Working with Measurements

LESSON

5.3 ESTIMATES
Time Frame: 30 min

Time Allotted: 1 min Actual Time: __________

At the end of this module, you should be able to report measurement on distance,
displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Activity 1
Time Allotted: 5 min Actual Time: __________

The quantities commonly used to describe an object’s motion are distance, velocity, and
acceleration. List the properties of these four (4) quantities in the table below.

Quantity Scalar or Definition Unit of

Vector Measurement

Distance

Displacement

Speed

Velocity

Time Allotted: 10 min Actual Time: _________

So far, you have learned several important quantities that can be used to accurately
describe the motion of an object. Understanding measurement related to distance,
displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration can help you find patterns and
relationships in nature.

Learning Guide 5.3 page 1 of 6

Pulling It Together
Distance and Displacement

We have discussed distance and speed in the previous lessons. They are both scalar quantities,
which mean that they do not include reference to the direction of the motion. Distance (𝑑)can be
measured using a ruler, a meter stick, or a tape measure. It takes all paths taken by an object as it
goes from one point to another.

Displacement (∆𝑥), on the other hand, is a vector quantity. It is used to describe the overall
change in position of an object. It is the most direct path from the initial position to the final
position. The sign attached to the value for displacement denotes the direction of the final
position with respect to the initial position. By convention, upward and rightward directions are
denoted as positive, while downward and leftward directions are denoted as negative.

To illustrate the difference further, examine the example below:

Sample Problem 1.
An athlete runs 4 kilometers northwards (+) and runs back 6
kilometers southwards (-).

a. What is the distance (𝑑) covered by the athlete?

b. What is his displacement (∆𝑥)?

SOLUTION
➲ Since distance is the measurement of how far the athlete travelled:
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑑 = 4 𝑘𝑚 + 6 𝑘𝑚
𝑑 = 10 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
The total distance travelled by the athlete is 10 kilometers.

➲ For the athlete’s displacement,

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝛥𝑥 = (4 𝑘𝑚) + (−6 𝑘𝑚)
𝛥𝑥 = −2 𝑘𝑚 or 2 km, south of its initial position

The total displacement is – 2 km. The +/- sign of the displacement indicates the
direction and not the magnitude. Therefore, the displacement is 2 kilometers,
southwards.

Pulling It Together
Speed and Velocity

Speed is a scalar quantity. It describes the rate of change in the position of an object and is
completely described just by just indicating the magnitude. Average speed is distance
traveled by an object between a time interval:
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

Learning Guide 5.3 page 2 of 6

Velocity also describes the rate of change in position. However, it requires not only the
magnitude but the direction of motion as well since it is a vector quantity. Average velocity
can be computed using this equation:
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 − 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑

Pulling It Together
Speed and Velocity

If you are a car enthusiast, you might have heard of the accelerator pedal. Its purpose is to
control the speed of the car. If you step on the pedal, the car will travel faster and faster until
you release it. The car is said to be accelerating. Acceleration occurs if any or all of the
following occur:
a. change in speed (speed up or slow down)
b. change in direction
c. change in speed and direction.

Acceleration is a vector quantity that describes the rate at which velocity is changing. The
formula for average acceleration is given by,

∆𝑣 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 − 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝒂 = =
∆𝑡 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑

Average acceleration is the change in velocity of an object over a time interval. Note that
objects that slow down or speed up both experience acceleration. And that negative acceleration
does not always mean slowing down. It could also mean acceleration in the negative direction.

Did you know? The acceleration due to Earth’s gravity is 9.8 meters per second per second or
9.8 m/s2. This means that if you drop an object at a certain elevation, its speed increases by 9.8
meters per second every 1 second during its fall.

Activity 2 (20 points) Time Allotted: 12 min Actual Time: __________

1
GRADED ACTIVITY

INSTRUCTION: Follow your teacher’s instructions in performing this activity and

submission of outputs.

