Year 8 - Science
Calculating speed
Moving by force
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores speed, forces, and motion, including effects on objects. It covers deriving equations, calculations, and distance-time graphs. Learn to use force arrows, identify balanced and unbalanced forces, and understand their impact on movement.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to calculate speed.
Key Notes
- The greater the speed of an object, the shorter the time it takes to cover a certain distance.
- The greater the speed of an object, the more distance it travels in a certain time.
- Speed = distance ÷ time.
- Speed is measured in m/s or km/h or miles/h.
- m/s is the number of metres travelled each second.
Vocabulary To Learn
- distance: a length between two points, usually measured in metres (m)
- time: a duration, usually measured in seconds (s)
- speed: the distance it travels each second
- metres per second (m/s): the standard unit used to measure speed
- miles per hour (mph): the unit often used to measure vehicles' speeds
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- "Constant speed" can be interpreted as "moving all the time", and "steady speed" as "not too fast".
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
The greater the speed of an object, the shorter the time it takes to cover a certain distance. The greater the speed of an object, the more distance it travels in a certain time.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'distance'
a length between two points, usually measured in metres (m). Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: "Constant speed" can be interpreted as "moving all the time", and "steady speed" as "not too fast". Correction: Use the terms with care, qualifying them with examples when they are used, e.g. "a constant speed of 4 m/s" or "a steady speed of 100 m/s".
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing speed Study Guide
- Changing the speed of a parachute Study Guide
- Comparing the speeds of different parachutes Study Guide
- Interpreting distance-time graphs Study Guide
- Measuring speed accurately Study Guide
- Measuring speed: practical Study Guide
- Newton's First Law Study Guide
- Reading distance-time graphs Study Guide
- Streamlining Study Guide
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