Measuring acceleration practical (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)
I can explain how to measure acceleration accurately.
Measuring acceleration practical (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)
I can explain how to measure acceleration accurately.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A dynamics trolley has a steady acceleration down a steep ramp.
- Acceleration = change of velocity / time and change in velocity = final velocity - initial velocity
- Light gates can improve accuracy of measurement of instantaneous velocity and reduces random errors.
- Using video recording will allow for accurate measurement of small time intervals.
Keywords
Acceleration - The acceleration of an object is the change in velocity per second.
Velocity - The velocity of an object is the change in displacement per second.
Dynamics trolley - A dynamics trolley is a wheeled object used in experiments. It moves very smoothly over flat surfaces.
Common misconception
Pupils often think that final velocity is proportional to acceleration and do not take into account the time over which an object is accelerating.
Compare how many times greater the calculated accelerations of two sets of readings are compared to how many times greater the final velocities are.
To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Measuring acceleration practical (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Measuring acceleration practical (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Measuring and calculating motion unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
velocity -
the speed of an object in a particular direction
rate -
the amount of change every second
acceleration -
the rate of change of velocity
deceleration -
the decrease in velocity every second
$$v – u$$ -
the symbols used to represent change in velocity
velocity -
a vector measured in m/s
distance -
a scalar measured in m
acceleration -
a vector measured in m/s$$^2$$
speed -
a scalar measured in m/s
displacement -
a vector measured in m