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Lesson 2 of 6 · Energy

Experiment30 XP Spark Lab

Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration

🧪Lab Brief #2

Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration.

🎯 Your mission

Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).

⚡ The twist

Energy never disappears — it just hides somewhere else.

🤯

Mind = Blown

⚡ Static electricity is the same physics as lightning, just smaller.

🔮

Make a hypothesis first

Before you start: which will move faster, and why?

What You'll Learn

Speed measures how fast an object moves (distance divided by time). Velocity includes both speed and direction. An object changing direction is accelerating even at constant speed.

Key Words

Tap a word to see its definition.

Materials Needed

  • rubber bands

Safety First

  • Have an adult check your set-up before you start, and tidy everything away afterwards.

Steps

Step 1Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2Do

Construct a catapult from popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Launch a marshmallow from different angles and measure the distance. Find the angle that gives the longest launch.

Step 3Observe

Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.

Step 4Record

Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is velocity?

🌍

Where you see this in real life

This is why airplanes can fly and why rockets reach space.

🏆

Stretch Challenge

Try this in real life this week.

This week, find one thing in your house that turns one kind of energy into another.

👨‍👩‍👧

For the dinner table

Show me something at home that uses this kind of energy.

🎯

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Ready?

Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration

Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).

Full screen — no distractions

🖨️

Checkout complete lesson on Energy for 8th Grade

Get the full Energy track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.

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Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration — Energy | 8th Grade Science | LittleActivity