Calculating the speed of an object is necessary to prove theories or create benchmarks, such as when scientists measure horizontal speed during certain experiments or race car drivers determine the average speed during a race. Just about anyone can measure speed provided the formula is followed and the math is accurate. Having a calculator on hand will produce an accurate reading and keep the mathematical frustration down.
Instructions
Measuring Horizontal Speed
1. Throw or shoot an object to determine its horizontal speed. Rubber balls are used for experiments in classrooms. Professional laboratories often use guns.
2. Measure the height of the release point and the horizontal distance that the ball or object has traveled with the measuring tape. Take the measurement from the exiting point the object was released from to the point where the object stopped moving. For example, the measurement would start at the end of a rifle's barrel and end where the bullet hit the target. Mark down the results using paper and pencil.
3. Use the formula for finding horizontal speed, which is: Speed = d * SQRT(g / 2h), where d is the horizontal distance in feet or meters. H is the vertical distance in feet or meters. SQRT is the square root function, which can be found on the calculator. G is the gravity, which is 32 feet per second squared in the American system and 9.8 meters per second squared in metric.
4. Plug in the information recorded from the experiment into the formula. Use a calculator to determine the horizontal speed of the object. Mark down the final results on the paper. Double-check the answer by doing the calculations over a second time. Most errors come from the mathematical portion of the experiment.
Measuring Average Speed
5. Determine the distance and time traveled by the object in motion to find the average speed. For example, determine average speed with the figures for the distance a car has traveled and how long it took to get to that destination. Measure a vehicle's distance traveled by using the odometer. Measure shorter distances using a measuring tape. Write down the distance on the paper using a pencil.
6. Measure the amount of time it takes for the object to reach it's destination from the starting point using a stopwatch. For example, begin the time when the vehicle leaves the starting point and stop the time once the vehicle has arrived at the destination. Record the results on the paper with a pencil.
7. Use the formula for average speed, which is: Average Speed = Distance Traveled/Time of Travel. Plug the recorded measurements into this formula.
8. Calculate the measurements using the calculator. Record the results and double-check the mathematical calculations.
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