Newton's First Law of Motion
I can describe how Newton’s first law affects objects at rest and objects in mot
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General
In this lesson, students will look closely at how things start to move, continue moving, and stop moving. They will learn the physics, Newton's first law of motion, that makes objects such as skateboards, golf balls, and astronauts move the way they do.
Standards
NGSS:
MS-PS2-2
MS-PS2-1
Learning objective
Students will be able to describe how Newton’s first law affects objects at rest and objects in motion.
Introduction
Students will warm up by reading a scenario about a speed skater and answering a few questions. They will review unbalanced forces.
Instruction
Introduce Newton's first law of motion: an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion at a constant speed and in a straight line unless it encounters an unbalanced force. The lesson breaks down the law into two parts. Students will first learn about what happens to an object at rest when an unbalanced force acts upon it, like when a soccer player kicks a ball. They will draw their own examples. Next, students will learn about objects in motion with a spaceship scenario.
Explain friction to students. Have them slide books gently across their desks. Explain inertia to students. Consider a scenario about a rider and a horse. Ask students what would happen to the rider if the horse suddenly stopped.
Review mass with students and discuss whether a bowling ball or a tennis ball would have more inertia.
Quiz
Students will respond to ten true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple-choice questions.
Closing
Have students complete a two-question exit slip.
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