algebra help

Speed of Light Unit 3: Introduction to Functions

I Can... ● Identify linear functions using graphs and tables. ● Graph linear functions using data. ● Solve real-life problems using linear functions. ● Use slopes to solve real-life problems.

Mathematically proficient students map relationships between quantities using graphs and analyze those relationships to mathematically draw conclusions.

Your Task

Have you ever wondered about the speed of light? What happens when you turn on a light? Does it accelerate like a person riding a bike or traveling in a car? When can motion be described by a linear function and how can you graph that motion?

How will you be graded?

Your grading rubric is here.

K&T: 30 points

Written Communication: 10 points

Agency: 10 points

Collaboration: 20 points

The table shows the speed s in feet per second of a bicyclist t seconds after the beginning of a race

Using this website, plot the ordered pairs. Then, take a snipping of your graph and paste it in the red box to the right.

Use this video to help you.

Paste your graph here.

Using the information from the graph on slide 6, answer the questions below.

Is the data linear?

What is the slope?

What does the shape of the graph tell you about the acceleration of the bicyclist?

Explain.

Unlike a moving bicycle, light photons travel at a constant speed. The speed of light is about 299,792,458 meters per second. Use the speed of light to complete the table. Round your answers to the nearest kilometer.

Time, t (in seconds) Distance, d (km)

1

2

3

4

5

Plot the points from the previous slide using the same website as before. Then, answer the questions.

Paste your graph here. Is the data linear?

How does the graph show the constant speed? (look at the slope)

What does the graph representing speed in terms of time look like? Explain.

Write a function that represents the distance d (in kilometers) light travels after t seconds.

Given that the average distance from Earth to the sun is about 150 million kilometers, how long would it take a photon of light to travel from the sun to Earth? Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a minute.