DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS – Loyola University Maryland

PH291 – General Physics Lab I

Lab 2: Kinematics in One Dimension

Position, Velocity, and Time

The goal of this lab exercise is to help you develop your ability to interpret position, velocity and
acceleration graphs and to learn how they are related to each other.
Δx The velocity is the Δv The acceleration is the
v= derivative/tangent/slope of the
a=
Δt Δt derivative/tangent/slope of the velocity
position vs time graph. vs time graph.

LoggerPro Data Acquisition Software

Another goal of today’s lab activity is to introduce you to the LoggerPro data acquisition software.
Make certain everybody in your group has an opportunity to work with the software.

Vernier Motion Detector

In today’s lab, you will use a device known as a sonic ranger (Vernier Motion Detector), which uses
echolocation (using sound waves just like bats) to determine the distance between an object and the
device itself. The motion detector is interfaced to a computer, and the LoggerPro data acquisition
software allows you to acquire this distance information as a function of time. In this way, you can
easily produce graphs of distance vs time, and the software can also take derivatives to produce graphs
of velocity (or acceleration) vs time. After you click the run arrow button in the software, the sonic
ranger emits sound pulses “clicks” that bounce off an object and returns to the detector.
The data acquisition is set up to go on for 5 s.
The detector doesn’t work if the object is too close (less than ~ 1 foot = ~ 30 cm).
The detector doesn’t work if the object is too far (greater than ~ 2 m).

Qualitative Graphs
In what follows, when qualitative graphs are called for, transcribe the graphs produced on the
computer monitor as freehand sketches. Omit the beginning and ending parts of a graph that do not
represent the essential (idealized) qualities of the motion and smooth out your qualitative graphs to
remove “noise”. Omit the scales on the x, y, and t axis.

Printed Graphs
When printed graphs are called for you should make certain that your graph is labeled with its
corresponding letter from the lab and make certain the names of everybody in your group are
included. You can add a title to the graph by double clicking on the graph surface. You can add
names in the “Print Footer” in the “Printing Options” window that opens after you select “Print”.

Note that anytime you print something in this class you will need to

select “HoundPrint Workstudy BW on Papercutprodapp”

username: physicsws203
password: HoundPrint203

You can then go to the printer and use the ID card attached to the printer to obtain your printed output.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-1

Constant Velocity Motion

Velocity is the time rate of change of distance, and motion with a constant velocity is referred to as
constant velocity motion

(I) The “object” you will move for the first part of the lab is your own body. Set up the motion detector
so that you can walk directly away from it to about 2 meters from the detector. Position the computer so
that you can see the screen as you walk.

(I) Double click on the LoggerPro icon on the desktop. The program should open with a data table on
the left side of the screen and empty graphs for position versus time and velocity versus time on the right
side of the screen. Check with your instructor if this is not what you see.

(Ia) Walk away from the sonic ranger (Vernier Motion Detector) at a slow, steady pace. Practice several
times to try to generate as smooth a curve as possible. Sketch a qualitative graph of the position as a
function of time and of the velocity as a function of time below. When you are satisfied with your
curve, click the “Experiment” tab then “Store Latest Run” to save the curve.

(Ia) Now repeat this activity but walk away from the detector at a faster steady rate, make another
qualitative graph of this case [add to your previous (Ia) sketch below] and store your best result.

(Ib) Walk toward the sonic ranger (Vernier Motion Detector), at a slow, steady pace. Sketch a
qualitative graph of the position as a function of time and of the velocity as a function of time below.

(Ib) Now repeat these this activity but walk toward the detector at a faster steady rate, make another
qualitative graph of this case [add to your previous sketch (Ib) below].

(Ia) Walking away from the detector at a slower and at a faster rate.

(Ib) Walking toward the detector at a slower and a faster rate.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-2

You should now have four trials of constant velocity motions on your position and velocity graphs saved
in the computer. ***Print this (Ia & Ib) graph using landscape mode (“File”  “Page Setup”  select
“Landscape”) and label the curves.***

Question Ib1) What is similar about all of the position graphs?

Question Ib2) What is similar about all the velocity graphs?

Question Ib3) What are the differences for the graphs of motions at different speeds?

