Module 4 Describing Motion
| Site: | MoodleHUB.ca 🍁 |
| Course: | Science 20 RVS |
| Book: | Module 4 Describing Motion |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Monday, 3 November 2025, 1:30 PM |
Description
Explore the chapters to learn the unit 1 content.
Unit 2 - Changes in Motion
Unit Introduction
Our world is filled with moving objects that interact with their environment and each other. Understanding the rules that govern the movement of objects is very important for the use of mechanical systems. In this unit we will investigate the basic laws of motion that were first introduced by Sir Isaac Newton. We will look at both a mathematical and graphical analysis of uniform and non- uniform motion and make connections to real life situations. We will also look at colliding objects and investigate the principle of the conservation of momentum.
Module 4 - Describing Motion
In This Module
You will complete the following lessons in this module.
Lesson 1__ Average Speed
Lesson 2__ Solving Problems with New Technologies
Lesson 3__Average Velocity
Lesson 4__Graphical Description of Uniform Motion
Lesson 5__Graphical Description of Accelerated Motion
Lesson 6__Calculating Displacement During Accelerated Motion
Lesson 7__Determing Stopping Distance
Lesson 8__A Closer Look at Braking
Lesson 9__Newton's First Law of Motion
Big Picture
There is a difference between seeing motion and understanding it. Everyday we see objects moving at various velocities, accelerating, stopping and changing direction without really understanding the basic nature of motion. In order to more accurately describe motion we use mathematics and graphing techniques to represent motion in a tangible way. Our understanding of motion and the forces involved with motion, enable us to construct useful mechanical systems which make our life easier.
Module 4 Inquiry
- What is the difference between a vector and scalar quantity ?
- What is the difference between uniform and non-uniform motion ?
- How can we use mathematics to predict motion ?
- How can we use graphing techniques to describe motion ?
Lesson 2.4.1
Lesson 1—Average Speed
Get Focused
In this lesson we will investigate the concepts of vector, scalar, and average speed.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 1:
- What is the difference between a vector and scalar quantity ?
- What formula is used to calculate average speed ?
- What is the difference between distance and displacement
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 168 - 173 in the Science 30 textbook. There is a text link below.
Self Check
Try the knowledge questions on page 173 of the textbook to check your understanding.
Reflect and Connect
Post to the discussion forum, your description of the difference between distance and displacement.
Module 4: Lesson 1 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned the difference between scalar and vector quantities and learned how to calculate average speed.
Lesson 2 will look at solving problems with new technologies.
Lesson 2.4.2
Lesson 2—Solving Problems with New Technology
Get Focused
In this lesson we will investigate how new technology can be used to identify and solve problems involving objects in motion and mechanical systems.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 2:
- How can technology identify new problems ?
- How can technology be used to solve problems
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 174 - 177 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Watch and Listen
Video or multimedia content
Self Check
Try the questions on page 177 - 178 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
Describe one everyday problem that technology provides and answer for. Post your answer to the discussion forum.
Module 4: Lesson 2 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned about how technology can be used to solve problems.
Lesson 3 will look at average velocity.
Lesson 2.4.3
Lesson 3 — Average Velocity
Get Focused
Average velocity requires a consideration of the direction of motion. As the calculation of velocity requires the use of displacement the direction of travel, relative to a specific reference point is needed. In this lesson we will investigate the calculation of velocity with reference to direction.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 3:
- Why is displacement important for the calculation of velocity ?
- How is velocity different from speed ?
- How does direction factor into the calculation of velocity
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Watch and Listen
Read
Read pages 179 - 185 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Self Check
Try the questions on page 185 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
Explain the difference between average velocity and average speed. Post your answer to the discussion forum.
Module 4: Lesson 3 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned the difference between speed and velocity and how to calculate average velocity.
Lesson 4 will look at the graphical description of uniform motion.
Lesson 2.4.4
Lesson 4 — Graphical Description of Uniform Motion
Get Focused
Displacement time graphs and velocity time graphs can provide us with a lot of information about moving objects. In this we will learn what information we can find from the graphs of objects demonstrating uniform motion.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 4:
- What is uniform motion ?
- What does the slope of a displacement time graph tell us ?
- What does the slope of a velocity time graph tell us ?
- What does the area underneath a velocity time graph tell us ?
Module 4 : Lesson 4 Assignment
There is also a link at the bottom of the page for the assignment for this lesson
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 186 - 192 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Explore
Click on the links below to explore the lesson content
Self Check
Try the questions on page 192 - 193 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
Post the answers to the get focused questions (at the top of the page) and post your answers to the discussion blog.
Module 4 : Lesson 4 Assignment.
