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Milton S. Gomez
Professor Chang-ren Chen
Physics 101
Jan 31st, 2016
Jerk & Driving Science Fair Project
Introduction
Physics is a science in which there is a significant emphasis on the motion of objects. Commonly,
High School physics begins with the study of a simple physical concept: the position of an object. First,
the change in position is analyzed to determine the displacement of the object. This change in position
conceptualizes an intuitive and important concept, namely that objects are at a distance from one another.
The next step, then, is understanding that the distance between objects can change over time, leading to
the concept of speed and velocity. However, experience dictates that the velocity of an object is not a
constant thing. The way objects experience a change in motion allows us to conceptualize that there can
also be a change in velocity with respect to time. This concept, acceleration, allows the analysis of objects
as their velocities change due to one of the many influences the objects can experience in the real world.
Commonly, this is as far as the analysis of motion is taken in high school physics.
However, it is equally intuitive to observe that the acceleration objects undergo is not constant,
and this is outlined in many of the problems presented in physics. Objects begin to accelerate as forces are
applied, or changes in acceleration occur as objects collide. This change in acceleration with respect to
time is called the jerk of an object, and is a concept that is key to the way motion is experienced in
everyday life. As is implied by the name, jerk characterizes how jerky the motion of an object is,
whether it is that experienced by the liquid inside a cup being held by a person in motion, or the
smoothness experienced by a person being driven around. The object of this experiment, therefore, is to

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try to determine the relationship between change of an objects motion and the smoothness perceived by a
person undergoing the motion.
This experiment is designed to measure the acceleration of a subject being driven around in a
vehicle as the experimenter applies varying changes in acceleration. The acceleration of the vehicle is
recorded and the relative comfort of the subject are recorded over time, where the relative comfort of the
subject is characterized by the amount of pressure applied on a soft ball equipped to record the pressure
applied on it. The gathered data is then used to determine the relationship between the jerk of the motion
and the relative comfort of the subject. In this experiment, the independent variable is the acceleration
applied to the subject, and the dependent variable is the comfort perceived by the subject.
Hypothesis
It is predicted that the subject will exhibit a significant level of discomfort if the jerk in the
motion of the vehicle is above a certain threshold.

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Materials
Vehicle
Accelerometer (e.g., a phone accelerometer with the corresponding vehicle mount)
Ball-shaped pressure sensor.
Data collection unit configured to record received data with relation to time (e.g. phone with a
designated app)
Data analysis unit (e.g., laptop)
Procedure
1.) The vehicle is equipped with the accelerometer, and the accelerometer is configured to feed
the data to a data collection unit
2.) The subject is seated on the front passenger seat of the vehicle and is given the ball shaped
pressure sensor.
3.) The experimenter explains that the subject is to squeeze the sensor when experiencing a
4.)
5.)
6.)
7.)

discomfort with the ride, with a stronger squeeze indicating a higher level of discomfort.
The pressure sensor is configured to feed the data to a data collection unit.
The experimenter is seated on the drivers seat and starts the vehicle
The data collection unit begins recording
The experimenter drives around a designated track, varying the level of acceleration and

occasionally producing an abrupt change in motion (a jerk).

8.) After completing the run around the track, the data collection unit is stopped and the data is
stored in the data analysis unit.
9.) Steps 2-8 are repeated for each subject in the experiment.
10.) The data in the data analysis unit is processed to determine local maxima and minima in the
jerk experienced by the subjects and stored within a data set.
11.)The comfort data is normalized to eliminate the factor of variable grip strength amongst the
subjects.
12.) The normalized comfort data associated with the maxima and minima of the jerk function are
found, and these are formed into a data set.

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13.) The data set is analyzed to determine the relationship between jerk and the relative comfort
of the subject.

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Works Cited
Gibbs, Philip, and Stephanie Gragert. "What Is the Term Used for the Third Derivative of Position?" Third
Derivative of Position. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.
Russell, Tony, Allen Brizee, and Elizabeth Angeli. "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL.
Purdue U Writing Lab, 4 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 July 2010.
Stern, Becky. "Sensing Squeeze." Becky Stern. N.p., 30 Sept. 2007. Web. 9 Feb. 2016.