Motion Maps

Motion Map Parts The dot: Indicates the position of the

object

The arrow: indicates the direction and

speed of the object. (sometimes called a

vector)

Dots and Arrows Together

Dot alone = not moving.

Dot and arrow together: Position, direction and speed.

Direction and Size Right = positive direction

Left = negative direction

The longer the arrow, the greater the velocity.

SLOW

FASTER

FASTEST

The grid…. Motion Maps are drawn along a grid to show the

position of the object.

Draw a minimum of 3 arrows to show a pattern.

Forward, Constant Velocity, Slow

Forward, Constant Velocity, Faster

More Complicated Motion…

•The object moves forward at constant velocity,

•then stops and remains in place for two seconds,

•then moves backward at a slower constant velocity.

Example 1Example 1

Draw a motion map.

The car is accelerating!

Each successive arrow is longer, indicating the velocity is increasing.

Example 2Example 2

The car is accelerating!

Each successive arrow is SMALLER, indicating the velocity is decreasing over time.

The car is NOT moving.

A dot indicates time is passing, but no arrow means no velocity.

The car is moving at constant velocity!

The arrows are all the same size, this indicates that the velocity is NOT changing.

A softball player slides into second base. Use the particle model to draw a motion diagram of the player from the lime he begins to slide until he reaches the base. Number the dots in order, starting with zero.

A skydiver jumps out of an airplane. Her speed steadily increases until she deploys her parachute, at which point her speed quickly decreases. She subsequently falls to earth at a constant rate, stopping when she lands on the ground. Draw a motion diagram, using the particle model, that shows her position at successive times and includes velocity vectors.

A car travels to the left at a steady speed for a few seconds, then brakes for a stop sign. Use the particle model to draw a motion diagram of the car for the entire motion described here. Number the dots in order. starting with zero.

Interpret the problem by drawing a motion diagram (do not solve the problem). In a typical greyhound race, a dog accelerates to a speed of 20 m/s over a distance of 30 m. It then maintains this speed. What would be a greyhound’s time in the 100 m dash?

Interpret the problem by drawing a motion diagram (do not solve the problem). The giant eland, an African antelope, is an exceptional jumper, able to leap 1.5 m off the ground. To jump this high, with what speed must the eland leave the ground?

Write a one or two sentence “story” about a real object that has this motion diagram. Your story should talk about people or objects by name and say what they are doing.

A bowling ball is at rest at the top of an incline. You nudge the ball giving it an initial velocity and causing it to roll down an incline. At the bottom of the incline it bounces off a sponge and travels back up the incline until it stops.