Lesson Plans
Action and Reaction
To demonstrate that forces occur only in pairs. Sun-Centered Physics
Students use a coronal mass ejection (CME) to determine the relationship between position, average velocity and average acceleration and to analyze the motion of the coronal mass in terms of the forces acting on the body (Lesson 1). Mass/Acceleration
To see the relationship between mass and acceleration of an object.
Newton's Laws of Motion Lab Activities
While this lesson plan unit requires a lot of teacher confidence, you will find it a unit sure to be well received by your students.
Inertia
Students will demonstrate some activities illustrating inertia. Rotational Inertia
Students will demonstrate how the resistance of an object to rotation is rotational inertia.
Why Use Seat Belts?
Students will show some reasons for wearing seat belts. Straight Line Motion in Two Parts
Students will observe both constant and accelerated (changing) motion. They should be able to calculate speed from distance and time measurements. They will graph distance vs. time for each motion and observe that the two motions look different when graphed. (could be adapted to support Tech COS 5, 11) Acceleration of a Cart
Analyze the motion of an accelerating cart.
Force Counterforce
Students experiment with model parachutes to understand that the force of gravity affects acceleration of a falling object and that air resistance and friction act as counterforces to gravity. Calculating Force, Mass, and Acceleration
Students traditionally have a very difficult time identifying the given values in a word problem. This activity is designed to help students gain an understanding of what information is being given to them in word problems. Newton's Third Law
Pupils will verbalize and demonstrate Newton's 3rd Law of Motion: action and reaction.
Measuring Friction
Students perform experiments to determine which factors effect the amount of friction using a shoe, ruler, and rubberband
Newton's Third Law of Motion
Several examples of experiments that illustrate Newton's 3rd Law of Motion
NCAA Basketball - The Chalkboard
Students will design a way to demonstrate Newton's third law and share it with the class.
NASA Glenn Research Center - Newton's Three Laws of Motion
Click on the links for reference information, diagrams, and lessons
Interactives - Amusement Park Physics
Choose "Roller Coaster" - Kinetic vs. Potential Energy
Choose "Bumper Cars" - Newton's Third Law of Motion
Choose "Free Fall - Weightless Water Trick" or "Pendulum" - Gravity
Choose "Related Resource" - Make a webquest or reading assignment from the list (also supports Tech COS 14) Reeko's Mad Scientist Lab - Milk Carton Water Wheel
Newton's Third Law
Nye Lab
Marble Madness - Demonstrates momentum | 
