Describing Motion Lesson: Moving Objects

Describing Motion Lesson: Moving Objects

Standard:

S8P3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about cause and effect relationships between force, mass, and the motion of objects.

a. Analyze and interpret data to identify patterns in the relationships between speed and distance, and velocity and acceleration. 

Learning Targets

• I can analyze and interpret data to identify patterns in the relationship between speed and distance.

• I can construct arguments supported by evidence related to the patterns in the relationship between speed and distance.

Open Ended

All matter in the universe is constantly in motion.

Take a moment to think about the above statement and describe an example of something in motion. Then, describe something that is in motion that we cannot see in motion. Respond with your thoughts.

Motion

• Motion is change in an object's location over time.

• Motion can look different to different people. A car may appear to be moving by quickly to a person standing still. Meanwhile, someone inside the car may barely notice the motion.

• If motion can look different to different people, how can you describe it?

• A reference point is a stationary object, such as a tree, street sign, or a line on a road.

• Once you have a reference point, motion can be defined in terms of position, direction, and speed. 

• Position refers to an object's location relative to a reference point.

• Direction is the line or path along which an object moves.

Moving Objects

Usually, we describe the motion of an object based on how fast an object is moving. What term would you use to describe how fast an ob object is moving?

Speed

• Speed is the distance traveled by an object divided by the time taken to travel that distance. Speed is measured in meters per second m/s.

• Speed is a unit rate that describes how fast something is moving.

Calculating Speed

• To calculate an object's speed, you must know the total distance traveled and the time it took the object to travel that distance.

• You can can calculate an object's speed using the formula to the right.

• You may also see the formula written as s = d/t; where s = speed, d= distance, and t= time.

Average Speed

• Most objects do not move at a constant, unchanging speed.

• When using the formula to calculate speed, you are calculating the average speed of an object.

• In the example to the right, the car's average speed was 50 kilometers per hour. Sometimes, the car was moving slower, and at other times it was moving faster.

Open Ended

Practice Problem #1: Consider the following situation: A red car and a blue car both traveled 300 kilometers between Bakersville and Smithtown. The red car completed the trip in 4 hours. The blue car completed the trip in 3 hours. Calculate the speed of each car. Which car traveled faster? (Your answer should include the speed of each car and which car traveled fastest.)

Open Ended

Consider the following situation: A red car and a blue car both traveled 300 kilometers between Bakersville and Smithtown. The red car completed the trip in 4 hours. The blue car completed the trip in 3 hours.

Could you have known which car traveled faster without performing a calculation? Explain your response.

Open Ended

Practice Problem #2: Consider the following situation: Student A and Student B both walked for 15 minutes. Student A walked 1 kilometer. Student B walked 2 kilometers. Calculate each person's speed. Which person walked faster? (You answer should include both person's speed and which person walked faster).

Open Ended

Consider the following situation: Student A and Student B both walked for 15 minutes. Student A walked 1 kilometer. Student B walked 2 kilometers.

Could you have known which person walked faster without performing a calculation? Explain your response.