Digital Story Assignment: Position-Time Graphs

Group Members (Max = 4):

Digital Story Assignment: Position-Time, Velocity-Time, and Acceleration-Time Graphs

This assignment will involve creating a video or PowerPoint presentation (or acting the situation out) to describe a motion situation. You are welcome to use your smartphones to tape the video or create a slideshow. Other options include Movie Maker or iMovie.
This project can be done in groups of up to 4 people (no more). Everyone in the group must discuss one portion of the graph within the movie or presentation. These will be played for the class at a later date (or acted out – your choice).

The final product should be approximately 2 to 3 minutes in length. If you would prefer to act it out or speak alongside the slideshow that is fine as well. As long as it is narrated!

You have 3 days to work on this (1 full day and two half days).

Instructions:

1)  Decide on your group:

2)  Come up with a scenario that will describe an example of accelerated motion. The scenario must have parts that are accelerated and parts that are uniform motion.

Rough idea:

3)  Create a position-time graph that corresponds to your situation. Your graph must include:

1. Total of at least 4 sections of graph
2. At least one curved section.
3. At least one horizontal section.
4. At least one sloped section.

Draw a rough sketch of the dt graph after thinking about the following:

Think about:

a)  units for the time axis and the displacement axis

Time Units: Displacement units:

b)  directions (and therefore slope) of each section

c)  how does the section on the graph connect to the scenario

d)  how (if) you can connect the section to your scenario

Rough Graph: Remember to include labels, scales, units

4)  Describe each section of the graph in as much detail as possible. This means discussing where the object started from in terms of the reference point (or origin). It also means finding the displacement of the object over each time interval along with the velocity (speed and direction!). You should also think about comparing the speed of each section, if the object stops at all, etc. You may want to write this up in paragraph form or in table format. This will not be needed for the video but must be handed in.

Come up with a story regarding your position time graph. Include the mode of transportation and an object that you can use in the story. You may also want characters, etc.

Describe the object’s motion in a complete story. Be descriptive but make it sound like an actual story. You will narrate this story (or act it out) in the video.

5)  Calculations (dt graph):

1. Include at least one example of instantaneous velocity from your dt graph
2. Include at least one example of average velocity from your dt graph
3. Include at least one example of time and displacement/distance from your dt graph
4. Describe when the acceleration occurs and what type it is (speeding up, slowing down, going forward, going backward).

6)  Create a v-t and an a-t graph to go along with the story. Remember labels, scales, units. These graphs must link to the original dt graph.

You may find using a table such as the one below helpful:

7)  Create a powerpoint or movie (or similar – just ask your teacher first!) that involves the graphs with the descriptions as well as pictures or video captivating the story. Each type of graph should be featured at least once during the film.

8)  Practice reading the story so it flows well. You can read the story as your powerpoint flows if you want. You can record it and play it along with the powerpoint if you would prefer.

9)  You may want to add sound effects or songs to add to it! Have fun!

What do I need to hand in?

Each group must hand in a movie or powerpoint (or similar) unless they are acting out the scenario.

Each group must hand in a set of 3 graphs. They can be hand drawn or done on computer. Each graph must be labeled, scaled, have units, be drawn with a ruler (for all straight lines).

Each individual must hand in a paragraph outlining what they contributed, how the group worked together, what they enjoyed/didn’t enjoy about this project, and any improvements to the project for the future.

Your group must hand in the project as 1 project. ALL TOGETHER. Neatly.

Rubric:

Total: 50 pts