Velocity and Acceleration

The Velocity and Acceleration Video Tutorial reviews the concepts of speed, velocity, and acceleration and discusses their application to the understanding of objects moving in circles or along curved paths. The vector nature of velocity and acceleration are discussed. The means of calculating these quantities is detailed. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

What is the direction of the velocity and acceleration vectors for objects moving along circular paths?
How do you calculate the velocity (or speed) and acceleration of an object moving in circles?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Minds On Physics: Mission CG1
Minds On Physics is like good medicine. It may not taste good going down but once its effect kicks in you feel better. Take a dose of MOPs with this mission on the topic of speed and velocity. You'll feel better for doing so.

Concept Builder: Circular Logic
This Concept Builder gets you thinking quantitatively about the topic of velocity, acceleration and force for objecs moving in circles.

Calculator Pad - Circular Motion Problem Set: Problems #1 - #5
The Calculator Pad is the go-to place for anything pertaining to problem-solving. You'll find problems, answers, and audio-guided solutions. Try these five problems to improve your skill with calculating speed and acceleration values.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter, Speed and Velocity
A portion of this video tutorial pertains to the concepts of speed and velocity. This written tutorial page provides a great reference for freshening up on the topic.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter, Acceleration
A portion of this video tutorial pertains to the concept of acceleration. Get the skinny quickly with this written Tutorial page.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner, Circular Motion and Gravitation
Get students active and thinking with our free Think Sheets from the Curriclum Corner section of our website. Here's a couple to get you started ...
Speed and Velocity
Acceleration and Circular Motion

Teacher Toolkits, Circular Motion
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. Give this one on circular motion a try.

Physics Interactives: Uniform Circular Motion
There's nothing like fun on the playground. And here at our Physics Interactives section, students can alter a variable and observe the effect. Rich visual displays enhance the experience. Grab our free activity sheet and plan a lesson around this simulation on uniform circular motion.

Minds On Physics: Mission CG1
Minds On Physics is like good medicine. It may not taste good going down but once its effect kick in you feel better. Give your students a dose of MOPs with this mission on the topic of speed and velocity.

Concept Builder: Circular Logic
This Concept Builder gets students thinking quantitatively about the topic of velocity, acceleration and force for objects moving in circles. And with a Task Tracker account, you can assign this as out-of-class work and check students' progress results.

Calculator Pad - Circular Motion Problem Set: Problems #1 - #5
The Calculator Pad is the go-to place for anything pertaining to problem-solving. You'll find problems, answers, and audio-guided solutions. Point your students to these five problems to improve your skill their calculating speed and acceleration values.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter, Acceleration
A portion of this video tutorial pertains to the concept of acceleration. Students can get the skinny quickly with this written Tutorial page. Include a link on your course management page.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.