Newton 1,2,3
From Algodoo
Newton's Three Laws
| Language: | English |
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| Description: | This lesson is designed to reinforce Newton’s Laws, especially law number three. Using the ‘View Forces’ feature, students will be able to visualize the forces at work and see how objects respond to multiple forces. |
| Target: | Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 |
| Category: | Laboratory |
| Discipline: | Static forces, Friction, Gravity |
| Learning objectives: |
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| In class: | Discuss what will happen if two kids push on the same object in opposite directions. Which way will the object go? Have them explain their reasoning.
Ask again what will happen if three kids push in one direction while only one pushes in the opposite direction. Have them explain their reasoning. Lead them to realize that the object will move in the direction of the strongest force. If the forces are equal, the object will not move. Finally ask them what forces are acting on an object that is sitting still on a desk or the floor. If students identify gravity as the only force present, challenge them to explain why the object doesn’t move in that direction. Lead students to realize there must be a second force present that is preventing the force from moving downward. |
Steps in Algodoo
CREATE A SCENE
Open a new scene and create a horizontal plane. In the right sidebar, under Visualization, select to view forces and to view their names. Then select to view Hinge, Friction, Air Buoyancy, Gravity and Normal forces. Finally create a circle of any size.
MAKE A PREDICTION
Before you play the sim, predict which of the above forces will act on the circle. Do you think the forces that act on it while it is falling will be the same as the forces that act on it while it is still?
RUN/INTERACT
Play the simulation, and observe the arrows that represent the forces. Notice what direction they are pointing and how large they are. Use the drag tool to pick up the object and throw the object to see what forces are present while it is mid air. Create other circles and squares of different sizes to see how the forces on the different objects compare. Be sure to stack the objects, throw them into each other, etc to see how the forces change.
EVALUATE
Is there any relation between the size of the object and the size of the forces acting on it? What kind of force do you see when you drag an object across the floor? How does the size of it change?
REVISE SCENE
Describe a scene so there is only 1 force acting on an object. What about 2 or 3 forces? Is it possible to have zero forces action on an object?
RUN/INTERACT
Build the scene above and see if your predictions are correct. If they are not, revise your prediction and try again. All of them are possible.
