Introduce young scholars to the ideas of motion and force in this hands-on lesson plan.

In this physics lab (best done outside), students will explore Newton's Third Law - 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. Students will fill empty 35-mm film canisters with water and part of an Alka-Seltzer tablet,...

As students begin to understand the physics behind thrust, drag, and gravity and how these relate these to Newton's three laws of motion, groups assemble and launch the rockets that they designed in the associated lesson.

An interactive simulation that teaches about gravitational force, Newton's Third Law, and force pairs by varying properties affect the gravitational force exerted between two objects. This simulation can either be downloaded or played...

In this document, we will try to answer a fundamental question of physical science, "Why do things start to move, slow down, speed up, stop moving or change direction?" In answering these core questions we can develop concepts that can...

In this activity, students test Isaac Newton's ideas on the nature of motion, in particular his 2nd Law. The emphasis is on the process of science, investigation, and experimentation, not the results. Students must come up with their own...

[Free Registration/Login Required] In this simulation, students investigate the question of whether force is required to keep a sled moving on ice.

Profile of Isaac Newton, with a description of his scientific theories, the impact he had on the world of science in his day, and the influence his ideas still have in the world today.

In this interactive module students will explore what different ancient cultures believe was an explanation of the stars and planets. They will look at how the work of Nicolas Copernicus revolutionize the world of astronomy and learn how...

This activity is a take off of Galileo's experiment with the inclined planes to show that an object in motion would stay in a straight line motion if no outside forces acted were acting on it. In this version, students will roll a ball...

This lesson is for 9th grade physical science students. It begins with an inquiry-based lesson using a projectile motion computer simulation. It culminates with students building a catapult; applying and connecting science knowledge from...

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text explaining how the laws of motion apply to basketball. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

Students must find out different things for a series of objects moving as a system.

How does an airplane stay aloft when upside down? This media-rich essay from the NOVA Web site offers an explanation based on Newton's third law of motion.

This experiment examines Newton's Second Law of Motion. Learn how centrifugal and centripetal force help to keep a marble in a can when turned upside down.

Activity uses scientific process to explore the effects of force on an object in motion.

The wind blowing over your house, the Gulf Stream flowing into the North Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Europe, the jet stream at 10 km altitude. All these different flows in the atmosphere and in the ocean can be understood using ideas...

Experience the effect of friction, air resistance, and applied force upon a sledder. The speed, acceleration, and force values are displayed as the sled moves. Learners can vary the mass of the sledder and the size of the parachute...

This University of Minnesota site provides a series of contextually rich, real-world problems demonstrating force and Newton's second law of motion.

This presentation explains why an object remains at rest, despite the fact that the particles within the object are in motion.

In this rocket experiment, middle schoolers will investigate the question, "Which amount of water will cause the rocket to stay in the air the longest?" Students will compare how long the rocket was in the air with how much water was in...

Students observe the relationship between the angle of a catapult (a force measurement) and the flight of a cotton ball. They learn how Newton's second law of motion works by seeing directly that F = ma. When they pull the metal "arm"...

The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, which is the physical law that governs thrust in aircraft. The students will do several activities that show that for every action there is an equal and opposite...

In this lesson, students will study how propellers and jet turbines generate thrust. This lesson focuses on Isaac Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.