt changes in velocity. The
constant segment demanded steadiness, and the final ascent needed gradual acceleration
to match the upward trend without overshooting the final position.

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 5. Matching Success:
o The experimental graph closely mirrors the target graph, with a successful alignment in
key sections: initial drop, constant middle section, and final ascent. Minor deviations may
stem from slight timing inaccuracies, but overall, the replication was effective and
demonstrated good control over the cart's movement.
In summary, this run successfully matched the position vs. time pattern by carefully controlling the
motion phases of the cart. This experiment illustrates how constant and controlled adjustments in motion
can produce a complex, predefined trajectory on a position vs. time graph.

PART 4:
(3 points)
Run 6: Show calculation (use eqn. 5) used to predict the final position of the cart on the track.

1. Prediction:

Using the equation:

x=x 0 +V 0 ⋅t
Given:
 x 0=80 cm
 V 0=−20 cm/s
 t=3 s
Calculate:
x=80+(−20)×3=80−60=20 cm
Predicted Position: 20 cm

2. Experimental result from the table/graph.

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 Figure 7: Graph for Run 6

From the experimental graph provided for Run 6 (in Logger Pro or the data table), observe the actual
position of the cart at t=3 s. The value from the graph is approximately 23.5 cm based on a close reading
of the graph’s position data.

Experimental Position: 23.5 cm

3. Report the final Position of the cart at the end of the time interval:

After 3 seconds, we have:

 Predicted Position: 20 cm
 Experimental Position: 23.5 cm

Discussion Run 6:
(3 points)

Explanation:
The position as a function of time equation used here was x=x 0 +V 0 ⋅t , which assumes constant velocity.
This theoretical prediction allowed us to calculate the cart’s position at a specific time, considering an
initial position of 80 cm and a velocity of -20 cm/s.

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Comparison and Discrepancy:
The predicted position (20 cm) and the experimental position (23.5 cm) show a noticeable discrepancy.
The difference of 3.5 cm between the predicted and observed values may suggest an unaccounted factor,
such as slight deviations in constant velocity or sensor inaccuracies. The discrepancy could also result
from friction or slight variations in the initial velocity over the course of the experiment.

Conclusion:
The objective of this part was partially met, as the predicted and experimental values were close but not
exactly aligned. This difference emphasizes the potential for real-world factors like friction or
experimental error to affect results. Despite the discrepancy, the general trend supports the constant
velocity model as a valid approximation for predicting motion, though it has limitations when applied to
actual experimental conditions.

RESULTS (3 points):

Table 6. PARTS 1 & 2 (Report results below with 4 significant figures)

Average velocity (m/s)
Run # Position vs. Time graph Velocity vs. Time graph % Difference
1 0.2491 0.2470 0.84%
2 0.6975 0.7010 0.50%
3 -0.8948 -0.905 1.13%
4 -0.9007 -0.904 0.36%

Table 7. PARTS 1 & 2 Equations of motion

Run # Substituted Equations of Motion (equation 5)
1 x (t)=−0.0346+0.2491 ⋅t
2 x (t)=−0.7930+0.6975 ⋅t
3 x (t)=8.540+(−0.8948)⋅t
4 x (t)=7.292+(−0.9007)⋅t

Table 8. PART 4 final position of cart after t,s

Predicted position: Experimental position:
(_____,s) (_____,s)
0.200 0.235

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Discussion_Summary:
(2 points)

1. Concept of Motion and Quantities:

o Motion describes the change in position of an object over time, typically quantified by
metrics such as distance, displacement, speed, and velocity. Distance refers to the total
path covered, while displacement is the straight-line measure from the starting to the
endpoint, considering direction. Speed is a scalar, representing how fast an object moves,
whereas velocity, a vector, includes both speed and direction.
o Constant velocity implies that both speed and direction remain unaltered. For such
motion, the position-time graph is linear, with slope indicating the velocity. If velocity is
constant, the graph shows a straight line, and position changes uniformly over time.
2. Relationship of Position and Velocity in Constant Velocity Motion:

o With constant velocity, position x (t) changes linearly with time t , represented by
x (t)=x 0 + v ⋅ t , where x 0 is the initial position and v is the constant velocity. Thus, the
slope of the position-time graph equals the velocity.
o Similarly, the velocity remains steady over time in such cases, reflected by a horizontal
line on the velocity-time graph.
3. Major Results Analysis and Theoretical Comparison:

o For each run, the slope and velocity values closely matched theoretical expectations.
Runs 1 and 2 had positive slopes and velocities, indicating motion away from the sensor,
while Runs 3 and 4, with negative values, indicated movement toward the sensor.
o The percent difference calculations confirm high consistency between the values obtained
from the position vs. time graph and the velocity vs. time graph, validating experimental
accuracy.
4. Negative Velocity Interpretation in Experiment 2:

o The negative velocity in Runs 3 and 4 signifies motion toward the sensor. Since velocity
is directional, the sign informs the direction of motion, with positive indicating motion
away and negative indicating toward.
5. Slope in Position-Time Graph:

o The slope of the position-time graph represents the velocity of the object. A positive
slope means the object moves away from the origin, while a negative slope indicates
motion toward the origin.

Summary

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The objective was to understand constant velocity motion by analyzing position, distance, displacement,
speed, and velocity and distinguishing between scalar and vector quantities.

The lab was successful, with experimental results closely matching theoretical expectations. The percent
differences across trials were minimal, confirming accuracy in data collection and adherence to the
concepts of constant velocity motion. The final results demonstrate a clear understanding of the
relationships among position, time, and velocity under constant velocity conditions.

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