Measuring speed accurately
I can clearly describe how to measure speed and explain how I can do this accurately.
Measuring speed accurately
I can clearly describe how to measure speed and explain how I can do this accurately.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The instantaneous speed of an object is the speed at a particular moment in time.
- For an accurate measurement a person needs to be in line with the observation.
- Manual timing can lead to a range of timing errors.
- Repeat readings can reduce the effect of random errors.
- Some readings are anomalous and these should not be used in caluations of averages.
Common misconception
Students commonly confuse instantaneous and average speeds.
Be very careful when using the word speed, always use 'average' or 'instantaneous' explicitly, linking average speed to a time period.
Keywords
Average speed - The average speed of an object is the distance travelled divided by the time taken.
Instantaneous speed - The instantaneous speed of an object is its speed at a particular moment.
Timing error - Manual timings include some timing errors. These can be due to reaction times or observing from incorrect positions.
Random error - Random errors are errors that vary from test to test in an uncontrolled way.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
distance
time
speed
Exit quiz
6 Questions
unpredictable difference between measurement and true value
a difference in a measurement of time and the true time
the speed at a particular moment
overall distance travelled divided by overall time taken