Name:
Date:
Period/Class:
Newton and Copernicus: Lesson #26
1c: Students know how to solve problems involving distance, time, and average speed.
1: How does Newton define speed?
2: Why would you need a reference point to calculate speed?
3: What two measurements have to be taken before you can solve for speed?
4: What is the mathematical method for finding speed? Use the formula in your answer
after you explain how to solve for speed.
5: Copernicus thinks that solving for speed is complicated. Is it a complicated formula, or
a fairly simple one?
A Newton and Copernicus Companion: Copyright August 2007, J.C. Olson.
Newton and Copernicus: Lesson #26
LESSON GUIDE:
Vocabulary: calculate, complicated, solve
Academic Vocabulary: speed, speed formula, measurements







A: Have students read the text silently and carefully observe the background of
the drawing to look for supporting information. (V)
B: Have students read through the questions and circle the number of each question
they feel they would be able to respond to.
Pair/Share.
C: Give each student about half a minute to explain to their partner what they think
is happening based on what they see and read. (A)
D: The pair discusses questions 1-5, then each student draws a box around the
number (or circled number) of each question they would be able to respond to.
E: Select sets of volunteers to act out the strip in front of the class.
F: Students individually write out their responses to questions 1-5.
Answers for 1-5
1: You would need to have a reference point to know when to start and to stop
timing. Without a reference point, there would be no place to measure from.
2: How fast an object is moving.
3: Time has to be measured with a timer or stopwatch, and distance has to be
measured with a measurement tool, (like a meter stick).
4: To find the speed, you divide the distance traveled by the time it takes took to
travel that distance. The formula for speed is, Speed = distance/time
5: Since there are only 3 variables it is a fairly simple formula. The most
complicated part (unless working with very large numbers) is the collecting of
accurate measurements of time and distance.
A Newton and Copernicus Companion: Copyright August 2007, J.C. Olson.