Zoom! Wile E. Coyote Experiments with Speed and Velocity
INTRODUCTION The Need for Speed Look at Wile E run If he moved a bit faster he could catch Road Runner Oh Road Runner changed direction That bird can turn on a dime Road Runner Speedius birdius Racing and chasing are all about speed and velocity Wile E needs speed to beat Road Runner in a race To follow Road Runner as he swerves Wile E needs to match Road Runner's velocity If Wile E knew more about speed and velocity he could catch his quick footed enemy
Coyote Hungrius carnivorid Let's watch Wile E go through his motions Maybe he'll learn a thing or two
Speed Does Not Equal Velocity Talk about running in circles Wile E is moving fast but he's not really going anywhere Speed and velocity are part of the study of motion Motion means a change in position All motion is relative to a fixed point Right now Wile E and Road Runner are moving very fast changing their positions very quickly They move along a fixed path past stationary signs
Some might say both of them have great speed and velocity People use the words speed and velocity as if they mean the same thing They are related but there is a difference between the two Speed is how fast something is going Velocity is speed plus a direction of motion motion the action or process of moving or changing position
