Newtons+Laws+6-8


 * Describe what happens when object A applies a force to object B
 * Describe what happens when an object at rest or in motion experiences an unbalanced force
 * Explain and apply Newton’s third law



Engage: Activate Prior Knowledge; Generate Interest

Play the animation [|force] for the class. Ask students what the words "action" and "reaction" refer to. Ask students to list other instances where there is an "action" and a "reaction". Make a list on the board.



Show students the video segment [|Newton's Three Laws of Motion in Everyday Life]. Ask students to describe examples of moving objects seen in the video and add them to the brainstorm list. Encourage students to share their ideas about what makes these objects move. Ask students to share ideas about how the motion of objects could be measured. Accept all reasonable responses.

Explore: Allowing Students to Experience Content

Show students the video segments [|Newton's Third Law of Motion] (states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction) and [|Newton's Third Law of Motion] (how rockets work can be by Newton's Third Law of Motion.). When students are finished, instruct them to summarize Newton’s Third Law in their own words. Then, have them describe how Newton’s Third Law applies to kicking a ball. Students should identify the action and reaction pairs. Have students consider how the interaction of the ball and foot system would change if the kicker were standing on slippery ice. (The force of the ball acting on the person would cause the person to slide backwards after the kick.)



Explain: Firm Up Understanding; Allow Students to Explain They Know

Have students review the interactive video [|Laws of Motion] Students should take notes about the three laws of motion, paying particular attention to the third law.



This is a good opportunity to discuss //scientific laws// with students. A scientific law is a description of a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world. It is a general statement about a body of observations. There are no exceptions to a scientific law. A //scientific theory//, on the other hand, is a well-supported and widely accepted //explanation// of nature. Newton’s three laws of motion make it possible to predict how an object will move under given circumstances, such as when a force is applied. However, those laws do not attempt to explain //why// objects move the way they do. Remember that scientific knowledge is durable because it is open to change as new evidence or interpretations are encountered. Wrap up the discussion by asking students to compare how a scientific law differs from a societal law, and how a scientific theory differs from the common use of the word “theory” in everyday life.

Elaborate: Allow Students to Apply What They Know

Show students the video segment [|The Physics of Skydiving]. Students should work in groups of three to draw a picture of a sky-diver, and note under the picture how each of Newton’s Laws applies to act of skydiving. Then, create a picture on the board and have students’ explain their ideas to the class.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**Project Ideas:** To help your students apply their understanding of the, you may wish to have your students complete some or all of the following projects. The time required to complete each project will vary; some may require students to work outside the classroom.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Students create a poster about how Newton’s First and Third Laws apply to objects in outer space.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Students write a short paper about how Isaac Newton came up with his three Laws of Motion.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Students create a presentation about how Newton’s laws apply to a rollercoaster at an amusement park.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Evaluate: Check for Understanding

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Have students complete the Brief Constructed Response (BCR) item titled [|Newton’s Laws]. You may also wish to assign the online concept assessment and use the results in the student reports to guide you in assigning any remediation to students.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">