Teach Engineering
Equal and Opposite Thrust in Aircraft: You're a Pushover!
It's the law—every action requires a reaction, no matter how small. Pupils experience two demonstrations of Newton's third law of motion as it relates to thrust in the 10th segment of a 22-part unit on flight. Using their mathematical...
Curated OER
Newton in Motion-Project
Students investigate Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this Newton's Third Law of Motion lesson, students explore the law in the real world. Students break down the definition for understanding and do an experiment using a balloon.
Museum of Science
Balloon Racers
Watch those balloon cars go! Scholars build racers that run using the power of balloons and conduct races with the cars. They learn about Newton's third law of motion and how it applies to their balloon racers.
DiscoverE
Launch It
Launch pupil interest in rockets. Scholars build rockets out of straws and balloons to learn about Newton's Third Law of Motion. Their task is to hit a target five feet away. It's not as easy as it seems!
Anchorage School District
Roller Coaster Project
Emerging engineers work in teams to design pipe insulation roller coasters for marbles that meet specific parameters. They are required to label along the track the areas where kinetic and potential energy are highest and lowest, where...
NASA
Egg Drop Lander
You have to crack a few eggs to make a good engineer! Working in small groups, young scholars design, build, and test devices that protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a ladder.
DiscoverE
Rocket-Powered Ski Lift
If a ski lift had rockets, imagine how fast it would be! Scholars let their imaginations take flight as they build models for such a ski lift. Rather than using a rocket, though, they'll use a much safer balloon as the power source.
It's About Time
Run and Jump
Has your class wondered how fast a human could run or how high they are capable of jumping? Help them understand these concepts as they explore acceleration and use an accelerometer to make semiquantitative measurements of acceleration...
DiscoverE
Air-Powered Mini Rocket
Does the position of the clips make a difference? The activity provides directions to build and test a paper rocket. Pupils attach paper clips to the rocket in different configurations and measure the distance the rocket flies each time....
NASA
Glenn Research Center: Newton's Laws of Motion
NASA presents a concise explanation of Newton's three laws of motion. Click on the highlighted vocabulary to find more detailed and illustrated descriptions. Included is a link to a movie that shows how the laws of motion described the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Newton Rocket Car
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate Newton's third law of motion - which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction - through a small wooden car. The Newton cars show how action/reaction works and how the mass...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Rocket Power
By making and testing simple balloon rockets, students acquire a basic understanding of Newton's third law of motion as it applies to rockets. Using balloons, string, straws and tape, they see how rockets are propelled by expelling...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: You're a Pushover!
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...
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Push It Out Rocket
Science experiment that explores Newton's Third Law. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation.
Michigan Reach Out
Nasa: Rocket Activity: Rocket Pinwheel
This site provides directions for a basic activity that allows students to explore Newton's Third Law of Motion.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Gravity Force Lab
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...
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics by the Fire: Match Stick Rocket
Match stick rockets makes a great demonstrations to show students Newton's third law. By covering a match with tin foil, students can see the reaction thrust as the molecules escaping the matchstick are propelled into the air. Lesson...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Pop Rockets
Students design and build a paper rocket around a film canister, which is used as the engine. An antacid tablet and water are put into the canister, react to form carbon dioxide gas, and act as the pop rocket's propellant. With the lid...
NASA
Nasa Glenn Research Center: Rocket Car (Class Activity)
Students discover Newton's Third Law of Motion by constructing a rocket car.
Michigan Reach Out
Newton's Apple: Soccer
Learning physics can help you win your next soccer game as well as prepare you for your science studies.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Into Space!
While building and testing model rockets fueled by antacid tablets, students are introduced to the basic physics concepts on how rockets work. Students revise and improve their initial designs. Note: This activity is similar to the...
Michigan Reach Out
Nasa: Soda Pop Can Hero Engine
Students explore all three parts of Newton's Laws of Motion by observing a spinning pop can.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix Series: Satellites, Shuttles, and Space Stations
[Free Registration/Login Required] Simulate the launch of a rocket to see how rocket propulsion works. After the activity, answer a challenge question to check for understanding.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Think Fast!
Are you a piano player or a video gamer? Then you might have a quick reaction time that can come in handy while playing sports. Find out how to measure your reaction time and compare it to your friends and family with this fun experiment.