Did you notice that it is easier to go down several flights of stairs than climbing up? It is
because Earth’s gravity is helping you go down the stairs. You also might have noticed when
you try to ride a bike, you go faster on your ride downhill. And the longer you travel downhill,
the longer you will feel gravity’s pull on you so the faster your speed will be.

Learning Guide 5.3 page 3 of 6

In this activity, we will observe how gravity can affect the distance that will be covered by falling
objects.

Materials:
● Long cardboard (empty roll of paper towels) or paper tube with length of at least 75
centimeters
● A book or block to raise one end of your makeshift ramp, with thickness of 2.5
centimeters
● Scissors
● Marker or pen
● Marble or any small round object that can roll
● Stopwatch (you can use your phone’s stopwatch)
● Ruler

Preparation:
1.Cut the cardboard tube in half, lengthwise. You should have two long pieces of cardboard
which you will be using as a ramp for the marble.
2.Place one side of the cut semicircle cardboard tube on the book or block. This will be your
ramp.
3.Use your marker or pen to mark your starting point at the raised end of the cardboard
ramp, about 2.5 centimeters from the end. Refer to the figure below for the setup.

Procedure:
1.Set your stopwatch to 2 seconds and place your marble at your designated starting point.
2.At the exact same time you start your timer, release the marble. Take note of the location
of the marble after 2 seconds and mark it on the ramp using your marker or pen.
3.Repeat the process at least five (more times) and mark the marble’s location after 2 seconds
for every trial.
4.Repeat Steps 1 – 3, but this time set your timer to 3 seconds. Do this for at least six (times)
and mark the marble’s location after 3 seconds for every trial.

Learning Guide 5.3 page 4 of 6

After conducting the experiment, answer the following questions: Follow your teacher’s
instructions regarding submission.
1. Did the marble travel similar distances for each trial?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Compare the distances travelled by the marble after 2 seconds and after 3 seconds. How
does the distance between the starting line of the ramp and the marble’s position after 2
seconds compare to the distance between the marble’s position after 2 seconds and after
3 seconds?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. How did the distance travelled by the marble change as it rolled down the ramp longer?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Explain the possible effect of gravity on speed and distance travelled by objects moving
downhill?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
1Adapted from Science Buddies. (2014, November 6). Speedy Science: How Does Acceleration Affect Distance.
Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/speedy-science-how-does acceleration-affect-
distance/)

Time Allotted: 2 min Actual Time: __________

In Summary
● Distance and speed are both scalar quantities. Displacement and velocity are vector
quantities.
● Speed can be calculated using the formula,
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

● Acceleration is the rate of change of an object’s velocity due to change in speed

and/or direction of motion. It is a vector quantity.
● Acceleration can be calculated using the formula,

∆𝑣 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 − 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝒂 = =
∆𝑡 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑

Learning Guide 5.3 page 5 of 6

 This is OPTIONAL.

PhET Interactive Simulations. This online interactive simulation can help students
visualize the different quantities used in measuring objects in motion. Access via:
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/moving-man/latest/moving-
man.html?simulation=moving-man

Adams, W., Perkins, K., Wieman, C. (2013, June 27). The Moving Man. PhET
Interactive Simulations. https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/moving-
man/latest/moving- man.html?simulation=moving-man

Newton, R. (2016, July 26). Acceleration Lesson for Kids: Definition, Formula &
Examples. Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/acceleration-lesson-
for-kids-definition- formula-examples.html

Science Buddies. (2014, November 6). Speedy Science: How Does Acceleration Affect
Distance. Scientific American.https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/speedy-
science-how-does- acceleration-affect-distance/.

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

Myre Adrienne Jade F. Gesulga Rex S. Forteza Alice C. Manuel

Special Science Teacher I Special Science Teacher IV Special Science Teacher IV
SOCCSKSARGEN Region Central Luzon Campus Cagayan Valley Campus

Learning Guide 5.3 page 6 of 6

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