ACTIVITY 1: Kinematics in One and Two Dimensions
Professor: Engr. Michael D.P. Pelaez
Subject: Basic Physics Laboratory 100.1
Duration: 3 hours
Name: Mejun E. Del Rosario Jr.
Date/Time: 08/23/25 1:00
Section: BS Civil Engineering_1ABD
I. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Kinematics is the study of motion without considering the forces that cause it.
One-dimensional motion involves objects moving in a straight line,
characterized by displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time. In two-
dimensional motion (e.g., projectile motion), objects move in a plane under the
influence of gravity. The horizontal and vertical motions are analyzed
independently.
II. LEARNNG OBJECTIVES
1. Describe motion in one and two dimensions.
2. Use kinematic equations to predict and analyze motion.
3. Collect and analyze data for uniform acceleration and projectile motion.
4. Draw and interpret motion graphs.
III. MATERIALS NEEDED
Inclined plane or ramp
Timer or stopwatch
Meter stick or tape measure
Toy car or ball
Carbon paper
Protractor
Projectile launcher or rolling ball setup
Graphing paper or software
IV. PROCEDURES
A. One-Dimensional Motion
1. Set up an inclined plane; mark equal intervals along the track.
2. Release the car/ball and time its movement between points.
3. Repeat three times per distance and compute average times.
4. Use data to calculate velocity and acceleration.
B. Two-Dimensional Motion
1. Launch a ball horizontally from a known height.
2. Use carbon paper to record impact location.
3. Measure time of flight and horizontal distance.
4. Calculate initial velocity and components.
V. DATA GATHERING / DATA TABLES
Table 1: One-Dimensional Motion
Distanc Time Time Time Avg Time Avg Speed s/t Acceleration a=2s/t²
e (m) 1 (s) 2 (s) 3 (s) (s) (m/s) (m/s²)
0.20 0.90s 0.89s 0.91s 0.90s 0.22m/s 0.50m/s²
0.40 1.27s 1.26s 1.27s 1.27s 0.31m/s 0.50m/s²
0.60 1.55s 1.54s 1.56s 1.55s 0.39m/s 0.50m/s²
Table 2: Two-Dimensional Motion
Time Initial Velocity
Trial Height (m) (s) Horizontal Distance (m) D/T(m/s)
1 0.60m 0.35s 0.70m 2.00m/s
2 0.80m 0.40s 0.90m 2.23m/s
3 1.00m 0.45s 1.10m 2.44m/s
VI. GUIDED ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
1. What is the relationship between distance and time squared?
For motion starting from rest with constant acceleration, distance is
proportional to the square of time: s=1/2 at².A plot of s vs. t² is a
straight line through the origin with slope a/2.
2. How did you calculate acceleration?
Acceleration was calculated using the formula a=2s/t² where s is the
distance traveled and t is the time it took.
3. What remained constant during projectile motion?
What stayed constant during projectile motion was the horizontal
velocity (speed going sideways).This is because there is no force
pushing or slowing the ball sideways (we ignore air resistance). Only
gravity acts downward, so the vertical motion changes (the ball speeds
up as it falls), but the horizontal motion stays the same all throughout.
4. How does launch height affect time and range?
If you launch a ball from a higher height, it will stay in the air longer
because it takes more time to fall to the ground.Since the ball has more
time in the air, it also travels farther horizontally (greater range), as long
as its sideways speed stays the same.
VII. REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What challenges did you encounter during measurement?
Some challenges I faced were starting and stopping the timer on time,
making sure the ball/car was released the same way every trial, and
measuring distances accurately without mistakes.
2. How do your results compare to theoretical values?
My results were close to the theoretical values, showing the same
patterns (like distance increasing with time² and constant horizontal
speed). The small differences were mostly because of timing errors,
friction, and air resistance.
3. How can data collection be improved?
Data collection can be improved by using more accurate tools like
motion sensors or photogates instead of a stopwatch, repeating trials
more times to get better averages, and measuring carefully to avoid
mistakes.
VIII. CONCLUSION
Summarize your findings on motion in one and two dimensions.( 3 to 4
Sentences)
In one-dimensional motion, the object’s distance increased with the
square of time, showing constant acceleration. In two-dimensional motion, the
horizontal speed stayed the same while the vertical motion was affected by
gravity. A higher launch height gave more time in the air and a farther range.
Overall, the experiment matched the basic ideas of motion in physics.
GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!
