Title: Gee, Is Something On Sale Today?

Background: People sometimes get annoyed in lineups, especially if progress seems too slow.

Process: Remember to include axis labels and units in graphs and units in all calculations.

1. Make a simple time-position graph of a Teacher Assistant in a food lineup. Her motion starts from a

    spot close to the vending machines. Think: is the motion continuous? at an even pace?

2. a) What is the point of reference?

    b) the frame of reference?

3. If it takes 2.6 mins for the Teacher Assistant to advance 18 m, what is her average velocity?

4. At 12:35 a student is 5.5 m from his reference point and at 12:37 they are 21.4 m from it. Find his

    average velocity for this time period.

5. At 12:38 a student heads back to her table, 25 m away. By 12:40, she is there. Find her average velocity

    for this time period.

6. Plot the following data in a time-position graph of a friendly student’s progress back to their table.

    time (min): 0.15 0.4 0.6 0.75 0.95 1.15 1.7

    position (m): 10.4 6.8 5.7 4.4 3.5 2.3 0.9

7. Now, find the slope of the graph.

8. What does the slope tell us about the student’s motion?

9. a) How might students benefit from your analysis of cafeteria lineups?

    b) What about our Administration?

10. What is the main reason we have controlled access to our cafeteria?