A ramp with a slope to counteract the effect of friction.

The final velocity of an object is the velocity it finishes with after a phase of motion.

A light gate can be used to measure velocity. It uses an infrared beam to turn a timer on and off as an object passes through.

Measurements are repeatable if they are very similar when the same procedure is carried out by the same person or team.

When the acceleration is constant, it is described as uniform acceleration.

Measuring acceleration analysis (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)

Combined science

In the Energy of moving objects unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how to calculate the amount of energy of objects have because they are moving, stretched or in a gravitational field; and to calculate energy transfers using knowledge of energy conservation and dissipation.

In the Moving by force unit, pupils learnt how to calculate speed and describe motion using distance-time graphs, apply Newton’s First Law of motion and calculate the amount of energy needed to move an object to a new position.

Measuring and calculating motion

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

A {{}} is an instrument that uses an infrared beam to turn a timer on and off as an object passes through. 

A trolley takes 3.50 s to travel along a ramp. Its starting velocity is 0 and its final velocity is 0.42 m/s. 
The acceleration of the trolley is {{}} m/s$$^2$$.

by moving masses from the trolley to the hanger

by moving masses from the hanger to the trolley

A student wants to find the relationship between force and acceleration of a trolley. They will use masses on a hanger to pull the trolley. 
To make the test fair, how should they increase the force?

The picture shows a trolley with three 100 g masses resting on it, and two 100 g masses attached to the trolley by a string. 
If friction can be ignored, what is the accelerating force on the trolley?

the accelerating force is caused only by the hanging masses.

friction and drag make the trolley accelerate.

gravitational force makes the trolley move down the track.

the trolley moves down the track even when no masses are attached to it.

A student wants to find the relationship between force and acceleration of a trolley on a track. Before taking measurements, they tilt the track at an angle. 
This is to make sure that ...

If $$x$$ increases by 2, $$y$$ increases by 2.

A graph of $$y$$ against $$x$$ is a straight line.

A graph of $$y$$ against $$x$$ passes through the origin.

If two variables, $$x$$ and $$y$$, are directly proportional, which of the following statements are correct?

A student measures the time taken for a toy parachute to fall from a particular height. She repeats the measurement and gets these results: 1.60 s, 1.53 s, 1.52 s. 
The mean time taken is {{}} s.

A toy car travels at a constant velocity along a straight track. It travels 90 cm in 20 s. 
The velocity of the toy car is {{}} m/s along the track. 

A car accelerates steadily from rest to 20 m/s in a time 8.0 s. 
The acceleration of the car is {{}} m/s$$^2$$. 

A student measures the acceleration of a trolley along a slope for different values of the force pulling the trolley. 
Which of the following is the independent variable in this experiment?

A trolley travels down a slope. It is stationary at the start and gets faster as it moves. A student takes measurements and calculates (distance travelled) ÷ (time taken). 
What has the student found?

(average speed between A and D) ÷ (time from A to C)

(average speed between A and D) ÷ (time from A to D)

(average speed between B and D) ÷ (time from A to C)

(average speed between B and D) ÷ (time from A to D)

A trolley is stationary at A then accelerates along the track. A student wants to measure the trolley’s average acceleration between A and C. 
Which of the following calculations should be used?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Measuring acceleration analysis (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.