Speed Trap Slides PHYSICAL SCIENCE
SPEED TRAP
Calculating Motion in the Real World
Distance Time Average Speed
Warm Up
5:00
What is the fastest you have ever traveled?
A commercial airplane?
A speeding car on the highway?
Racing down a steep hill on a bike?
Let's list our top speeds on the board!
Investigation
Embedded media
Watch until 3:00 and pay close attention to the formula!
Look For:
Average Speed
Distance vs. Displacement
The Speed Formula
Vocabulary
Scalar: Just a number.
Vector: Number + Direction.
The Gold Standard
S
=
d
t
Speed (m/s)
Distance (meters)
Time (seconds)
Write this in your science notebook NOW!
Hallway Speed Trap
Mission: Determine your velocity in the field.
25:00
1
Setup the Track
Measure exactly 10 meters in the hallway. Mark the Start and Finish with tape.
2
Run the Trials
One student "runs," one student times. Record the time for a walk, a fast walk, and a sprint.
3
Switch Roles
Everyone needs their own data. Be precise with the stopwatch!
Required Gear:
Measuring Tape
Stopwatch
Data Worksheet
Masking Tape
Exit Ticket
If you walked 20 meters in 10 seconds, what was your average speed?
Show Work
S = d / t
Final Answer
? m/s
Don't forget the units!
Speed Trap Worksheet Hallway Speed Trap
Field Data Report / Physical Science
Agent Name:
Date:
Mission Objective
Measure the time required to travel a fixed distance (10 meters) and calculate average speed using the formula: Speed = Distance ÷ Time.
Master Formula
s Speed
=
d
/
t Time
Distance (meters) / Time (seconds) = Speed (meters per second)
Data Collection (Distance = 10 Meters)
Movement Type Time (seconds) Work (d / t) Avg. Speed (m/s) Walking 10 / _____ = Fast Walking 10 / _____ = Sprinting 10 / _____ =
After-Action Report
1. Look at your data. How does increasing your effort (from walking to sprinting) affect the TIME it takes to cross the 10m finish line?
2. Based on your calculations, how does the TIME spent moving affect the final SPEED calculation? (If time decreases, what happens to speed?)
3. Prediction: If you were to run 20 meters at your "Sprinting" speed, about how long do you think it would take you? Show your reasoning.
Physical Science Unit: Motion & Force
Speed Trap Exit Ticket Speed Trap
Exit Ticket
Check your velocity before you go
Name:
Challenge: If you walked 20 meters in 10 seconds, what was your average speed?
Show Work (Formula: s = d / t)
Final Answer (include units!)
Property of Physics Lab
Speed Trap
Exit Ticket
Check your velocity before you go
Name:
Challenge: If you walked 20 meters in 10 seconds, what was your average speed?
Show Work (Formula: s = d / t)
Final Answer (include units!)
Property of Physics Lab
Radar Tech Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Radar Tech Guide
Lesson: Speed Trap | Grade 6 Physical Science
Duration: 50 Minutes
Standard: MS-PS2-2
Mission Equipment
Per Student Pair:
• 1 Stopwatch (Digital preferred)
• 1 Measuring Tape (Metric)
• Masking Tape (for markings)
• "Hallway Speed Trap" Worksheets
Teacher Setup:
• "Speed Trap Slides"
• "Velocity" Video (Up to 3:00)
• Pre-measured 10m track (optional)
• Calculator (optional for students)
Quick Goal
Students will define speed as distance over time and perform field calculations using metric units (m/s).
Define Speed
Calculate Average Speed
Differentiate Distance/Displacement
Pacing & Procedure
05 MIN
Ignition (Warm-up)
Show opening 1 min of video (fast cars). Ask: "What's the fastest you've ever traveled?" Record student answers on the board. Look for a variety (walking vs. airplane).
10 MIN
Surveillance (Video)
Watch video until 3:00. CRITICAL STOP: Pause at the average speed formula. Have students transcribe Speed = Distance / Time into notebooks.
25 MIN
Field Ops (Activity)
Move to the hallway. Pairs measure 10m. Students perform 3 trials each: Walk, Fast Walk, Sprint. Remind students that "Sprinting" in the hallway must be controlled for safety!
05 MIN
Debrief (Closure)
Return to class. Hand out exit tickets. Collect as they leave. Quick check: Did they include the "m/s" units?
Troubleshooting
Stopwatch Error: Students often forget to reset the watch. Designate a "Starter" and a "Timer".Unit Confusion: Make sure they are using METERS, not feet. Metric is standard for science.Crowd Control: Stagger pairs in the hallway so they aren't all "sprinting" in one cluster.
Answer Key
Exit Ticket Calculation:
d = 20m, t = 10s
20 / 10 = 2.0 m/s
Common Misconception:
Students might say "2 m/s North" but wait! If we don't have direction, it's just speed, not velocity. The video clarifies this after 3:18.
