Falling Speeds: Measure Average Speed

Turn distance and elapsed time into an average, with units.

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Average speed is total distance divided by elapsed time. Use matching units and say which interval was measured. An average over a fall is not necessarily the final speed.

Worked example

Invented data: a paper object travels 0.60 m in 0.40 s. Average speed = 0.60 / 0.40 = 1.5 m/s. Another object taking 0.60 s over the same distance averages 1 m/s.

A fictional paper object travels 0.60 meters downward in 0.40 seconds. Distance divided by elapsed time gives average speed 1.5 meters per second, not the final speed.

Would you believe it?

A timer showing extra decimal places does not guarantee an accurate result. Starting late or using the wrong distance scale can affect every repeated measurement.

NIST: measurement uncertainty

Question 1 What is the first average speed? 1.5 m/s 0.24 m/s 0.67 m/s

Question 2 For 0.60 m in 0.60 s, what is the average? 0.36 m/s 2 m/s 1 m/s

Question 3 At the same distance, a longer time means what? No possible comparison A smaller average speed A larger average speed

Question 4 Which unit describes speed? Meters per second Seconds only Meters squared

Question 5 Does average speed tell the exact final speed? Always Only when written as a decimal Not without more information

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