Motion Commotion
Students explore Newton's laws of motionCopyright OLGA LEDNICHENKO https://www.flickr.com/photos/olga-lednichenko-photos-albums-images/6417813593
Students learn why and how motion occurs and what governs changes in motion, as described by Newton's three laws of motion. They gain hands-on experience with the concepts of forces, changes in motion, and action and reaction. In an associated literacy activity, students design a behavioral survey and learn basic protocol for primary research, survey design and report writing.
Whether they design moving objects (scooters, boats, compact disk players, blenders) or stationary objects (dams, bridges, stoves, sunglasses, picture hangers), understanding Newton's laws of motion helps engineers of all disciplines quantify the "invisible" forces acting on the objects.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify Newton's three laws and explain what each law physically describes with respect to motion.
- Predict results from the various motions presented in the activities and be able to explain why these motions occurred.
- Give examples of why Newton's laws are important to engineering.
- Relate the variables in the F = ma equation