Chapter 1 Lab
Name _ ___________________ Motion in 2D Simulation
Go to http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Motion_in_2D and click on Run Now.
1) Once the simulation opens, click on ‘Show Both’ for Velocity and Acceleration at the top of the page. Now click and drag the red ball around the screen. Make 3 observations about the blue and green arrows (also called vectors) as you drag the ball around.
1. The green vector moves in the direction of the mouse until the red ball catches up to it.
2. The blue and green vectors move in opposite directions as the red ball slows down.
3. The faster you move the mouse, the longer the blue vector becomes.
2) Which color vector (arrow) represents velocity and which one represents acceleration? How can you tell?
The green vector represents velocity because it is moving in the same direction as the mouse. The blue vector represents acceleration because acceleration does not require a direction, it is simply a measurement of a rate of change.
3) Try dragging the ball around and around in a circular path. What do you notice about the lengths and directions of the blue and green vectors? Describe their behavior in detail below.
The green vector remains in the same position as the mouse. The length does not change unless you direct it to by making larger circles. The blue vector changes depending on the speed at which you are making the circles. The quicker the circles, the longer the blue vector becomes.
4) Now move the ball at a slow constant speed across the screen. What do you notice now about the vectors? Explain why this happens.
The green vector remains present until the red ball comes to a stop. The blue vector is present, but only for a short period, until you have reached the constant speed. The blue vector returns when the ball slows to a stop, pointing in the opposite direction to indicate a decrease in speed. The blue vector (acceleration) is not present because you are moving the mouse at constant
Go to http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Motion_in_2D and click on Run Now.
1) Once the simulation opens, click on ‘Show Both’ for Velocity and Acceleration at the top of the page. Now click and drag the red ball around the screen. Make 3 observations about the blue and green arrows (also called vectors) as you drag the ball around.
1. The green vector moves in the direction of the mouse until the red ball catches up to it.
2. The blue and green vectors move in opposite directions as the red ball slows down.
3. The faster you move the mouse, the longer the blue vector becomes.
2) Which color vector (arrow) represents velocity and which one represents acceleration? How can you tell?
The green vector represents velocity because it is moving in the same direction as the mouse. The blue vector represents acceleration because acceleration does not require a direction, it is simply a measurement of a rate of change.
3) Try dragging the ball around and around in a circular path. What do you notice about the lengths and directions of the blue and green vectors? Describe their behavior in detail below.
The green vector remains in the same position as the mouse. The length does not change unless you direct it to by making larger circles. The blue vector changes depending on the speed at which you are making the circles. The quicker the circles, the longer the blue vector becomes.
4) Now move the ball at a slow constant speed across the screen. What do you notice now about the vectors? Explain why this happens.
The green vector remains present until the red ball comes to a stop. The blue vector is present, but only for a short period, until you have reached the constant speed. The blue vector returns when the ball slows to a stop, pointing in the opposite direction to indicate a decrease in speed. The blue vector (acceleration) is not present because you are moving the mouse at constant