I can distinguish scalar and vector motion quantities and calculate average speed and velocity.
POE Unit 4 • Lesson 4.8
Distance, Displacement, Speed, and Velocity
Focus question: How do path length and direction change the way engineers describe motion?
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
A focused sequence that advances the mission-performance investigation.
Opening promptConcept modelGuided practiceInteractive applicationEvidence checkExit ticket
Lesson Targets
What You Will Be Able to Do
Motion quantities practice set
Distance uses the full path, displacement includes direction, and each average rate uses the correct numerator.
Activity Flow
How the Lesson Moves
Each step builds the data, motion, or testing reasoning required for today’s deliverable.
1. Sketch the path
Mark the start, turns, and final position.
2. Calculate path and net change
Separate total distance from displacement.
3. Calculate rates
Use elapsed time to find average speed and average velocity.
Lesson Interactive
Analyze the Rover Path
Apply the lesson concept to a mission-performance scenario. Use the feedback to correct your reasoning before completing the main deliverable.
Rover Path
A rover travels 6 m east, then 2 m west, in a total time of 4 s.
Use the full path for distance and the net change in position for displacement.
Today’s Work
Main Deliverable
Motion quantities practice set
Create one focused engineering artifact that demonstrates today’s learning.
- Calculate distance, displacement, average speed, and average velocity with units.
- Use a diagram or sign convention to communicate direction.
Exit Ticket
Mission Debrief
State the most important data-analysis or motion concept from today in your own words.
Name the measurement, calculation, graph feature, or test decision that supports your conclusion.
Identify one uncertainty, limitation, or next test that would strengthen the evidence.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 4.8 PowerPoint
Use the presentation to review the lesson concepts, examples, and activity directions.
Principles of Engineering
Return to the POE course hub for units, resources, certifications, and course information.
Mission Data Investigation
Use the integrated investigation context when connecting trial design, statistics, kinematics, graphs, and recommendations.