A Force is a Force, Of Course

Students will understand basic definitions of force and related terminology, such as work and energy.

Physical Science Content Standard B: As a result of activities, students should develop an understanding of motions and forces.

Internet access skills; reference skills; Microsoft Power Point software skills.

Procedure with Teaching Strategies
1. Students will research the concept of forces using the references provided.
2. Students will develop a Power Point presentation that defines and explains the nature of forces and cites examples of forces of nature.

Materials:
1. student computer with internet access
2. additional physics references
3. Microsoft Office software

Vocabulary:
1. Mechanics
2. Mass
3. Inertia
4. Motion
5. Acceleration
6. G-force
7. Force
8. Proportional (direct/inverse)
9. Vectors
10. Work
11. Friction
12. Equilibrium
13. Energy
14. Air resistance
15. Momentum

Resources:
1. Forces http://www.hughchristie.kent.sch.uk/science/force.htm
2. Forces on Objects Undergoing Circular Motion http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
3. Air Resistance http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
4. Law of Universal Gravitation http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/phys-sci/gravity/index2.htm
5. Simulation—Force and Friction http://library.advanced.org/10170/pullbox/index.html
6. When Push Comes to Pull http://master.ph.utexas.edu/CTC/GBell/modules/motion/Newton3.html
7. Speeding Marbles http://master.ph.utexas.edu/CTC/TSellers/NewtonsLaws/marble.html
8. Work and Energy http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch6WrkEnrg/ToC.html
9. Momentum http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch5Momntm/ToC.html
10. Newton’s Laws of Motion http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch4Nwtn/ToC.html
11. Scalars and Vectors http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch3_2D/Vectors.html
12. Acceleration http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/3050/Ch2Motion/Accel.html
13. Linear Momentum http://jasmine.esu10.k12.ne.us/~lexingto/LexSchools/buildings/High/Science/Physics/linear.html
14. Vectors http://jasmine.esu10.k12.ne.us/~lexingto/LexSchools/buildings/High/Science/Physics/vectors.html
15. Inertia http://www.neutron.anl.gov/inertia.htm
16. Vectors http://www.kapili.com/physics4kids/motion/vectors.html
17. Forces http://www.kapili.com/physics4kids/motion/force.html
18. VanCleave, Janice. Gravity, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1993.
19. Fleisher, Paul. Secrets of the Universe, Aatheneum, New York, 1987.
20. Daniels, Patricia, Allan Fallow, and Karin Kinney, Editorial Directors. Physical Forces, Time-Life, Alexandria, Virginia, 1993.

Classroom Management: This lesson will require several days, particularly if Power Point instruction is required. One class period should be slated for research and two periods for the development of the presentation. It is beneficial if students are permitted to view each others completed projects, as well.

This assignment should be evaluated for completeness and correctness. A minimum number of slides should be required with a list of necessary terms to be included. Additionally, the insertion of graphics and/or Internet pictures may also be required.

Another kind of force is “centripetal” force.. Find out how this force relates to a roller coaster.

Internet access
Microsoft Power Point or other presentation tools.
LMC access