Question Ib4) What are the differences for the graphs of motions in different directions?

(Ic) Examine your velocity vs. time graphs

PH291 – Lab 02 2-3

 Estimate a numerical value for your average velocity in all four cases from looking at your velocity
vs. time graphs. (Focus on just a well-behaved, horizontally linear section of the velocity vs time
graph). (Don’t worry about sig. figs. here).

Average (mean) velocity v from visual examination, (don’t worry about sig. figs. here)

remember units

(Id) Examine your velocity vs. time graphs using “Statistics”

Use the “Analyze”  “Statistics” tool in LoggerPro to obtain estimates of the average (mean)
velocities. Select the data points of interest (focus on just a well-behaved, horizontally linear section)
in the velocity versus time graph by selecting those points using a pair of brackets that you can make
appear; you may change their positions to adjust the range of data that is used, then “Analyze” 
“Statistics.”

Record average (mean) velocity v and absolute uncertainty v (standard deviation in the statistics
box) from “Analyze”  “Statistics.”

Note: The last line of the statistics box says ∆v = number. This represents the difference between the largest and smallest
value of v; it is not the standard deviation of the velocity values.

In stating your results recall:

1) the absolute uncertainty should have 1 sig. fig. unless leading digit is a “1.”
2) the last significant figure of the stated answer should be in the same decimal position, as the uncertainty

remember units

(Ie) Examine your position vs. time graphs using “Linear Fit”
Select the data points of interest in the position versus time graph (by clicking and dragging over
those points), then “Analyze”  “Linear Fit” to determine the slope of the position versus time data.
Adjust the brackets so they include approximately the same range of data in the position vs time graph
as you previously selected in the velocity vs. time graph.
Double-click on the box displaying the linear-fit parameters and select the “Show Uncertainty”
boxes to display these absolute uncertainties.

remember units

PH291 – Lab 02 2-4

LoggerPro “Axis Options” to change vertical axis scale:
Left double click on an empty part of graph, an “Axes Options” box will pop up.
Scaling  Autoscale
Input desired new upper value into “Top” box and desired new lower value into “Bottom” box.

The menu under “Analyze  Curve Fit” can generate best-fit curves of data using many different functions, including
exponentials, trigonometric functions and general polynomials. “Linear Fit” is probably the most useful and we will have
many opportunities to use it this semester. In all of these fitting operations, the program determines the values of the
parameters of the curve (the m and b in the equation y = mx + b in the linear case) that gives the “best fit” curve to the
data. This is defined as the curve that minimizes the sum of all the squared differences between the line and each data point.
From this criterion we get the terminology “least-squares fit.” The program also generates uncertainties for the parameters
of the curve. This effectively gives a set of curves that all do a reasonable job of approximating the data.

Do the (Ie) Linear Fit results agree with the eyeballed estimated values you obtained in part (Ic)?
Use the uncertainties in answering this question.

Do the (Ie) Linear Fit results agree with the computer averaged values you obtained in part (Id)?
Use the uncertainties in answering this question.

Clear the screen by closing LoggerPro and then reopening it to get it ready for the next activity.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-5

(If) Predict the shapes of the position and velocity (idealized) graphs that would be produced by
walking away from the sonic ranger slowly and steadily for several seconds, stopping for several
seconds, and then walking back quickly toward the sonic ranger. First, make a sketch of your
predictions. Assume the same time t axis for the position and the velocity graphs. Then, do the
experiment and make a sketch of your sonic ranger result on the same graph as your prediction. Clearly
label your predicted and your experimental graph. You do not need to print this graph on the computer.

(If) Walking away slowly, stopping, walking back quickly

Position d(m)
Time (s)

Velocity v(m/s)

Time (s)

PH291 – Lab 02 2-6

 Are your predictions correct?

Are there any similarities between the predicted and measured graphs? If so, what are they?

Are there any differences between the predicted and measured graphs? If so, what are they?

How would you correct your predictions or change your movements to make these graphs identical?

Constant Acceleration Motion IIa: Position vs Time & Velocity vs Time

For the rest of this lab you will need to put the lab jack underneath the track to raise one end of it.

(IIa) Consider the graph of position vs time shown.

Before using the sensor, answer the questions.

