What does a tennis match look like in a microgravity environment? The installment of the STEM on Station series gives pupils a firsthand look at motion in that special environment. The compelling video shows how astronauts use momentum and inertia to their advantage while they compete in the first-ever tennis match in space.

Concepts

newton's first law of motion, newton's laws of motion, newton's second law of motion, newton's third law of motion, microgravity

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Incorporate the video during a unit on Newton's Laws of Motion
• Use vectors to describe the specific motion of the tennis ball at specific times and make calculations with video analysis

Classroom Considerations

• Consider monitoring YouTube comments if making available for independent viewing

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Includes real footage from the International Space Station
• Uses humor and a fun environment to add interest
  

Cons

• None