Product Detail: Science Object

Description

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the second of four Science Objects in the Force and Motion SciPack. It provides a conceptual and real-world understanding of Newton’s First Law of Motion. All objects will maintain a constant speed and direction of motion unless an unbalanced outside force acts on it. When an unbalanced force acts on an object, its speed or direction (or both) will change. The tendency of objects to maintain a constant speed and direction of motion (velocity) in the absence of an unbalanced force is known as intertia. Even in the most familiar, every day situations, frictional forces can complicate the analysis of motion, although the basic principles still apply.

Ideas For Use

Science Objects are two hour learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers can access any topic “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on the science literacy goals in the national standards (NSES, Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, and the Atlas of Scientific Literacy) and tied to state standards.

Each Science Object provides an understanding of the science content by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena and are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects utilize the five phases of inquiry-based learning: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.

Learning Outcomes:

Force and Motion: Newton's First Law

• Recognize and give examples of forces.
• Recognize and give examples of balanced and unbalanced forces.
• Equate the term “unbalanced force” with “a net force that does not equal zero.”
• Apply, in an informal way, Newton’s first law.
• Explain the role of the force of friction in determining how well Newton’s first law seems to apply or not apply to a given physical situation.
• Explain the reasoning Galileo used to justify the second part of Newton’s first law.
• Explain how the force of friction applies to the second part of Newton’s first law.
• Recognize the concept of inertia (as opposed to a force, momentum, etc.).
• Recognize that an object at rest may have forces acting on it.
• Distinguish between “impulse” and “sustained” forces (and recognize both).
• Recognize that objects do not have internal forces that keep them moving.

Additional Info

Technical