Which direction is the object moving?

A) object starts at the detector and moves away
B) object starts away from the detector and moves towards it

Where should you place the detector?

A) at the highest point of the incline
B) at the lowest point of the incline

The object is
A) staying at constant speed
B) speeding up
C) slowing down

Before using the sensor, make a sketch below of what you think the velocity versus time graph will
look like.

Then, do an experiment with the sonic ranger to try to reproduce this motion. Sketch the v(t) result
on the same graph as your original curve. (Correct your answers to the questions above if necessary).

Predicted and measured velocity vs. time graphs

PH291 – Lab 02 2-7

 What is significantly different about the position in this case compared to the graphs in part (I)?
Discuss why this is so. You do not need to print this graph on the computer.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-8

Constant Acceleration Motion IIb: Position vs Time & Velocity vs Time
(IIb) Now consider the velocity versus time graph shown.
Before using the sensor, answer the questions.

Which direction is the object moving?

A) object starts at the detector and moves away
B) object starts away from the detector and moves towards it

At the initial time, the object is

A) moving toward the detector
B) stopped
C) moving away from the detector

At the final time, the object is

A) moving toward the detector
B) stopped
. C) moving away from the detector

The object is
A) staying at rest
B) speeding up
C) slowing down

Where should you place the detector?

A) at the highest point of the incline
B) at the lowest point of the incline

Before using the sensor, make a sketch below of what you think the position versus time graph will
look like.

Then, do an experiment with the sonic ranger to try to reproduce this motion., Sketch the d(t) result
on the same graph as your original curve. (Correct your answers to the questions above if necessary).

Predicted and measured position vs. time graphs

What is significantly different about the velocity in this case compared to the graphs in part (I)?
Discuss why this is so. You do not need to print this graph on the computer.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-9

Constant Acceleration Motion: Formulas & Signs
Acceleration is the time rate of change of velocity, and motion with a time-varying ⃗
x f −⃗x i
velocity is referred to as accelerated motion. In one dimension, the direction of the ⃗
v=
Δt
acceleration is given a plus or minus sign, which is determined by the sign of the
change in the velocity. ⃗v f −⃗v i
a=
⃗
Whether an object is speeding up or slowing down is determined by not just the sign Δt
of ⃗
a but by the relative signs of BOTH ⃗v i and ⃗
a.
⃗v =⃗v i +⃗a t

Summary of sign conventions

Position “x”: the sign of x is defined to be (+) in our experiment
For the kind of detector we have, cart can only go on one side of the detector; this side has been defined to be +

Velocity “v”: going away from the detector (+), going toward detector (–)

Acceleration “a”: pointing away from the detector (+), pointing toward detector (–)

Speeding up case: “v” and “a” have same signs; same directions
“a” strengthens/increases the length/magnitude of vector “v”:

Slowing down case: “v” and “a” have opposite signs; opposite directions
“a” opposes/shortens the length/magnitude of vector “v”:

⃗v i ⃗
a ⃗v i ⃗
a

Question 1: The initial velocity and the Question 2: The initial velocity and the
(constant) acceleration of an object are both (constant) acceleration of an object are both
directed to the right. How does the final velocity directed to the left. How does the final velocity
compare to the initial velocity? compare to the initial velocity?

A)
|⃗v f|<|⃗v i| and in same direction A)
|⃗v f|<|⃗v i| and in same direction
|⃗v |=|⃗v i| and in same direction
B) f
|⃗v |=|⃗v i| and in same direction
B) f
|⃗v |>|⃗v i| and in same direction
C) f
|⃗v |>|⃗v i| and in same direction
C) f
|⃗v |<|⃗v i| and in opposite direction
D) f
|⃗v |<|⃗v i| and in opposite direction
D) f
|⃗v |=|⃗v i| and in opposite direction
E) f
|⃗v |=|⃗v i| and in opposite direction
E) f
|⃗v |>|⃗v i| and in opposite direction
F) f
|⃗v |>|⃗v i| and in opposite direction
F) f

It’s difficult to mimic a truly constant acceleration by moving your body, but a variety of cases of
constant acceleration are found in nature. We will now look more closely at one of these, namely a
particle moving on an inclined plane. The “particle” that we will use is a cart that is designed to have

