Inquiry into Velocity
Name: __________________________
After completing this lab you should be able to say
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I can design and conduct an experiment to determine the velocity of my object in uniform motion
I can accurately measure the speed of my chosen toy.
I can race my toy through an obstacle course
I can determine the average speed/velocity.
I can describe the elements of a valid experiment
I can communicate results
Materials:
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Wind-up Toy, Meter stick, stopwatch, chalk, chalkbrush
Procedures:
1. Discuss with your group how to most accurately measure the speed of your toy.
List your procedures here
2. Create a data table here and record your results.
3. Create a properly labeled graph here:
4. Add a line of best fit and calculate the slope of the line. Show your calculation here. Include units.
Part 2) Racing
a) Draw the following racecourse accurately on the table/floor using chalk. 0.50 m East, 0.25 m South, 0.25
m West, 0.25 m South, 1.0 m East.
b) Race your toy through the course; you can gently turn the toy when needed to keep it on track. You may
pitstop (re-wind) whenever needed. Record total time.__________________
c) Calculate the following. Show work.
a. Distance
b. Displacement (hint: this is the shortest line from start to finish)
c. Average speed
d. Average velocity
Discussion: Please put away materials and clean up your station thoroughly so there is no trace of chalk left.
1) What was the speed of your toy in part 1? ______________. Compare this to the average speed during the
race. Why is it same/different?
2) Look at the data only of another group.
a. Do you think your toy faster or slower than theirs? _________________
b. Prove it. Plot the other group’s data on your own graph using a different color. Create a legend, add
a line of best fit for their data too. Calculate the slope of their data. Show your calculation here.
c. What is the speed of their car? _____________
d. Now that you have both sets of data on the same graph, fill in the blanks of the following statement:
i. The faster the object, the ____________ the slope of the line.
3) In part 2, the distance and displacement don’t have the same magnitude. Your friend missed the lesson
explaining the difference and asks you to explain: Do your best to explain the difference between distance
and displacement.
4) Your friend is also having trouble understanding the difference between speed and velocity. Since you are
such a good friend, you can explain the difference between speed and velocity as follows: