Newton’s Laws of Motion Centers
Student Name ______
“Since the first caveman threw a rock at a saber-toothed tiger, we’ve been intrigued by the study of motion. In our quest to understand nature, we’ve looked for simple, fundamental laws that all objects obey……No single person has had as great an impact on science as Isaac Newton.”
(Jerry Sellers; “Understanding Space, An Introduction to Astronautics” pg. 109.
Newton's Laws – Ball Drop Laboratory
Observation Table:
Depth of dent in clay/sand (cm)Type of Ball / Mass of Ball (g) / Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3
Ping Pong Ball
Tennis Ball
Baseball
Pool Ball
Conclusion Questions:
1. Describe one way you observed Newton’s First Law of Motion during this laboratory.
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2. Newton’s Second Law of Motion explains the relationship between mass, force and acceleration. In this experiment acceleration due to gravity was the same for each ball. What was the relationship between FORCE and MASS when acceleration was held constant?
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3. Describe one way you observed Newton’s Third Law of Motion during this laboratory.
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Newton’s First Law
Student Data Sheet: In the spaces below answer the questions in each lab. Use the space to take notes. Create tables to record your observations and/or data. If needed sketch diagrams.
Frayer Model
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s Race
Prediction: How will increasing mass (adding more washers) affect the force of objects in motion (the distance the vehicle rolls)?
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Record your data:
Distance traveled in cm(car only) / Distance traveled in cm
(car + ______washers) / Distance traveled in cm
(car + ______washers) / Distance traveled in cm
(car + _____ washers)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Questions:
1. How does increasing mass (adding more washers) affect the force of objects in motion (the distance the vehicle rolls)? Explain your answer using data from the chart.
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2. What would happen if you added weights to the car? Predict how far the car would roll.
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3. Explain the results of your experiment in terms of Newton’s 2nd Law.
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Frayer Model
Newton’s Third Law
Student Data Sheet: In the spaces below answer the questions in each lab. Use the space to take notes. Create tables to record your observations and/or data. If needed sketch diagrams.
Frayer Model
Newton CentersPage 1