Measuring the Speed of a Mealworm

A mealworm is the larval form of the darkling beetle, scientifically known as Tenebrio molitor. It is a common insect species found in various parts of the world, often considered a pest in agricultural settings due to its ability to infest stored grains and other food products. Mealworms are also commercially raised and sold as pet food for reptiles, birds, and fish, as well as for human consumption in some cultures. They are rich in protein and nutrients, making them a popular choice for animal feed and as a sustainable food source for humans.

Speed is calculated by measuring a distance traveled and then dividing it by the time it takes to travel that distance:

You can measure the speed of many things with this equation, such as cars traveling past a point on a road, or a person walking from one end of the hall to another. You can even measure small things that move across your desk, like a mealworm.

For this activity, you will attempt to discover the speed of a single mealworm by using a ruler, pencil and a stopwatch. Mealworms are larval forms of beetles that are easy to handle.

Instructions

Set up a sheet of white paper on your desk, you will need this paper to mark the starting and ending point of your mealworm. Set a stopwatch to measure 20 seconds, and mark where your mealworm starts. Let the mealworm crawl for the twenty seconds and make a mark at the point where the worm is when the 20 seconds in. You will take ten similar measurements and average the data.

Data

Analysis

Use the speed equation above to calculate the mealworm's (average) speed in cm/s, centimeters per second. Show your work.