Speed, Displacement, and Velocity

Cards (7)

  • DISPLACEMENT
    distance in a given direction
  • VELOCITY
    rate of change of displacement with respect to time
  • CONSTANT VELOCITY
    • moves in straight line
    • does not speed up or slow down
  • (MANDATORY EXPERIMENT) MEASURING CONSTANT VELOCITY USING AN AIR TRACK
    • glider and card, air track, light gates, blower
    • air track should be level to ensure constant velocity
    • the scalar timer records the time it takes for the card to pass through, therefore we must measure the length of the card
    • use formula velocity = displacement/time
  • (MANDATORY EXPERIMENT) MEASURING CONSTANT ACCELERATION USING AN AIR TRACK
    • the air track should be level with weights attached to the glider by a string to allow for constant acceleration
    • the scalar timer records the time it takes for the card to pass through, therefore we must measure the length of the card
    • also must measure distance between time gates
    • calculate velocity first
    • then use vusat tables
  • ON A VELOCITY TIME GRAPH
    • slope = acceleration
    • area under graph = distance travelled
  • (MANDATORY EXPERIMENT) MEASUREMENT OF "g" BY FREE FALL
    • set apparatus as shown in diagram (circuit)
    • release mechanism
    • measure displacement (s)
    • record time (t)
    • PRECAUTIONS
    • avoid parallax
    • measure from bottom of ball to top of trapdoor
    • use heavy small ball to avoid air resistance
    • there can be a delay on the timer when the ball is dropped, so repeat exp 3/4 times and use the shortest time