Mastery Programme

G09 Advanced Physics

Term 1
Key Concept 2: Speed
Learning Outcomes
Key Concept 1: Speed

• Define speed as distance travelled per unit time; recall and use the equation: v = s/t
• Recall and use the equation: average speed = total distance travelled/ total time taken
• Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time graphs
• Determine, qualitatively, from given data or the shape of a distance–time graph when an
object is:
(a) at rest
(b) moving with constant speed
• Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight line section of a distance–time graph
Warming up

How can we
Measuring Time
Calculate how long it took the runner to complete the lap. Give
Stop-clocks and stopwatches can be used to measure time your answer in seconds.
intervals.
Step 1: Identify the start time for the lap
An important factor when measuring time intervals is human
reaction time. This can have a significant impact upon The stopwatch was already at [Link] when the runner started
measurements when the measurements involved are very short the lap
(less than a second). Start time = 55.10 seconds (s)

Example: Step 2: Identify the finish time for the lap

A stopwatch is used to measure the time taken for a runner to The stopwatch reads [Link] at the end of the lap
complete a lap of a 400 m track. The images below give the Finish time = 1 minute and 45.10 s
readings on the stopwatch at the start and the end of the lap.
Step 3: Convert the finish time into seconds

1 minute = 60 seconds
Finish time = 60 s + 45.10 s
Finish time = 105.10 s

Step 4: Calculate the time taken to complete the lap

The time taken to complete the lap = finish time − start time
Time taken to complete lap = 105.10 s − 55.10 s
Time taken to complete lap = 50 s
 Non-Uniform Motion
Speed ➢ The speed of an object is rarely constant
• Hikers change their pace continuously as they walk
The speed of an object is the distance it travels every second.
• Bumblebees buzz around in all directions with varying
The simplest way to measure the speed of an object, is to
speed
time how long it takes to travel a known distance and use the
• Cars are constantly speeding up and slowing down
equation
throughout a journey
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = ➢ Non-uniform motion refers to motion that is changing
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
➢ Changing motion can mean the object is changing
its speed, direction or both.
Calculating Average Speed

• The speed of an object is the distance it travels every Velocity

second
• The equation for calculating the average speed of a ➢ The velocity of a moving object is similar to its speed, except it
moving object is: also describes the object’s direction
• The speed of an object only contains a magnitude - it’s
a scalar quantity
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 • The velocity of an object contains both magnitude and
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 direction, e.g. ‘15 m/s south’ or ‘250 mph on a bearing of
030°’
➢ Velocity is therefore a vector quantity because it describes both
• Distance is measured in meters, m magnitude and direction
• Time is measured in seconds, s
• Speed is therefore measured in meters per second, m/s 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
 Measuring Speed
To compare the average falling speed of a tennis ball to a plastic
Method 1:
cone, for example:
• A meter rule could be used to measure the distance they
To ensure a result for speed is as accurate as possible,
fall from
choose the appropriate equipment to measure the distance
• A timer could be used to measure how long they take to
and time.
reach the ground

It would not be practical to use a meter rule to measure the length of an

athletics track though. In this instance, a more appropriate piece of
equipment would be a (long!) tape measure, or even better, a trundle
wheel
 Measuring Speed
➢ A light gate can be used to start a timer when an object
Method 2: Using Lights Gates to Measure Time
passes through it.
Light gates are pieces of digital equipment that
➢ A flag on top of the moving object blocks a beam of light
allow times to be measured more accurately. The light gate
as it passes through the light gate, triggering the timer to
has a beam of infrared radiation.
start.
The light gates are connected to an electronic timer.
➢ A second light gate (at some fixed distance away) can be
used to stop the timer as the object passes through it.

➢ The distance (s) travelled by the object is measured as

the distance between the two light gates.

➢ The timer shows the time (t) taken by the object to travel
the distance between the two light gates.

➢ The speed is calculated as:

𝑠
𝑣=
𝑡
 Measuring Speed
Method 3: Using a Single Light Gate ➢ A piece of card, called the interrupter card, is mounted on
the trolley (object).
A single light gate can also be used to measure the speed of
an object as it passes through. ➢ As the trolley passes through the light gate, the timer
measures how long the light gate is blocked for.

➢ The faster the trolley is moving, the shorter the time for
which the beam is broken.

➢ The distance travelled is given by the length of the

card passing through the light gate.

➢ The two measurements for distance travelled and time

taken can then be used in the equation for speed.

➢ The speed is calculated as:

𝑠
𝑣=
𝑡
Distance-time Graph Constant Speed on a Distance-Time Graph

A distance-time graph shows how the distance of an object ➢ A straight line represents constant speed
moving in a straight line (from a starting position) varies over
time. ➢ The slope of the straight line represents the magnitude of the
speed:
Distance-time graphs also show the following information: - A very steep slope means the object is moving at
a large speed
- If the object is moving at a constant speed - A shallow slope means the object is moving at
- How large or small the speed is a small speed
- A flat, horizontal line means the object is stationary

Object in Rest on a Distance-Time Graph

➢ A straight horizontal line, parallel to the time-axis

represents an object at rest (not moving or stationary)
Distance-time Graph (cont’d) Gradient of a Distance-Time Graph

The speed of a moving object can be calculated from the gradient

Changing Speed on a Distance-Time Graph
of the line on a distance-time graph:
➢ Objects might be moving at a changing speed
- This is represented by a curve

➢ In this case, the slope of the line will be changing

- If the slope is increasing, the speed is increasing
(accelerating)
- If the slope is decreasing, the speed is decreasing
(decelerating)
- The image below shows two different objects moving
with changing speeds

➢ The rise is the change in y (distance) values

➢ The run is the change in x (time) values