Forces and Speed in a Skating Race

Use the velocity sheet to teach the formula and the rules for combining velocities. Follow it with the skating sheet to link net force to speed.

Name the forces on a speed skater, then calculate and graph speed over five 100 m race segments. The directions on the page read: Read the text. Then write the name of each force arrow A to D. Use each word in the word bank once. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 7th grade forces and motion, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

Divide displacement by time and give the direction. A displacement of 200 m east in 40 s gives 5 m/s east.

Divide distance by time. The skating race sheet has students do this for each 100 m segment and round to the nearest 0.1 m/s.

The ice pushes the skater forward with a push-off force, while air drag and friction resist the motion. When the push is greater than the resisting forces, the skater speeds up.