Newton's Laws

In 1697, Sir Isaac Newton published his three laws of motion.  Watch the 3 minute Bicycle Movie.

Part 1: Newton's First Law (inertia: objects resist a change in their motion)

Watch the Sledding inertia video. What does this have to do with inertia? Discuss with groups and 2 groups share out.

a. Watch this space station movie (only watch 0:35-3:28 and then 4:35-6:00).

Teacher Chair Physics: Do an inertia demonstration with a student in a chair on wheels and another student pushing the chair. The student sitting first stays still and throws the ball straight up. Then, the student sitting throws the ball straight up while being pushed at a constant velocity. Observe the ball coming back down in the student's hand both times.

What does this have to do with Newton's 1st Law of inertia? Discuss with groups and 2 groups share out.

b. Do "Science Court - Inertia."  Afterwards, complete the reflection questions with your group.

In groups, work through questions 1-6 of each section.  Write your answers in your journal.

Then, complete the "Science Court on Inertia (Cramwood vs. Jenkins)" assignment sheet.

Note to Teacher: You may need to download the entire folder to a computer to play it.

Part 2: Newton's Second Law (force = mass x acceleration)

a. Watch this space station movie (6 min).

Teacher Chair Physics: Apply the same amount of force to a chair on wheels when the chair is empty vs. occupied (2 student volunteers help with this).

What does this have to do with Newton's 2nd Law of F = ma? Discuss with groups and 2 groups share out.

b. Play the Newton's 2nd Law (F=ma) Relay Race following these guidelines. 

• Push the balls w/the bat still in contact - no swinging or hitting.

• Each team has a ball (bowling, soccer or beach), cones and bat.

• 2 or 3 people on each side of the basketball court behind the line.

• Push the ball around the cones to the other side using the bat only.

• At far side, the next person waits behind line for ball, then goes back.

• Switch balls and play again so all groups get to try all three balls.

In your journal, write "Newton's 2nd Law F=ma Relay" and answer these questions.

1. What applied the force to move or change the motion of the ball?

2. Was this a balanced or unbalanced force, and how do you know?

3. Which ball had the most inertia?  The least?

4. Which ball needed the most force to get it moving?  The least?

5. How does this game connect to Newton's 2nd law? Newton's 1st law?

If Absent: Complete the Force Practice Problems assignment sheet.

Part 3: Newton's Third Law (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction)

a. Watch this space station movie (6 min).

Teacher Chair Physics: Push the wall while standing next to the wall to see what happens ... then, while sitting on a rolling chair push the wall to see what happens.

What does this have to do with Newton's 3rd Law of Motion (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction)? Discuss with groups and 2 groups share out.

b. "For Every Action ..." Challenge

• Pairs of students sit back to back on the floor and link elbows.

• They then need to stand up without becoming un-linked.

• When all pairs within your table group have stood up get into a group of 3 to try standing up with arms linked.

• When your entire table group has stood up together, join another group and try combinations of 4, 5, 6, etc. with arms linked.

Debrief Questions (answer in your journal):

1. What strategies helped you and your partner(s) achieve success?

2. What was difficult and how did you overcome it?

3. How does this challenge relate to Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Bonus Challenge (thanks to student Colby): 4 people, 4 chairs, in a square, people laying down with heads resting on someone else's knees, then pull out chairs.

If Absent: Complete the Newton's Third Law assignment sheet.

Part 4: Skits

Watch the Newton's Laws slide show. 

Then, make a skit demonstrating one of Newton's three laws of motion.

Table groups prepare and present a 2 minute skit (dialogue, play, re-enactment, or other creative presentation) communicating their law of motion.

View student sample skits before beginning.

• Sample 1

• Sample 2

• Sample 3

Newton's Laws Extension: 

Watch a brief biography of Sir Isaac Newton and watch the 11 minute crash course in Newton's Laws.  Create a poster illustrating Sir Isaac Newton and some of his main contributions to science.