Physics Motion Graphs Activity Subject: Physics Prepared by: Lindsay Davis Overview and Purpose: Students will

learn about the motion graphs of moving objects. Educational Standards 1221.01 Understand the methodology of using the computer in physics experiments. 1221.02 Understand different methods of measurement and the errors inherent to each. 1221.04 Understand the general relationships among position, velocity, and acceleration for the motion of a body along a straight line. 1221.05 Understand the basic mathematical relationships involving distance, time, velocity, and uniform acceleration. 1221.06 Understand the motion of a falling object in the absence of friction. 1221.07 Understand the special case of two-dimensional motion.

Objectives: Students will learn about motion graphs by creating their own videos of moving objects and analyze the resulting motion graphs using the Vernier Video Physics app. Materials Needed: tablet or smart phone per lab group Downloaded Vernier Video Physics App (Cost: $2.99) High speed WiFi access is necessary for downloading the app; after the initial download internet access is not required. metersticks stopwatches (or use of stopwatch on tablet or smart phone) A projector connected to a tablet with the app Other Resources: (websites, videos, books, etc.) Youtube video introducing how to use the Vernier Video Physics App: recommended for instructor viewing before the lesson. Information on Motion Graphs

Review of Motion Graphs: The three motion graphs for a moving object are the displacement vs. time, the velocity vs. time, and the acceleration vs. time graphs of the object. These three

graphs are often set up in a column with displacement, then velocity, then acceleration at the bottom. As one moves down the graphs, the slope of the displacement graph gives the instantaneous velocity, and the slope of the velocity graph gives the instantaneous acceleration. One can also use areas under the curve to move up the column of graphs. Verification: Steps to check for student understanding

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Observation of students progression in the activity Circulate in the classroom to ensure all groups and students are engaged. Discuss the slopes and areas of a set of graphs with each lab group.

Activity: Students will construct a hand made graph done as a class, and analyze the graphs using slopes and areas. Place meter sticks on the ground, and have a student walk next to the meter sticks with a constant velocity. Video this motion for use in the next part of the activity. Lead the class through constructing the three motion graphs for the students constant velocity by hand on graph paper. Show that the slopes can be used to move down the graph, and that the areas can be used to move up the graphs. Students will learn how to analyze a video using the Vernier Video Physics app. Use the classroom projector to lead the class through the process of dragging the video just taken of the students constant velocity walk into the apps video window. Show how to select the object to be analyzed, and how to use the metersticks in the video as a distance reference. (This process is shown in the youtube resource video) Discuss with the class how the videos on the app are the same as the ones hand drawn in class, but possibly with some jerky movements due to the students velocity not being perfectly constant. Students will create several examples of motion graphs by using the vernier app to analyze the video of: 1. A student standing still 2. an object dropped straight down a stairwell 3. An object thrown with an initial horizontal velocity 4. An object thrown with an initial velocity at an upwards angle. Students will predict the shape of the graphs for various motions by attempting to match the given motion graphs drawn on the board. Students will make their own motion graphs matching challenges by trading their motion graphs with other groups and attempting to match the graphs.

Notes For a moving person, the motion graphs tend to be a bit jerky. This is part of data analysis, and should be discussed that the best fit line of the students motion graphs is what is important in the analysis. The Educational standards listed align with the Idaho state standards, found on my districts website: Boise School Districts Curriculum objectives for High School Physics.