Motion and Speed
Everything around us is moving! Cars drive down streets, birds fly through the sky, and even you move when you walk to school. Let's explore what motion and speed are all about!
What is Motion?
Motion is When Something Changes Position!
When an object moves from one place to another, we say it is in motion. If something stays in the same spot, it is at rest (not moving).
📍 Key Vocabulary
Motion - A change in an object's position compared to where it started.
🛋️ At Rest vs. In Motion
Look around your room. Which things are moving and which are staying still?
What is Speed?
Speed Tells Us How Fast Something Moves!
Speed is how quickly an object changes its position. Some things move fast and some things move slow.
⚡ Fast vs. Slow
Objects can move at different speeds. Let's compare!
Slow
Fast
Faster
Very Fast
Speed Simulator - Watch Different Speeds!
Click a speed button, then click "Go!" to see how fast the car moves.
Distance and Time
Speed = Distance divided by Time
To find speed, we look at how much distance (how far) something travels in a certain amount of time (how long).
Understanding the Speed Formula
📏 Distance
Distance - How far an object travels. We measure it in feet, meters, miles, or kilometers.
⏰ Time
Time - How long it takes for something to happen. We measure it in seconds, minutes, or hours.
Walking
Biking
Car on Highway
Fast Train
Race Time! Which One is Fastest?
Click "Start Race" to see who wins! Watch how speed affects who finishes first.
Changing Direction
Motion Can Change Direction!
Objects don't always move in a straight line. They can turn, zigzag, curve, or go in circles. When direction changes, the motion changes too!
🧭 Directions of Motion
Direction Controller - Move the Ball!
Use the arrow buttons to move the ball around. Watch how it changes direction!
Predicting Motion
We Can Guess Where Things Will Go!
By watching how something moves, we can predict (make a good guess about) where it will go next. Scientists use this to understand how the world works!
🔮 Making Predictions
To predict motion, think about:
- Direction - Which way is it going?
- Speed - How fast is it moving?
- Forces - Is anything pushing or pulling it?
Prediction Challenge!
Read each situation and predict what will happen!
Practice Problems
Test your knowledge about motion and speed!
Question 1
What do we call it when an object changes its position?
Question 2
Which animal is typically the SLOWEST?
Question 3
To find speed, what do you divide distance by?
Question 4
A car travels 60 miles in 1 hour. What is its speed?
Question 5
When a ball bounces off a wall, what changes?
Check Your Understanding
If a bicycle and a car both start at the same place and travel for 1 hour, which will go farther?
A toy car is sitting on a table. Is it in motion or at rest?
You throw a ball straight up. What happens to its direction?
What We Learned
Motion
When an object changes its position from one place to another.
Speed
How fast something moves - distance divided by time.
Distance & Time
We measure how far (distance) and how long (time) to find speed.
Direction
Objects can change which way they're moving - up, down, left, right!
Prediction
We can guess where things will go by watching their motion.
Next Steps
- Observe moving objects around you - are they fast or slow?
- Try timing how long it takes to walk across your classroom
- Watch a ball roll and predict where it will stop
- Think about how forces (pushes and pulls) affect motion