Themes: Change and Systems
Overview: In this unit, students investigate causes of change in the position and velocity of objects and systems in a study of dynamics and gravitation. The concept of fields is introduced in the explanation of gravitational effects.
Focusing Questions: How does the understanding of forces help humans improve or change their environment? How do the principles of dynamics influence the development of new mechanical technologies? What role do gravitational effects play in the universe?
General Outcomes: Students will:
1. explain the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on velocity
2. explain that gravitational effects extend throughout the universe.
Key Concepts: The following concepts are developed in this unit and may also be addressed in other units or in other courses. The intended level and scope of treatment is defined by the outcomes.
• Newton’s laws of motion
• inertia
• vector addition
• static and kinetic friction
• gravitational force
• Newton’s law of universal gravitation
• gravitational field
Link to NOTES from www.studyphysics.ca