PBL - Analyzing Motion

Day 1- In groups of 3-5, students will brainstorm on the difference between distance and displacement by drawing their route from house to school using scale, directions and landmarks. They will discuss other possible routes  that they can take in going to school (this will lead to differentiating distance and displacement). They have to discuss the possible means of transportation or actions that they can do to be in school on time (here the students will discuss qualitatively the differences in speeds of objects). On their way to school, they will predict the possible things that can speed up, slow down or change the direction of their motion (facilitating discussions on distance, time, and average speed).

Day 2- Analysis

Step 1 -  Video Making

Students  will make  a 5- min video showing motion of an object in constant velocity. Students may choose any object that meets the requirements of the prompt.

Step 2 -  Quantitative descriptions  and graphical representations. 

Students will use the attached google sheet to input values of distance traveled as a function of time. This data is plotted and average velocity is calculated.

Access the document using this link: Analysis of Distance vs Time

Students present their analysis to class through google slides, PowerPoint, or YouTube posts.