Module 4 Newton's Laws (15 Days)
Module Components
OverviewThis unit bundles student expectations that address the analysis of motion (kinematics) as it is described by Newton’s laws.
Prior to this unit, students have been introduced to motion in Grades 6–8, as well as during previous units in Physics. During this unit, Newton’s three laws of motion, the knowledge of forces, and the knowledge of the inertial properties of matter provide powerful tools that will be used by students for analysis. After this unit, students will further develop their understanding by exploring motion, forces, and energy as related to the topics of gravity, electromagnetic forces, and waves. STAAR Note: The concepts and skills explored in this unit will address standards associated with the STAAR Physics assessment Reporting Category 1: Force and Motion. |
Essential QuestionsWhat are the rules that govern how objects move?
What are forces? Can the motion of objects be predicted? |
Knowledge & SkillsThe student will be able to calculate THE EFFECT OF FORCES ON OBJECTS including, but not limited to:
Net force Net force = (mass)(acceleration) Fnet = ma Law of inertia The relationship between mass and inertia using Newton’s 1st law Relationship between force and acceleration Problems involving force, mass, and acceleration using Newton’s 2nd law Interpret real-life situation using Newton’s 3rd law. Nature of force pairs between objects Mass vs. weight Gravity Force of gravitational attraction between two objects = (universal gravitation constant) ((mass of 1st object)(mass of 2nd object) / (distance between centers of objects)2) Fg=G(m1m2/d2) Action-reaction pairs Electrostatic forces Friction forces Collisions The forces acting on an object on an inclined plane |
Key UnderstandingsStudents should understand why objects move and react to forces the way that they do.
Mass has two properties- gravitational and inertial. Weight is a gravity force. Inertia and forces determine acceleration. Acceleration and forces are vector quantities. Newton’s laws describe the effects of external forces on masses in inertial reference frames. Free-body diagrams are an essential step in the analysis of force-acceleration problems. |
MisconceptionsStudents may think objects with more mass “push” harder than objects with less mass.
Students may think a constant force must be applied to an object for it to remain in motion. Students may think that even without friction, objects in motion would still eventually stop moving. |
Key Vocabulary Newton’s laws of motion – three physical laws that describe the basics of classical mechanics
Force – a push or pull on an object Inertia – the resistance of an object to a change in motion Acceleration – change in speed or direction of the motion of an object Free body force diagram – a diagram of forces acting on an object |
Performance IndicatorsCreate a free-body force diagram of a 6 kg rock falling off of a 25 meter cliff, and calculate the forces affecting the rock.
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Summative AssessmentsThis module will have a performance indicator as well as the unit assessment and one exam.
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