Students gather data on miniature cars and use this data to calculate speed and acceleration.
In this activity students will conduct an investigation on speed and velocity by designing a roller coaster model.
This pathway provides resources for understanding motion in one dimension. The fundamentals of vector and scalars are covered, and the key concepts of position, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration are explained. The pathway concludes with a series of questions to test understanding of the topic.
Students explore methods employing simple machines likely used in ancient pyramid building, as well as common modern-day material transportation. They learn about the wheel and axle as a means to transport materials from rock quarry to construction site. They also learn about different types and uses of a lever for purposes of transport. In an open-ended design activity, students choose from everyday materials to engineer a small-scale cart and lever system to convey pyramid-building materials.
A narrated presentation which illustrates how momentum is affected by mass and velocity. [3:16]
Rate
Type of Unit: Concept
Prior Knowledge
Students should be able to:
Solve problems involving all four operations with rational numbers.
Understand quantity as a number used with a unit of measurement.
Solve problems involving quantities such as distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, and with the units of measurement for these quantities.
Understand that a ratio is a comparison of two quantities.
Write ratios for problem situations.
Make and interpret tables, graphs, and diagrams.
Write and solve equations to represent problem situations.
Lesson Flow
In this unit, students will explore the concept of rate in a variety of contexts: beats per minute, unit prices, fuel efficiency of a car, population density, speed, and conversion factors. Students will write and refine their own definition for rate and then use it to recognize rates in different situations. Students will learn that every rate is paired with an inverse rate that is a measure of the same relationship. Students will figure out the logic of how units are used with rates. Then students will represent quantitative relationships involving rates, using tables, graphs, double number lines, and formulas, and they will see how to create one such representation when given another.
In this lesson, students watch a video of a runner and express his speed as a rate in meters per second. Students then use the rate to determine how long it takes the runner to go any distance.Key ConceptsSpeed is a rate that is expressed as distance traveled per unit of time. Miles per hour, laps per minute, and meters per second are all examples of units for speed. The measures of speed, distance, and time are all related. The relationship can be expressed in three ways: d = rt, r = dt, t = dr.Goals and Learning ObjectivesExplore speed as a rate that measures the relationship between two aspects of a situation: distance and time.In comparing distance, speed, and time, understand how to use any two of these measures to find the third measure.
The mathematics associated with the motion of satellites is described. Equations (for period, velocity, acceleration and force) are stated, symbols described, and sample problems solved. Includes five practice problems with solutions and answers. Excellent graphics.
This activity investigates the importance of accurate measurement in competitive sport, looking at examples from athletics and swimming. It is aimed at secondary maths students (grades 8, 9, and 10).
Students will create go-carts and calculate the speed, then change a variable and record the differences in speed.
Detailed video tutorial lesson covers motion, speed, velocity, average speed, and acceleration. [38:08]
Examine how fuel use affects the mass of different planes during flight. This lesson teaches students how to determine the per person fuel cost of a transatlantic flight for seven airplanes, and display the results on a bar graph. Three student handouts are available in PDFs for printing.
A very good introduction to the world of waves. Waves and wavelike motion, what is a wave, and categories of waves are the topics examined in this site. Many links to other wave sites.
A video explaining the formula to calculate average velocity if the acceleration is constant, and initial velocity and time period is known. The theory behind the equation is discussed as well as an example given. [14:09]
Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.
This PBS series takes a hard look at teenage drug use. Content includes a focus on how and why teens use drugs, the long-term health effects of drug use, and more.
See how forces affect various items that are pushed or pulled.
Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration in the "Arena of Pain." Use the green arrow to move the ball. Add more walls to the arena to make the game more difficult. Try to make a goal as fast as you can.
Explore forces and motion as you push household objects up and down a ramp. Lower and raise the ramp to see how the angle of inclination affects the parallel forces.