Kinematics, Impulse, and Human Running

Lesson Summary

This lesson explores how kinematics and impulse can be used to analyze human running performance. Students will explore how scientists determined the physical factors that allow elite runners to travel at speeds far beyond the average jogger. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

• describe the relationship between impulse and momentum; and
• apply impulse-momentum theorem to explain the relationship between the force a runner applies to the ground, the time a runner is in contact with the ground, and a runner’s change in momentum.

Standards

Science and Engineering Practices:

MA Science and Technology/Engineering (2016):

NGSS (2013):

Common Core Math/Language Arts Standards:

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Educator SoundBites

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