This investigation gives students an opportunity to develop an understanding of speed and introduces acceleration. By measuring distance and time, they will calculate the speeds of moving objects. Students will also learn to convert from metres per second to kilometres per hour for everyday motion such as walking, running and riding a scooter, skateboard or bicycle. An understanding of speed provides a foundation for the concept of acceleration (changing speed) and ultimately the concept that a force is needed to change the speed of an object.
In this investigation, students will measure distance and time to calculate speed and acceleration.
By the end of this investigation, students should be able to:
- describe ways to measure the speed of an object
- use a formula to measure average speed
- estimate the speed of everyday motion
- calculate the speed of everyday motion
- distinguish between speed and acceleration
- describe acceleration.
Download the Word file (see link below).
Related investigation
Put your skills to use with the activity Measuring the acceleration of gravity (g).
