Kinematics

Kinematics

To explore kinematics, we will use the handspring vault.

Using the video analysis software Kinovea, we have determined that the gymnast's maximum speed in the run is 6.64m/s.

Acceleration is the difference between the maximum speed and the original speed, relative to time. Using the software, we determined that the gymnast's run takes about three seconds. Knowing this, and that the gymnast starts at rest, we can determine her acceleration.

Projectile motion is demonstrated after the repulsion phase. The video below shows the tracked height of the gymnast in the flight phase after repulsion.

This graph show that the gymnast's path is almost identical to a parabola, with small discrepancies due to measurement issues on the video.

Cool!