Motion and Forces

How can Newton's laws be used to predict the motion of most objects? How do the laws of conservation of energy and momentum help predict and describe the movement of objects?

5. Identifying Forces

Given seven drawings depicting motion, students will be able to correctly identify, describe, and indicate direction and relative magnitude of three to five forces in each. Relationship to big idea Everything physical ...

4. Types of Forces

Given a textbook passage on forces, students will be able to organize the passage's information into a graphic organizer and teach the information to other students. Relationship to big idea Everything physical ...

3. Friction Lab

Given lab equipment, students will be able to measure force required to pull baby shoes and identify factors that make pulling easier or harder. Relationship to big idea Everything physical in the ...

Forces and Motion Box Block Plan

Lesson 1: Introduction to forces
Students complete an anticipation guide, using prior knowledge to predict whether statements like “A rock thrown in space will keep going forever” are true or false.  

Lesson 2: Types of forces (informal)

Newtonian Vehicle

What understandings or goals would be assessed through this task?

•    Students will identify the forces acting on a self-propelled vehicle and explain how the motion of the vehicle demonstrates Newton’s laws.

Through what authentic performance task will students demonstrate understanding?

Task overview:

Forces and Motion - Assessment Ideas

Performance tasks Other-worldly sports – Students create a poster illustrating how their favorite sport might look on a planet of their choosing, explaining how differences in gravity and atmosphere could affect ...

Forces and Motion Box

Overview  Physical objects are part of an interactive system mediated by forces, which are governed by Newton’s laws.  This unit teaches students to recognize different types of forces, their effects on ...

Project - Earthquake Towers

Earthquake TowerIn this project, students construct drinking straw towers that must withstand the shaking of a shake table. One by one, 250 gram sandbags are loaded onto the towers. The ...