Reading and Interpreting Graphs Lab

In this lab you will calculate the average speed of an object in motion. The
measurement of average speed is a measurement of the relationship between
time and distance. An important method of determining this relationship is to
make use of a graph and the data that it describes.

Predict

Suppose you release a pull-back car and it travels in a straight line on a flat
surface for 100 CM. What will the distance/time line graph look like? Sketch your
prediction on the graph below.
100
90
80
70
Distance(cm)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Time (s)

Observe
Materials

1. Pull-back car
2. Meter stick (100 cm)
3. Stop watch
4. Tape (optional)

Pull the pull-back car a short distance and line up the front wheels with a starting point (0 cm).
Release the car and let it travel 100 cm. Record the time it takes for the car to travel the
distance. Graph your data on the following grid. Be sure to label your graph.

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100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Explain
Do your results resemble your prediction?

Explain what your data shows in regards to distance traveled, time, and average speed.

From this we can use the formula Distance = Rate X Time. To solve for Rate (average speed) we use the following.

Distance/Time = Rate (average speed)

How would your graph look on a return trip from finish to start?

Next: With your group create a poster that represents the provided scenario.

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www.cpalms.org