PH291 – Lab 02 2-10

very little friction. We will first let it roll down the inclined plane and measure its position using the
sonic ranger.
Constant Acceleration Motion IIc: Acceleration vs Time

(IIc) Using the lab jack, set-up the ramp with the sonic ranger at the top of the ramp and with the end of
that side of the ramp approximately 5 to 10 cm above the other end of the track. Place the stop at the
other end to prevent the car from falling to the floor but also make certain to have someone there to
catch the cart when it reaches the end. and acquire data as the car rolls down the ramp. Left double click
the axis label in the position vs. time d(t) graph to change the graph to acceleration vs. time a(t) graph.

Determining the acceleration from the data with two methods

Make sure that the “Statistics” and “Linear Fit” computer analysis use approximately the same range
of data by adjusting the corresponding pair of brackets.
(IIc2) From Acceleration vs. Time data (IIc1) From Velocity vs. Time data
Use “Analyze”  “Statistics” to get mean/average Use “Analyze”  “Linear Fit” to get slope

: :

Truncate digits appropriately.

In stating your final values recall:

1) the absolute uncertainty should have 1 sig. fig. unless leading digit is a “1.”
2) the last significant figure of the stated answer should be in the same decimal position, as the uncertainty
Compare the values from “Statistics” to the values from “Linear Fit”:

***Print this (IIc) graph with the “Linear Fit” and “Statistics” boxes displayed.***

PH291 – Lab 02 2-11

In part (IIc) the car was speeding up and moving downhill away from the sonic ranger, another
possibility is to keep the sonic ranger at the top of the ramp and start the car with an upward push from
the bottom of the ramp going uphill toward the detector, so that the car slows down when moving
toward the detector. Actually, there are four possible combinations (toward/away and speeding
up/slowing down), of which you have just measured and analyzed one.

(IId) Fill out your predictions for the four possible combinations in the table below. (You have already
done the first case). You can use the sonic ranger to collect data for the three remaining cases and
compare the signs of the accelerations to your predictions. Do they match? If not, resolve any
discrepancies.

The acceleration vector always points downhill regardless of where the detector is.

(IId) What are the signs? The side that the cart can go on has been defined to be +; cart cannot go on
other side of detector for the kind of detector that we have. (You can use the sonic ranger to help you
confirm your predictions).

Away from detector Away from detector Toward detector Toward detector
& speeding up & slowing down & speeding up & slowing down
detector at high end detector at low end detector at low end detector at high end

sign of “x”: sign of “x” sign of “x” sign of “x”

sign of “v”: sign of “v”: sign of “v” sign of “v”

sign of “a”: sign of “a”: sign of “a”: sign of “a”:

PH291 – Lab 02 2-12

(IIe) Next (with the sonic ranger/motion sensor on top of the ramp), you will consider the motion of the
car when it is started at the bottom of the ramp and given some initial velocity upward. It will travel up
the ramp, stop momentarily and then come back to the bottom.

Before you do the experiment, make sketches of your predictions for the position, velocity, and
acceleration graphs.

(IIe1) Predictions

Position d(m)
Time (s)

Velocity v(m/s)

Time (s)

PH291 – Lab 02 2-13

 Acceleration a(m/s2)

Time (s)

Then do the experiment without running the motion sensor program, practicing until you can get the
car to turn around when it is ~ 1 foot = ~ 30 cm from the top.

(IIe2) Now (with the sonic ranger/motion detector at the top of the ramp), repeat the experiment while
recording data. Remember to continue recording until the car returns to the bottom of the ramp. If the
graphs look a bit odd at the time when the cart is at the top of the ramp, it may have come too close to
the detector. If so, try again.

***Print this (IIe2) graph.***

(IIe3) Does the experimental result match your prediction? If so, congratulations; now explain clearly
what your reasoning process was. If not, figure out why and correct the problem; then explain clearly
exactly what your mistake was.

(IIe4) The shape of the graph may look strange for some early time interval of the motion. There is a
good reason for this; explain it.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-14

Staple the 3 printouts (Graph 1 Ia & Ib), (Graph 2 IIc), (Graph II IIe) to the back of the write-up in
order.

PH291 – Lab 02 2-15