Car Lab!

Car Lab

     The lab performed this week was the car lab, where the question was how does the position affect the distance compared to the reference point?  A reference point is the starting point that an object is being compared to.  For example, the reference point of a person on a tile.  This is the starting point.  In mathematical terms, think of this point as possibly (0,0) but not necessarily always.  Now, if you walk 3 spaces up, and one back, how will this effect your position from the reference point?

Question:  What relationship exists between the time the buggy runs and the position?

Here is a video.  Lessons are easy to follow more than words!

Here are some definitions to know:
displacement: the moving of something from its place or position
position: the distance from the reference point in a specific direction
reference point:  non-moving point to start from or compare the position to (refer)

     First of all, the first part of the graph and lab completed was simply the position of the car in 5 second intervals.  The points we could improve on to make the graph more accurate are:

• Mark the car from the back instead of the front for more accuracy without knocking the car off the track.  (Tape line that extended for about 3 meters)
• Run more tests to get more precise data.

     Secondly, the second part of the lab was to start it at a different position.  This point would be 50 centimeters away from the reference point.  The speed was the same, but the y-intercept differed.  How would this effect the graph?  Would the line go through the reference point? Wait to see in the next post!

**This will be edited and updated in the future.  Teenagers tend to forget things.  Even if they ask there teacher after school on a Friday if they have to write a blog post.  Their teacher says yes.  And then they STILL forget to bring their physics binder home.  So.  Thank you.  Sorry for the inconvenience.
***Edited 10/27/13