Purpose

1. Purpose Understand how and when objects accelerate. Understand the nature of acceleration. Understand the relationship of acceleration, velocity, and position versus time.

2. Acceleration: Any time the velocity changes, an acceleration occurs. The direction of the acceleration is in the same direction as that of the change of velocity. (Be careful: That is not necessarily in the same direction as the velocity vector! For example, during braking the direction of acceleration is opposite to the velocity vector.)

3. Equipment Carts with wheels rolling on tracks. Motion sensors track position, velocity, and acceleration of carts versus time. 4 different track configurations (do one of each) - Single flat track with one motion sensor - Single sloped track (put a wood block under one side of flat track) with one motion sensor. - Double track V-shaped with motion sensors at both ends - Double track, one track flat, the other sloped with motion sensors at both ends Note for double tracks: - Two groups can work on a double track simultaneously (analyzing cart motion from the two different sides). - Do not change the slopes of double tracks. Change to the other double track instead. - Motion sensors may need adjustment (see next slide).

4. Adjusting the motion sensor if needed (double track)

5. Predictions Some activities require you to make prediction sketches of measurements. Do not erase your prediction sketches after you have performed the measurements. You will not be graded on those predictions; they are just there to help you learn.

6. Hints When using the Data Studio software for a prolonged time, you may experience that it begins to malfunction. To avoid this type of trouble, it is best if you launch Data Studio fresh. If necessary, close Data Studio and start it up again.