“Use the Force, Luke”:

Defining Newton’s 2nd Law

Presented by: Miss Walker
What Do We Hope to Accomplish?
• Content-Based Standard:
Learning Target: I will – SC08:S5C2PO3: Describe
how the acceleration of a
be able to conduct an body is dependent on its
mass and the net applied
investigation of force (Newton’s 2nd Law of
Motion)
Newton’s Second Law • Inquiry Process
Standards:
to conclude and discuss – SC08:S1C1PO 3. Generate
a hypothesis that can be
how mass, –
tested.
SC08:S1C2PO 3. Conduct
acceleration, and force a controlled investigation
to support or reject a
hypothesis.
relate to each other. – SC08:S1C4PO 5.
Communicate the results
and conclusion of the
investigation.
Let’s Review!!!
• Let’s Examine Our Desks:
– Without touching the desk or moving it in any
way, what is our desk’s current state of
motion?
– Is your desk at rest or in motion?
– Do you think your desk would start moving if
you left the classroom?
Let’s Review!!!
• Newton’s First Law:
– An object at rest tends to stay unless acted on by an
unbalanced force.
– An object in motion will continue with constant speed
and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
The Tug of War Effect
• Tug of War:
– Story: Which side will most likely
win?
– Picture: Which side will most likely
win?
What is Newton’s Second Law?

F=ma
(Force = mass
times
acceleration)
What is Force?
• Force:
– Strength or energy applied
towards any object
– Push or pull of an object
What is Mass?
Mass: a
measure of the
amount of
matter that a
body or object
contains
What is Acceleration?
Acceleration: change in
velocity over time
Comets Cratering Lab
Let’s Talk About Force!
• How did the mass of the smallest
marble relate to the size of the
impact it made? The medium-
sized marble? The largest
marble?
Force = mass * acceleration
Let’s Talk About Force!
• What observations did you
make about the relation of
mass, acceleration, and force
throughout the lab?
• Discuss why the equation,
F=m*a, is true in by relating
your answer to the results of
the lab.
Force = mass * acceleration
Extend
• http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-
Interactives/Newtons-Laws/Force/Force-Interactive