This unit investigates the scientific descriptions of how things move. Specifically, investigations are made into predicting motion and understanding the patterns of motion.
"I Can" statements (learning goals) for the unit:
1) I can describe one-dimensional motion in terms of displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time.
a) I can define and contrast scalar and vector quantities.
i) Scalars (ex.)
(1) Position
(2) Distance
(3) Speed
ii) Vectors defined in terms of frame of reference and Cartesian coordinate system (ex.)
(1) Displacement
(2) Velocity
(3) Acceleration
iii) Contrast positive and negative vector quantities in terms of magnitude as well as direction in a universal coordinate system.
b) I can construct and interpret time graphs to describe one-dimensional motion.
i) Position-time graphs
(1) Identify that slope is equivalent to velocity.
(a) Contrast methods of how to calculate:
(i) Average velocity – slope between two distinct positions
(ii) Instantaneous velocity - slope of tangent line at a point equals
ii) Velocity-time graphs
(1) Identify that slope is equivalent to acceleration.
(2) Identify that area under curve is equivalent to displacement
iii) Acceleration-time graphs
(1) Identify that area under curve is equivalent to velocity
iv) Given one type of time graph, create another time graph having a different y-axis.
c) I can calculate average velocity given the change in the position and time.
d) I can use and manipulate kinematics equations for motion with constant acceleration to calculate:
i) Displacement, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, time
(1) Horizontal
(2) Vertical
(a) Recognize that freefall acceleration due to gravity on Earth equals -9.8m/s2 regardless of direction or velocity of object.
(b) Velocity at the top of flight path = 0 m/s