Lesson 4.

2 Kinematics
Concepts
1. When working with bodies in motion, engineers must be able to differentiate and
calculate distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.
2. When air resistance is not taken into account, released objects will experience
acceleration due to gravity, also known as freefall.
3. Projectile motion can be predicted and controlled using kinematics equations.
4. When a projectile is launched, velocity in the x direction remains constant;
whereas, with time, the velocity in the Y direction in magnitude and direction
changes due to gravity.

Performance Objectives
It is expected that students will:
 Calculate distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration from
data.
 Design, build, and test a vehicle that stores and releases potential energy
for propulsion.
 Calculate acceleration due to gravity given data from a free fall device.
 Calculate the X and Y components of a projectile motion.
 Determine the needed angle to launch a projectile a specific range given
the projectile’s initial velocity.

Essential Questions
1. What are the relationships between distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and
acceleration?
2. Why is it important to understand and be able to control the motion of a
projectile?

Key Terms
Free Fall The condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field.
Distance The total length of path over which the particle travels.
Displacement A vector quantity giving the straight-line distance and
direction from an initial position to a final position.
Velocity A vector quantity that includes the speed and direction of an
object.
Speed The magnitude of the total distance traveled divided by the
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POE – Lesson 4.2 Kinematics – Page 1
 time elapsed.
Acceleration The rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

Instructional Resources
Presentations
Projectile Motion
Word Documents
Project 4.2.1 Self-Propelled Vehicle Design
Activity 4.2.2 Acceleration Due to Gravity
Activity 4.2.3 Projectile Motion
Lesson 4.2 Key Terms Crossword

Firing Range
Mountain Pass
Obstacle Course
Parachute Drop
Activity 4.2.2b Acceleration.xls
Acceleration.rpp

Reference Sources
Hibbeler, R.C. (2007). Engineering mechanics: Statics and dynamics. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
International Technology Education Association. (2000). Standards for
technological literacy. Reston, VA: ITEA.
Kirkpatrick, L.D. (2007). Physics: A world view. United States: Thomson
Brooks / Cole.
Merriam-Webster. (2007). Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved December 15,
2007, from http://www.webster.com
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip art. Retrieved January 10, 2008, from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and International Reading
Association (IRA) (1996). Standards for the English language arts.
Newark, DE: IRA; Urbana, IL: NCTE.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). (2000). Principles and
standards for school mathematics. Reston, VA: Author.
National Research Council (NRC). (1996). National science education
standards. Washington, D. C.: National Academy Press.

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POE – Lesson 4.2 Kinematics – Page 2
Serway, R.A., Vuille, C, Faughn, J.S. (2009). College physics (8th ed.).
United States: Thomson Brooks / Cole.
Soutas-Little, R.W., Inman, D.J., & Balint, D.S. (2008). Engineering
mechanics: Dynamics. United States: Thomson Learning.

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POE – Lesson 4.2 Kinematics – Page 3