Monday, June 17, 2013

Unit 3



Starting unit 3, we reviewed a bit about velocity vs. time graphs and then transferred our focus to acceleration. We were first introduced to acceleration when we were taught the second graphing rule "The slope of a velocity vs. time graph is the acceleration". This means acceleration is equal to change in velocity over change in time, which, in units, translates to m/s over s or m/s^2. Acceleration by definition means the change in velocity per unit of time and it is a vector quantity.

This image relates to unit 3 because today we did a lab using skateboards and "danger boards". In the lab we used both boards to roll down a ramp and then we collected the time at different distances. When we graphed the data we found that the boards accelerated as they rolled down the ramp, which created a curved line on our position vs. time graph.

We also learned how acceleration looks on the multiple different graphs. On a position vs. time graph, the line looks curved, on a velocity vs. time graph the line looks like a straight diagonal line, and on an acceleration vs. time graph it looks simply like a horizontal line. Then we learned about the three different equations involving acceleration. They are DAT, VAT, and VAD.

1 comment:

  1. I liked your definition of acceleration. It was short and to the point, which I found very helpful. I also liked how you explained the graphs simply, so that there wasn't any confusion.

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