Activity Overview
Force can be calculated using Newton’s 2nd Law, force = mass x acceleration or F=ma. This means if there is a resultant force, then the velocity will change. In this assignment, students will draw force diagrams of a car moving in three different ways. The car is traveling at a constant speed (balanced), accelerating, and decelerating. Students should be reminded to be mindful about the direction and the length of the arrows, and use consistent color coding and labeling throughout their diagrams.
In order to differentiate this to challenge your more advanced students, introduce a scenario where the car is on a slope. This way, students won't just be looking at forces that are either vertical or horizontal.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of force and the effect it has on motion by drawing force diagrams. Remember forces have both a size and direction. This means you need to be careful about the direction and length of the arrows.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- The situations on the left are car traveling at constant speed, car accelerating, and car slowing down.
- Use arrows from the shapes menu to add force diagrams to the cells on the right. Change the arrow to make them the correct length and that they are pointing in the correct direction.
- Label your arrows using Textables.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 50 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force Arrows and Labels | | | |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Force can be calculated using Newton’s 2nd Law, force = mass x acceleration or F=ma. This means if there is a resultant force, then the velocity will change. In this assignment, students will draw force diagrams of a car moving in three different ways. The car is traveling at a constant speed (balanced), accelerating, and decelerating. Students should be reminded to be mindful about the direction and the length of the arrows, and use consistent color coding and labeling throughout their diagrams.
In order to differentiate this to challenge your more advanced students, introduce a scenario where the car is on a slope. This way, students won't just be looking at forces that are either vertical or horizontal.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of force and the effect it has on motion by drawing force diagrams. Remember forces have both a size and direction. This means you need to be careful about the direction and length of the arrows.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- The situations on the left are car traveling at constant speed, car accelerating, and car slowing down.
- Use arrows from the shapes menu to add force diagrams to the cells on the right. Change the arrow to make them the correct length and that they are pointing in the correct direction.
- Label your arrows using Textables.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 50 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force Arrows and Labels | | | |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Showing Force and Motion
How to model real-life force and motion scenarios with everyday classroom objects
Engage students by connecting force and motion concepts to items they see and use daily. Hands-on experiences spark curiosity and deepen understanding of physics in the real world.
Gather simple objects for demonstration
Collect items like toy cars, marbles, rulers, books, and ramps. Choose objects already in your classroom so setup is quick and students can relate to the materials.
Set up a mini-experiment station
Arrange a flat surface and a sloped surface using books or folders. Designate areas for each type of motion (constant, accelerating, decelerating) to keep the activity organized.
Demonstrate each motion scenario
Roll the toy car on the flat surface for constant speed, push it harder for acceleration, and gently slow it with your hand for deceleration. Model each action clearly so students see the difference in force and speed.
Guide students to draw force diagrams of what they observe
Ask students to sketch the toy car and add arrows to represent forces acting on it in each scenario. Encourage accurate arrow direction and length to reinforce key concepts.
Discuss and reflect as a class
Facilitate a conversation about how the observed forces matched their diagrams. Highlight real-world applications and invite students to suggest other everyday examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about Showing Force and Motion
What is a force diagram and how do you draw one for a moving car?
A force diagram visually shows all the forces acting on an object, like a car. To draw one, sketch the car and use arrows to represent each force (e.g., push, friction, gravity), making sure arrow length matches force strength and direction shows where the force is applied.
How do you show balanced and unbalanced forces in a force diagram?
In a force diagram, balanced forces have arrows of equal length pointing in opposite directions, showing no change in motion. Unbalanced forces have arrows of different lengths or more arrows in one direction, resulting in acceleration or deceleration.
What changes in a force diagram when a car moves up or down a slope?
When drawing a car on a slope, you must include the force of gravity acting down the slope and the normal force perpendicular to the surface. Forces are no longer just vertical or horizontal, making arrow direction and length crucial for accuracy.
Why is it important to use consistent arrow lengths and labeling in force diagrams?
Consistent arrow lengths represent the relative size of forces, helping students compare strengths visually. Proper labeling ensures clarity, so viewers easily understand which force each arrow represents, reducing confusion in science lessons.
What are some tips for teaching force diagrams to middle school students?
Use color coding for different forces, start with real-life examples (like cars), break down diagrams step by step, and encourage students to check arrow direction and size. Providing practice with varied scenarios, like cars on slopes, builds deeper understanding.
More Storyboard That Activities
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