Starter Activity- GPS -Radio waves -Distance Time

Stater Activity- Video - Worksheet and Ans Key
Make your students curious about the science behind the blue dot on their phone with this engaging GPS starter worksheet.

This worksheet is designed to accompany the “How Does GPS Know Where You Are?” science documentary/video and helps students connect an everyday technology with key physics concepts including electromagnetic waves, radio waves, satellites, speed of light, atomic clocks, trilateration and Einstein’s theory of relativity.

What’s Included Video link + WS with
7 multiple-choice questions
4 short-answer questions
Complete answer key
Questions based directly on the concepts presented in the GPS video
Suitable for classroom starters, homework, revision or post-video assessment

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:
Identify radio waves as the electromagnetic waves used by GPS.
Explain how GPS uses signal travel time to calculate distance.
Understand the role of GPS satellites and atomic clocks.
Explain the basic principle of trilateration.
Describe the urban canyon effect and its impact on GPS accuracy.
Explain why Einstein’s theory of relativity is important to GPS.
Apply the relationship between speed, distance and time to GPS technology.

Curriculum Links

Cambridge Lower Secondary Science

IGCSE Physics
Relevant topics include:
Electromagnetic spectrum
Radio waves
Communication
Satellites
Speed of electromagnetic waves
Applications of physics
Space physics
Ideal For

Lesson starters
Video-based learning
Exit/pre-assessment
Homework
Science revision
Cambridge Lower Secondary Science
IGCSE Physics
STEM lessons

Keywords: GPS worksheet, GPS physics, how GPS works worksheet, satellites worksheet, electromagnetic waves worksheet, radio waves worksheet, trilateration, GPS activity, space physics, communication waves, IGCSE Physics worksheet, Cambridge Lower Sec