Physlet Physics by Christian and Belloni: Problem 2.17

2.1: Position and Displacement
2.2: Average Velocity
2.3: Average and Instantaneous Velocity
2.4: Acceleration and Measurement
2.5: Motion on a Hill or Ramp
2.6: Free Fall

Problem 2.17: Drag the black rectangle into position

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

Drag the black rectangle into position (between x = 0.5 m to x = 3.5 m) before you play the animation (position is given in meters and time is given in seconds). Play the animation in order to measure the time when the ball collides with the rectangle. After the ball collides with the rectangle, you must click "reset" to move the rectangle to a new position and play the animation again. Restart.

How would you describe the motion of the ball before it collides with the rectangle? How many measurements are needed to confirm your description?
Is the x trajectory of the ball best described using the equation for constant velocity or the equation for constant acceleration? Support your answer with actual measurements.
Find an equation for the x trajectory of the ball (before it hits the rectangle). What minimum number of measurements is required to determine this trajectory?

Physlets were developed at Davidson College and converted from Java to JavaScript using the SwingJS system developed at St. Olaf College.

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