Motion with Moving Man SIM
Representations of Motion
For this homework assignment, you will need to use the Moving Man Exploration
available here: . As you work through these problems focus on making sense of the
motion graphs and discuss your reasoning with your peers! What is the graph really
telling you about the motion? Graphs are used in science and many other areas (!) to
record and convey a whole lot of information, just like a photo of the foothills conveys a
whole lot of information about the area we live in. They provide a compact way to tell
the whole history of an object's motion.
1) (0.5 pts) First, orient yourself to the Moving Man tool by selecting the “accelerate”
motion from the choose motion list. With the moving man starting at a position of -8
m, set him to “accelerate” at 1 m/s2 from an initial velocity of 0. Observe the motion.
Also notice that the tool comes equipped with a playback feature and a double-bar
cursor that you may move with the mouse to probe position, velocity, and
acceleration along the graph.
What is his velocity when he crosses the origin (the position of 0 meters)?
4.0 m/s
2) (0.5 pts) Below is a graph of a balls motion. Use the Moving Man Applet to
reproduce the shape of this graph. Which of the following sentences gives the best
interpretation of the ball’s motion?
The ball moves along a flat surface. Then it moves forward down a hill, and then
finally stops.
The ball doesn't move at first. Then it moves forward down a hill and finally stops.
The ball is moving at constant velocity. Then it slows down and stops.
The ball doesn't move at first. Then it moves backwards and then finally stops.
The ball moves along a flat area, moves backwards down a hill, and then it keeps
moving.
Not answered
, 3) (1 pt) Use Moving Man to simulate the following scenario: A man starts at the
origin, walks towards the tree slowly and steadily for 6 seconds, then stands still for 6
seconds, and then turns around and walks towards the house steadily about twice as fast
for 6 seconds.
a) Which of the following velocity versus time graphs conveys this type of motion:
A B
C D E F G H ......... Not answered
b) Which of the following position versus time graphs also conveys this motion?
A B C D E F G H .......... Not
answered
4) (4.5 pts total) A car is traveling along a road. Its velocity is recorded as a function
of time and is shown in the graph below.
Representations of Motion
For this homework assignment, you will need to use the Moving Man Exploration
available here: . As you work through these problems focus on making sense of the
motion graphs and discuss your reasoning with your peers! What is the graph really
telling you about the motion? Graphs are used in science and many other areas (!) to
record and convey a whole lot of information, just like a photo of the foothills conveys a
whole lot of information about the area we live in. They provide a compact way to tell
the whole history of an object's motion.
1) (0.5 pts) First, orient yourself to the Moving Man tool by selecting the “accelerate”
motion from the choose motion list. With the moving man starting at a position of -8
m, set him to “accelerate” at 1 m/s2 from an initial velocity of 0. Observe the motion.
Also notice that the tool comes equipped with a playback feature and a double-bar
cursor that you may move with the mouse to probe position, velocity, and
acceleration along the graph.
What is his velocity when he crosses the origin (the position of 0 meters)?
4.0 m/s
2) (0.5 pts) Below is a graph of a balls motion. Use the Moving Man Applet to
reproduce the shape of this graph. Which of the following sentences gives the best
interpretation of the ball’s motion?
The ball moves along a flat surface. Then it moves forward down a hill, and then
finally stops.
The ball doesn't move at first. Then it moves forward down a hill and finally stops.
The ball is moving at constant velocity. Then it slows down and stops.
The ball doesn't move at first. Then it moves backwards and then finally stops.
The ball moves along a flat area, moves backwards down a hill, and then it keeps
moving.
Not answered
, 3) (1 pt) Use Moving Man to simulate the following scenario: A man starts at the
origin, walks towards the tree slowly and steadily for 6 seconds, then stands still for 6
seconds, and then turns around and walks towards the house steadily about twice as fast
for 6 seconds.
a) Which of the following velocity versus time graphs conveys this type of motion:
A B
C D E F G H ......... Not answered
b) Which of the following position versus time graphs also conveys this motion?
A B C D E F G H .......... Not
answered
4) (4.5 pts total) A car is traveling along a road. Its velocity is recorded as a function
of time and is shown in the graph below.
