9/20/2011 Nyaega

As we walked into class today, we were instructed to turn in our pair check from the previous day. From our folders we were to pick up our graded kinematics discovery lab, and our graded vector test. We were to leave our kinematics problems #1 worksheet on the table so that Mrs. Coats-Haan could come around and check for completion. Coats-Haan then gave each table two answer keys to the worksheet so that we could check our answers and ask questions. After this, we completed a two question worksheet, “Following Jack”, that demonstrated the relationship between position and time regarding speed.
We set that sheet aside and began taking notes on the nature of position vs. time graphs, as well as the nature of velocity vs. time graphs. In position vs. time graphs, the slope of the line represents the objects velocity. If the slope is positive, the object is moving right; if the slope is negative, the object is moving left. If the line is parallel to the x axis (horizontal), then there is no movement. A vertical line, which has undefined slope, is meaningless. A line that is not straight means that the velocity is changing. If the position is positive, the line is to the right of the origin (0, 0) and if it’s negative, the line is to the left.
In velocity vs. time graphs if the velocity is positive, the object is moving to the right and if the velocity is negative, the object is moving to the left. If the line is parallel to the x axis(horizontal), then the velocity is constant. If the line is curved, the velocity is not constant. A velocity vs. time graph does not tell you the initial position of the object.
We completed these notes and using various positions vs. time graphs and velocity vs. time graphs found in our lab manual, we performed the different motions of the object described in each graph using hot wheels. Following this, Mrs.Coats-Haan introduced us to a very cool motion sensor device that not only senses motion, but also graphs the velocity and position of a moving object at a given time! We were then introduced to our new lab, “Graphing the Look of Motion”, in which we are to use this device to detect our movement. Many of us did not get to begin this lab, as class was almost over. Our homework was a graphing practice worksheet.

Question of the Day: You are chasing a truck full of chicken nuggets that keeps going faster and faster, describe the position vs. time and the velocity vs. time graph for the truck's motion.

Answer: For the position vs. time graph our graph begins to the right of the origin. The line itself has an upwardly shaped curve, like that of the positive half of a parabola. For the velocity vs. time graph our graph also begins to the right of the origin, but its line is linear with a positive slope.