Use single time interval measurements to find the average speed of several
moving objects
A Running Person
Two measurements are needed, the distance travelled and the time required.
You can choose a distance (independent variable) and measure the time (dependent
variable), or choose a time (independent variable)and measure a distance(dependent
variable).
A Falling Object
Drop something. Because speed gets large quickly, you may need to drop from
a height to get a longer time. You can probably see that the speed is changing
here. From your determination of average speed can you estimate the speed
just before hitting the ground?
A Thrown Object.
Here you must let both distance and time vary freely and measure the outcome.
Can you determine how high the object is thrown? This complicated two-dimensional
motion is sometimes analyzed by considering the horizontal motion and the
vertical motion separately. The horizontal speed is rather easy; the speed
vertical is more difficult. What can you determine?
