Casey Coleman

Brogan, Dylan, Jake

Group #3
9/17/14
Why so many labs about basic movements? Try Two
Beginning Question
What is the mathematical and graphical representation among distance and time in accordance to
a car on a slope? Prediction: as the distance increases, the time will as well. This will happen in
what is known as an indirect relationship. As time goes on, the cars speed will increase
making it a parabola graph shape for our data points.
Materials:
Lab Quest, Vernier car, Vernier cart ramps (railing), two photogates, rail holder, metal pole.
Procedure
To begin, lay the railing down on the rail holder as approximately a five degree angle. Then
place the photogates ten centimeters apart from each other attached to the railing. Insert metal
pole into the top of the car, this will activate the photogates. Starting the car so the metal pole is
less than a centimeter away from the first photogates, release the car and let the photogates
capture the time data in logger pro for you. Repeat this step three times so you have an accurate
average of the data. Now, move one photogates an extra ten centimeters further, so the two
photogates are now twenty centimeters apart. Record the data three times at this distance. Now
you are going to continue adding ten centimeters distant each time until you hit a final distance
of one hundred centimeters apart.

As for safety precautions, the regular rules apply, such as closed toe shoes and being careful with
not dropping the heavy metal railing. Other than that, there should be no safety issues with this
lab.
Data, Observations, Calculations
Distance VS Time Data Table
Distance (m)

Trial 1 (s)

Trial 2 (s)

Trial 3 (s)

Average

Velocity

1/2 average

time (s)

(Displaceme time (s)

nt/time)

10

.716028

0.748082

0.61757

.693893

14.4114

0.346992

20

0.993609

0.94785

0.966029

.969163

20.6364

0.484582

30

1.305134

1.432341

1.35323

1.36357

22.0011

0.681785

40

1.632102

1.578773

1.587825

1.59957

25.0067

0.799785

50

1.79843

1.787393

1.849135

1.81165

27.5991

0.905825

60

1.989088

2.022712

1.993742

2.00185

29.9723

1.00093

70

2.135549

2.138378

2.156421

2.14345

32.6576

1.07173

80

2.308498

2.338956

2.310245

2.31923

34.4942

1.15962

90

2.484605

2.473695

2.517517

2.49194

36.1164

1.24597

100

2.609074

2.625477

2.601681

2.61208

38.2837

1.30604

Calculations:
(2.135549s+2.138378s+2.156421s)/3=2.14345s Average time for given distance
10cm/.693893s=14.4114cm/s finding velocity

.693893s/2=0.346992s Half of average time

Observations: The more distance the car traveled, the faster it began to move.
Graphs
Displacement VS Average Time

Final Displacement(cm)=46.52cm/s*Time+-28.77cm
Displacement VS Average Time Squared

Final Displacement(cm)=13.88cm/s2*Time2+4.698cm
Velocity VS Average Time

Final Velocity(cm/s)=23.55cm/s/s/2*1/2 Average Time+6.915m/s

Velocity VS Displacement

Final Velocity(cm/s)=.2491cm/s/cm*Displacement+14.42cm/s
Velocity Squared VS Displacement

Final Velocity2((cm/s)2)=13.61(cm/s)2/cm*Displacement(cm)+94.25(cm/s)2
Claims and Evidence
Gaga: Xf=1/2a(t2)+(Vi)t+Xi
Flava-Flav: Vf=a^t+Vi
Gma: Vf2=2a^X+Vi2
Our variables are Xf is final displacememt, a is acceleration, t is time, Vi initial velocity, Xi initial
displacement, Vf is final velocity, and X is displacement at that current time. Superscript of two
also means that that the variable is squared. To find acceleration, we used a formula looking like
this: (Vf-Vi)/t. This formula provided us with our acceleration, which we plugged into each
claimed theory equation with the other data we were given to prove that it all adds up. For
example, here is the work for Gaga: 100cm=1/2*(38.2837cm/s14.4114cm/s)(2.612082s)+(14.4114s)* (.693893s)+10cm. Step 1:
100cm=1/2*23.8723cm/s*6.82296s+9.9999cm+10cm. Step 2: 100=81.4398cm+19.9999cm.

Step 3:100cm=101.439cm. This proves that are theory equations do add up, the slight error is
just rounding errors.
Errors and Improvements
The wheels of the car get stuck every few center meters and put a drag or friction on the car,
slowing it slightly and disrupting our data. The table may have been at a slight angle causing the
cars velocity to show higher than it actually should have been; I believe this to be the case
because the car always tried to roll off the table when it was set down on the wheels. To improve
this, we could get either smoother wheels for the car, or we could get a rail that fit the wheels
perfectly causing no slight pulls on the car. To improve the slope of the table, we could use a
level too make sure that the table is not slanted, if it is we could do the experiment elsewhere.
Readings and reflections
Readings: The source stated that the kinematic equations are a set of four equations that can be
used to find information that we do not have at the time being relating to the objects motion. This
is only the case however if we are given all data except for one thing (what we will be solving
for). It then lists the equations that we used in class to find our theory equations.
Citation: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-6/kinematic-equations
Reflections: Through the experiment, I felt I had a pretty good idea of what was happening, and
what would happen in future steps of the experiment. As these became true, I did see some slight
variation from my expectations, such as how the velocity of the car increased significantly when
it started rolling. I also realized how important the general math used in labs is. When comparing
to another group, I realized how different all of their graphs were. What was so surprising was
that their given data was almost exactly the same, it was just their mathematical errors and
possibly their rounding that changed their graphs from what ours looked like. In future labs, I

will make sure I continue to be as precise as possible and check my math to prevent errors from
showing on my lab reports.