A realistic simulation uses charts to show forces, position, velocity, and acceleration versus time based on how the simulation is set up. Once those concepts are mastered, scholars use free body diagrams to explain how each graph relates to the others. Scholars should be able to sketch free body diagrams when complete.

Concepts

force, velocity, acceleration, motion, force diagrams

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Using a box you can add weight to, have scholars figure out how much force it would take to move the box a specified distance in a specified time; then, have them try to move it within those parameters. Keep adding more weight and redoing the calculations so they can feel the amount of applied force

Classroom Considerations

• Requires Java 1.5.0_15 or later for all Linux and Windows computers and Java 1.5.0_19 or later for all Macintosh
• Fits into the curriculum well when teaching Newton's Second Law of Motion

Pros

• Includes links to many teacher-created lessons, labs, demos, and assignments that use this simulation
• Translates simulation into 44 different languages
• Offers insights into student thinking to assist in guiding them to the correct conclusions

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.9 RST.9-10.9 RST.11-12.9