SUBJECT: PHYSICS YEAR LEVEL: FOURTH YEAR

PSSLC COMPETENCY: Define acceleration conceptually and operationally

Specific Learning Objectives
1. Define acceleration conceptually and operationally
Knowledge
2. Derive the formulas of acceleration from definition

1. Solve word problems on acceleration

Skills
Attitude

ASSESSMENT
1. What is the acceleration of a car that travels in a straight-line path at a constant speed of 100
km/h?
2. What is the acceleration of a car moving along a straight-line path that increases its speed from 0
to 100 km/h in 10 s?
3. What is the velocity of an object that has an acceleration of 10 m/s2 after 5 second of moving from
rest?
STRATEGIES SUPPORT INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS
Routine Activities
Pre-Activity
Review: Velocity (Definition and Formula)

Motivation:
Ask the students to relate their experiences on riding vehicles.

Ask them of their observation about the speed of the vehicle from the
moment that they got up on it until while they reach their point of
destination. (They should notice that the vehicle at times speeds up and
at some times slows down)

Tell them that this change in the vehicle’s velocity (speed and/or
direction) at a given period of time is called acceleration.
Activity
1. Group the students into manageable group size. Activity Sheet
2. Distribute the Activity Sheets on Acceleration and materials.
3. Give the preliminary instructions before allowing students to work. Data Table on Manila
4. After the time allotment, tell the students to post their results. Paper
5. Ask a representative from one group to report the group’s results.
6. Summarize the outputs of all the groups. Ball, Meter Stick, Wooden
Ramp (about 2m long),
Some materials may be assigned to the students prior to the actual Stop Watch, Masking
conduct of the activity. Tape, Marker

Analysis
1. How can the average velocity be calculated? Blackboard and Chalk for
2. What can you say about the average velocities? publishing student
3. What is the initial velocity of the ball in the experiment? Why? responses
4. How can the final velocity be determined?
5. Express the definition of acceleration in a mathematical equation.
6. What have you observed about the acceleration of the ball in the
different distance intervals?
Abstraction
1. What is acceleration? Blackboard and Chalk for
2. What are the formulas that can be used in calculating the publishing student
acceleration of an object? responses
Application
1. Give a problem set for the students to apply the different formulas in Problem Set
determining acceleration
Answers to the Assessment

1. 0. Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity per unit time, thus, an object traveling with
CONSTANT (not changing) velocity has no acceleration.

2. Given: Vi = 0 Vf = 100 km/h t = 10s Covert: 100 km/h = m/s

(
100 km 1 h
h 3600 s )( 1000
1 km )
m

Required: a Vf = 27.78 m/s

m
v f −v 27.78 −0
Working Equation: a= i
s a = 2.78 m/s2
t a=
10 s

3. Given: Vi = 0 a = 10 m/s2 t = 5s
Working Equation: v f =at+t Vf = (10 m/s2)(5s) + 0 Vf = 50 m/s

Activity Sheet

Determining the Acceleration of an Object

(Ball on an Inclined Plane)

1. Prepare the set-up shown below:

2. Place a book at one end of the ramp to incline it to about 50 relative to the flat surface. Put another
book at the other end to block the ball from rolling off the ramp.

3. Measure from the top about 20 cm and draw a zero line. Place tape marks at 10 cm, 40 cm, 90 cm,
and 160 cm measured down from the zero line.

4. Before allowing the ball to roll covering each distance interval, place a book on each “finish” line to
prevent the ball from rolling off the ramp as well as to aid you in knowing when to click the stopwatch.

5. Practice releasing the ball so that a smooth start can be carried out. Also practice using the stopwatch
so that it can be reliably started at the beginning and finish of each trip.

6. Release from the zero line to 10 cm while taking the time it takes to cover the distance. Do this three
times. Then do the same for 40 cm, 90 cm, and 160 cm.

7. Record the time per trial in the data table:

Distance Time (s)
(cm) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
10
40
90
160
8. Compute the average velocity using the data gathered:
Distance (cm) Average Time (s) Average Speed (cm/s)
10
40
90
160

9. Compute the final velocity using the data gathered:

Distance (cm) Average Time (s) Final Velocity (cm/s)
2d
t
10
40
90
160

10. Compute the acceleration using the data gathered:

Initial Velocity Final Velocity Average Time (s) Acceleration (m/s2)
(cm/s) (cm/s) V f −V i
t
0
0
0
0

Analysis of the Activity

Question Discussion Formula
How can the average velocity The average velocity can be d
be calculated? v ave =
calculated in two ways: t
(1) by the distance travelled over a
period of time; and

(2) by the average (mean) of the v i+ v f

What can you say about the
average velocities?
What is the initial velocity of
the ball in the experiment?
Why?
How can the final velocity be
determined?
two velocities, initial and final. v ave =
2
If the data were carefully
gathered, the average velocities
will be observed to INCREASE for
each distance interval
The initial velocity of the ball in all
the situations involved in the
experiment is zero because the
ball was held at rest and then
released.
The final velocity can be v ave =v ave
determined by equating the two
d v i+ v f
equations for average velocity =
t 2

2d
Since vi = 0 and solving for vf the vf =
equation becomes: t
Express the definition of Acceleration is the change in Δv
acceleration in a mathematical a=
velocity at a given period of time. Δt
equation. Change means the difference
between the initial and final
Or
velocities and how fast this change
occurs is given by the time interval
in which the initial velocity reaches v f −vi
a=
the final velocity Δt
 What have you observed about
the acceleration of the ball in
the different distance
intervals?
If the data were gathered
carefully, it can be observed that
the acceleration is constant for all
the distance intervals

Derivation of Other Acceleration Formulas (Objects Starting from Rest)

Starting Equations: Starting Equations:
d vf vf d vf vf
= ∧a= = ∧a=
t 2 t t 2 t
2d Multiplying the Starting Equations:
vf = (1)
t
2
ad v f
=
v f =at (2) t 2t
Cancelling out t:
Equating (1) and (2):
2
vf
2d a=
=at 2d
t

2d
a= 2
t

Problem Set
The answers are given for the following problems, provide the solutions.

1. A body with an initial velocity of 8 m/s moves with a constant acceleration and travels 640 m in 40
seconds. Find its acceleration. (a = 0.4 m/s2)

2. A box slides down an inclined plane with a uniform acceleration and attains a velocity of 27 m/s in 3
seconds from rest. Find the final velocity and distance moved in 6 seconds (initially at rest).
(Vf = 54 m/s, d = 162 m)

3. A car has a uniformly accelerated motion of 5 m/s2. Find the speed acquired and distance traveled in
4 seconds from rest. (Vf = 20 m/s, d = 40m)

4. Before leaving the ground an airplane traveling with constant acceleration makes a run on the
runway of 1800 m in 12 seconds. Find a) acceleration b) speed at which it leaves the ground c) distance
traveled during the first and twelfth seconds. (a) 25 m/s2 b) 300 m/s c) 12.5 m, 288 m)

5. A marble is dropped from a bridge and strikes the water in 5 seconds. Calculate the speed with which
it strikes and the height of the bridge. (Vf = 49 m/s, d = 122 m)

6. A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly to a velocity of 80 ft/s after traveling 250 ft. Find its
acceleration. (a=12.8ft/s2)

7. What velocity is attained by an object which is accelerated at 0.30 m/s2 for a distance of 50. m with a
starting velocity of 0.0 m/s? (Vf = 6 m/s)