Physics A: Problem Set 8: Graphs of motion

classwork/homework

1. worksheet-make-displacement.pdf
   The worksheet for this exercise consists of three small and one large displacement-time graph.
   1. Complete the three small displacement-time graphs from the information provided below each graph.
   2. The larger displacement-time graph shows the motion of some hypothetical object over time. Break the graph up into segments and describe qualitatively the motion of the object in each segment. Whenever possible, calculate the velocity of the object as well.
2. worksheet-make-velocity.pdf
   The worksheet for this exercise consists of three small and one large velocity-time graph.
   1. Complete the three small velocity-time graphs from the information provided below each graph.
   2. The larger velocity-time graph shows the motion of some hypothetical object over time. Break the graph up into segments and describe qualitatively the motion of the object in each segment. Whenever possible, calculate the acceleration of the object as well.
3. worksheet-choose-displacement.pdf
   The graphs on the accompanying pdf show the displacement of a hypothetical object moving along a straight line. Choose the lettered graph that best represents each of the numbered descriptions. A graph may be used for more than one description or it may not be used at all. Some descriptions may correspond to more than one graph and some may not correspond to any graph at all.
4. worksheet-choose-velocity.pdf
   The graphs on the accompanying pdf show the velocity of a hypothetical object moving along a straight line. Choose the lettered graph that best represents each of the numbered descriptions. A graph may be used for more than one description or it may not be used at all. Some descriptions may correspond to more than one graph and some may not correspond to any graph at all.
5. Sketch the displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs for…
   1. an object moving with constant velocity. (Let the initial displacement be zero.)
   2. an object moving with constant acceleration. (Let the initial displacement and velocity be zero.)
6. Sketch the displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs for each of the following scenarios. (Be prepared to explain your sketches.)
   1. An elevator that ascends from the lobby to the 36th floor, stops, descends to the 27th floor, stops, and returns to the lobby.
   2. A basketball is dropped on the court and allowed to bounce up and down several times undisturbed.
   3. A car on a test track performing a zero-to-sixty acceleration test. (This acceleration will not be uniform.)
   4. A race between a tortoise and a hare that unfolds just like the fable of the same name. (An acceleration-time graph is not necessary for this particular problem.)
   5. Two cars are adjacent to each other on a four-lane highway. The first car accelerates uniformly from rest the moment the light changes to green. The second car approaches the intersection already moving and is beside the first car at the instant the light changes. It then continues driving with a constant velocity.
   6. Traffic lights on some streets are timed to facilitate traffic flow at a certain speed. Goofus and Gallant are stopped at a red light on this kind of street. When the light changes Goofus hammers the accelerator until he exceeds the speed limit. He arrives at the next light which is still red and stops. Gallant accelerates at a reasonable rate and never exceeds the speed limit. The light turns green at just the right instant so that Gallant does not need to brake. Goofus accelerates and brakes again. Gallant continues driving at a constant speed.
7. worksheet-transform.pdf
   The graph below shows velocity as a function of time for some unknown object.

   

   1. What can we say about the motion of this object?
   2. Plot the corresponding graph of acceleration as a function of time.
   3. Plot the corresponding graph of displacement as a function of time.
8. Complete the table on the first page of worksheet-compare.pdf. Fill each grid space with an appropriately concise answer.