Newton’s Laws, an exploration of the known

Task 1

  1. Define mass:
  1. Define weight:
  1. How are mass and weight related?
  1. Fill in the data table below

Planet / Moon / Weight (lbs) / Planet / Moon / Weight (lbs)
Mercury / Jupiter
Venus / Saturn
Earth / Uranus
Moon / Neptune
Mars / Pluto
  1. Draw a line graph of your weights from the data table above. Be sure to appropriately label and scale your graph.
  1. Why is your weight different at the different locations? Your mass has not changed, has it? Please explain…
  1. Define gravity:
  1. What two factors affect / determine the amount of gravity an object has?
  1. What did Galileo do to experiment with gravity?
  1. What happens when two objects of different masses are dropped in a vacuum? Why?
  1. What happens to objects in space as they get closer to each other?
  1. When there are multiple “space” bodies, which one(s) does the moving object tend to gravitate towards? Why?

Task 2

  1. What does Newton’s 1st Law state?
  1. What is inertia?
  1. Perform the object at rest activity (located at bottom of linked webpage) and explain how it demonstrates Newton’s 1st Law.
  1. How is inertia demonstrated in an automobile with rapid acceleration from a stop?
  1. How is inertia demonstrated in an automobile that is moving and comes to a sudden stop?

Task 3

  1. What does Newton’s 2nd Law state?
  1. In the equation F=ma identify what the variables represent.

F= m= a=

  1. What causes acceleration?
  1. What causes deceleration?
  1. How is it possible (or is it) for an elephant and a robin to create the same amount of force? Support your answer with fictitious data.
  1. How does the game of pool demonstrate Newton’s 2nd law?

Task 4

  1. What does Newton’s 3rd Law state?
  1. How is Newton’s 3rd law demonstrated when a rocket is launched?
  1. Why do rockets work in space when there are so few molecules to push against?
  1. Can you list another reason why rockets work so well in space besides that the exhaust pushing away surrounding air? (Hint: What kind of media is the rocket traveling in?)
  1. How many forces are present on an apple hanging from a branch in a tree? List them.
  1. Are they balanced or unbalanced? Explain
  1. What must happen for the apple to fall from the tree?
  1. Which direction does a fired cannon move in comparison to its fired projectile? Why?
  1. What do you think would happen to the cannon if you increased the mass of the cannonball fired? Why?
  1. How does the cannon scenario relate to Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws? Explain.