Name __________________________
Lab Partners__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Date__________________________
Lab - Determining Personal Running Speeds
in Meters Per Second Using Kinematic Equations
(H.S.1.1.1, H.S.1.1.2, H.S.1.1.4, H.S.1.1.5, H.S.1.4.7, H.S.1.6.5)
Purpose: 1. To become familiar with speeds in common metric units of meters/second
2. To determine the validity of the basic kinematic motion equations used in class….
Vave = dtotal
t
and
d = (vo + vf) t
2
and
a = (vf - vo)
t
Testable Question: Will using motion equations give me a realistic human running speed?
(Are motion equations valid to use?)
Research: Fastest human running speed for my sex:
Who:__________________________________
Distance Run:________ Time:_________
Meters/Second Speed:______________ Miles/Hour Speed:_______________
Reference source for researched speed (including title, author, date, and page of publication or
source or complete URL):
_____________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: Having first determined what an extremely fast running speed is for a human by doing our research,
we would expect our own final running speeds to be slightly less because we’re not Olympic
runners yet. In this lab, we will be calculating our average and final speeds and accelerations for a
10 meter run using the kinematic motion equations learned in class and shown above
Hypothesis: If our own personal final running speed (vf) is close to or slightly less than those researched for the
fastest human runners, then the kinematic motion equations used can be deemed to be valid to use.
Procedure:
1. Carefully measure out a 10 meter distance on the track. Be sure to leave yourself enough room
afterward to slow down without colliding with other students or running out onto a grassy surface which
may be wet and slippery.
2. Using a stopwatch, have your lab partner time you starting from rest and accelerating to your
fastest speed over the 10 meters three times. Be sure not to slow down until after you have crossed the
10 meter line.
3. Record your times in the data table below.
4. Using your distance and time data, calculate your average and final speeds for each run, recording those
values on the data table below.
5. Using your calculated value for final velocity, calculate your acceleration for each trial.
6. Be sure to return your lab equipment to the place where you first obtained it.
7. Attach your “Fastest Speeds” research sheet to your lab.
Data: Distance run during each trial: 10 meters
Trial
Time for Run
(sec)
Average Velocity
(m / s)
Final Velocity
(m / s)
Acceleration
(m / s2)
Average
Sample calculations:
Quantity Calculated
Average velocity vave
Formula Used
Substitution
Answer with Units
Final velocity vf
Acceleration
Average velocity vave
To Miles/Hour
Final velocity vf
To Miles/Hour
Acceleration
To Miles/Hour
Conclusions: It is more important to write in complete thoughts than complete sentences!
1. What measurement mistakes (plural) might you have made in this lab?
2. What calculation mistakes (plural) might you have made in this lab?
3. What experimental setup mistakes (circumstances) might have made it difficult for you to run with your
fastest speed by the end of the 10 meters?
4. Why were you cautioned about not slowing down before the end of the 10 meters?
5. What was your final running speed in meters/second? ________ (don’t forget the UNITS!)
What was your final running speed in miles/hour? ________ (don’t forget the UNITS!)
Is this a reasonable speed for you? ______ Why do you or do you not consider it a reasonable speed for
you to run?
6. What is your answer to the Testable Question? ____________
7. What justification can you give for your answer to the testable question?
8. Why was it important to do the research you did for this lab?
9. Briefly describe a different way to see if motion equations really work.