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Describing Motion-Speed
Pupils study speed and learn how to calculate it. In this investigative lesson students participate in an activity that shows them how to calculate speed then they fill out a worksheet.
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Balloon Powered Race Cars
Students examine Newton's Law of Motion and use the formula to calculate speed. In this laws of motion lesson students create a balloon powered car and calculate its speed and distance.
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Straight Line Motion in Two Parts
Students describe and quantify the motion of toy cars. In this motion lesson, students observe a battery powered toy car on a flat surface and a standard toy car on a sloped surface. They write their observations, measure average speeds,...
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Describing the Motion of a Battery Powered Cars
Students explore distance a toy car travels by changing the amount of batteries used to power the toy car. In this force and motion lesson, students calculate the average speed of a car while investigating the power from various...
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Alternative Energy Part II - Lesson Eight of Eight - Energy Conversion and Propulsion
Students investigate the results of different propulsion methods. In this propulsion instructional activity, students measure the distance a test toy car goes using different types of propulsion. They record the distances in data tables...
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Slam On the Brakes!
Fifth graders study the concept of momentum and its application by Newton in his studies. They view a demonstration and complete an experiment with toy cars on a racetrack that shows them the properties of momentum and how velocity and...
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Forces and Motion-The Downhill Racer
Students calculate a toy car's velocity and acceleration. In this force and motion lesson, students build ramps and attach a dropper to a toy car, which is released down the ramp. Students calculate and graph velocity and acceleration...
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Straight Line Motion with a Stomper
Students explore average speed, and graph distances and time. In this speed and velocity instructional activity students complete a lab then calculate distances, acceleration and velocity and graph the data.
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Investigating Motion, Forces, and Energy Lab Book
Eighth graders create their own experiements using toy trucks, cars or balls to measure the time it takes two of them to travel 5 meters, as well as at each 1 meter interval. They make use computers to make a time/distance graph and...
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Surface Friction and Wear Characteristics of Common Materials
Students identify the factors affecting friction. In this physics lesson, students construct their own rocket car and race them. They graph the average speeds and discuss how lubricants affect friction between rubbing surfaces.
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Newton's Laws of Motion
Middle schoolers perform three activities that each demonstrate one of Newton's Laws of Motion. They use a ramp and toy car to demonstrate inertia, calculate acceleration due to gravity, then use a medicine ball and rolling chair to...
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Moving Along
Students are introduced to the concept of motion. In groups, they practice calculating the rate, time, and distance of various objects on a variety of surfaces. To end the lesson, they apply the same principles to those objects moving...