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The Missing Manual
A New Tool for Measuring
You have to make some measurements, and you are given a new tool for making them.

The problem is that the manual for the tool is missing. You'll need to discover how to use it by experimenting on your own!

The tool is sort of an automatic ruler, because it measures distance instantly. But it also measures time. It's called a motion probe, and it reports its measurements on a graph.

Your motion probe plugs into a USB port on your computer. Place it so that you can see the computer screen while standing in front of it.

Please go on to the next page.


Try It Out
Experiment with the motion probe. Work in teams. Take turns. One person is the “computer operator” who starts, stops, and clears the graph. Another person is the “mover” who stands in front of the probe and moves.

Try different motions such as moving forwards and backwards and side-to-side. After you have had some time to experiment, make a graph and describe what you did. Click Submit to share what you discovered. You can always submit more than once.






Describe in detail what you did to make this graph. For each part of the line, include such information as where you stood, what direction you moved, and at what speed you moved.
Draw a Landscape
Use the motion probe to draw a “picture” on the graph below.

Draw a landscape of a flat plain with two mountains of different heights and steepnesses. Share the roles of mover and computer operator with your team. Submit when you are satisfied with your graph.

























Describe how you made this graph. Remember to include as much detail as you can.
Draw a Staircase
Draw another picture, this time, of a staircase. Try making steep and gentle staircases. Think about how you control the height and width of the stairs. Then answer the question and submit.











Describe in detail how you made your staircase graph.
Predict Your Motion

We found part of the Missing Manual that contains the graph below, but the instructions for making the graph are missing! Study the graph and write a procedure to make the graph by moving in front of the motion probe.








Describe in detail the steps necessary to make this graph. 1. Stand very close to the probe for 3 seconds. 2. Move 2 meters backwards for 3 seconds. 3. Stand still for 3 seconds. 4. Move 1 meter towards the probe for 3 seconds. 5. Stand still for 3 seconds.
Test Your Prediction
Now, test your instructions (displayed below) with the motion probe! Follow your instructions carefully to see if you have correctly predicted the motion. If you find that you missed something, return to the previous page and revise your instructions and Submit them.

Your instructions:










What did you need to revise in your procedure? Describe what you learned by revising your instructions.
The End
Thanks for your hard work learning how the motion probe works and its graph describes motion!

You may close this window when you are done. Your work will be saved.