YEAR 10 PHYSICS

Your Name Partner Date

100M OLYMPIC SPRINTER

Theory
100m sprinters are the fastest human beings on the planet, they are able to exert huge amounts of
force to propel themselves down the straight and cover the 100 metres in and under 10 seconds
consistently. These super athletes achieve such feats by the way they accelerate and are able to
maintain top speed.
In this practical you will be analysing Usain Bolt and his world record sprint. Using the results you
will generate a distance-time and velocity-time graph and evaluate the usefulness of these.

Methodology
Materials
 Student laptop

Method
1. The following link includes the race, but also with data showing the motion of Usain Bolt
throughout the race. Use this data to complete your table in the results section below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGJWBtb-tcs
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Results
TIME DISTANCE VELOCITY
(seconds)

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.5

9.58
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Interpretation of Results
1. Plot the graphs of distance/dispacement versus time and a velocity versus time (v-t) graph
for the information collected above. Complete these on the grids below. Do each graph on
separate pages

DISTANCE/DISPLACEMENT-TIME GRAPH
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VELOCITY-TIME GRAPH

Discussion
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Answer the following questions, making reference to your results table and graphs. You will be
required to complete research to answer some questions. Insert your answers directly under each
question.
1. Reaction times are critical. Research:
○ What is reaction time?
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○ What is the average reaction time of a human in seconds?

○ What was Bolt’s reaction time?

2. What is the shape of the distance time-graph? What does the gradient tell us?
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3. What is the shape of the velocity-time graph? What does the gradient tell us?
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4. Over what time period does the greatest acceleration for Bolt occur? What was his
acceleration during this time period? How and where is this shown on the graph? Ensure
that you include your working out.
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5. How long is he able to maintain top speed? How and where is this shown on the graphs?
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Conclusion
Answer your aim
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How critical are reaction times to Olympic sprinter?
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From your results which of the two graphs is more useful for coaches and athletes? Discuss how
this relates to reaction time, acceleration, top-speed and speed endurance and how can it help
athletes to improve their performance?
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