Remember to submit your properly labelled assignment to the appropriate dropbox as part of your Module 4 assessment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned what information can be obtained from displacement time and velocity time graphs.
Lesson 5 will look at the graphical description of accelerated motion.
Lesson 2.4.5
Lesson 5 — Graphical Description of Accelerated Motion
Get Focused
Accelerted motion can be uniform or non-uniform. In this lesson we will examine how to determine the acceleration characteristics from displacement time graphs and velocity time graphs.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 1:
- What quantity does the slope of a velocity time graph represent ?
- What would a constant velocity on a velocity time graph look like ?
- What would uniform acceleration on a velocity time graph look like
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 194 - 204 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Video or multimedia content
Self Check
Try the questions on page 204 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
What is the difference between uniform and non-uniform acceleration ? Post your answer to the discussion forum.
Module 4: Lesson 5 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned that accelerated motion demonstrates a change in velocity over time and that the slope of a velocity time graph gives you the acceleration of the object.
The next module will look at calculating displacement during accelerated motion.
Lesson 2.4.6
Lesson 6 — Calculating Displacement During Accelerated Motion
Get Focused
There are both mathematic and graphical means of calculating the displacement of an object when it is accelerating. In this lesson you will investigate both.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 6 :
- What does the area under a velocity time graph represent ?
- What is meant by the term instantaneous velocity ?
- What are the mathematical equations used for accelerated motion
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 205 - 212 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Self Check
Try the questions on page 212 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
Consider the following statement. The units of a velocity time graph are not important when calculating displacement using a velocity time graph. Is this statement true or false ? Explain your answer and post it to the discussion forum.
Module 4: Lesson 6 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned how to calculate the displacement of an accelerating vehicle using a velocity time graph.
The next lesson will deal with calculating the stopping distance of a decelerating vehicle.
Lesson 2.4.7
Lesson 7 — Determining Stopping Distance
Get Focused
In this lesson we will investigate the different factors that influence stopping distance and learn how to calculate the stopping distance of a decelerating vehicle.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 7 :
- What factors influence reaction time ?
- What factors influence stopping distance ?
- Why is it important to know stopping distances
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 214 - 220 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Self Check
Try the questions on page 220 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
Calculate the stopping distance of a vehicle travelling at an initial velocity of 110 km/h, with an average reaction time and a braking deceleration of 3.0 m/s2
Module 4 : Lesson 7 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned how to calculate the stopping distance of a braking vehicle.
In the next lesson you will learn more about the braking process.
Lesson 2.4.8
Lesson 8 — A Closer Look at Breaking
Get Focused
When an object accelerates and imbalance of force exists. In this lesson we will look at the causes of acceleration and learn how to calculate the acceleration of an object based on the net force and mass of the object.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 8 :
- What is meant by the term "net force" ?
- How does the mass of an object affect it's acceleration ?
- What is the difference between an net force and an applied force
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 221 - 227 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Viddo or multimedia content
Sci20 tut#2.4.8 Tutorial video
Self Check
Try the questions on page 227 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
State in your own words Newton's second law and explain the expression F=ma. Post your answer to the discussion forum.
Module 4 : Lesson 8 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned about the concepts of net force and acceleration as it applies to the braking of a vehicle.
The next lesson will look at Newton's first Law.
Lesson 2.4.9
Lesson 9 — Newton's First Law of Motion
Get Focused
Newton's first law of motion is foundational to understanding the motion of objects. In this lesson we will investigate Newton's first law and apply it to some real life situations.
Consider the following essential questions as you complete Lesson 9 :
- What is inertia ?
- What is the difference between mass and weight ?
- Does a stationary object have a constant velocity
Vocabulary
Below is a link to the Science 20 Glossary. Make sure you can identify and define the terms within the glossary that correspond with this lesson.
Read
Read pages 228 - 234 in the Science 20 Textbook. There is a text link below
Video or multimedia content
Self Check
Try the questions on page 234 to check your knowledge.
Reflect and Connect
Newton's first law states an object at motion or at rest tends to stay in motion or at rest unless acted upon by an external net force. Are there explanations of why this is true ? Research this question and post your results to the discussion forum.
Module 4 : Lesson 9 Assignment.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities for this lesson, you can complete the online assignment.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you learned about Newton's first law of motion and made connection to real life situations.
The next module will look at collisions.
Module Summary
Module Summary and Assessment
By being able to describe motion mathematically and graphically, a more precise understanding of motion can be demonstrated and communicated. Using Newton's laws and the formula's we can anticipate motion and construct technology that can perform specific predictable functions.
Module Assessment
In this module you should have completed :