ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Any type of motion means a force is at work it is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics, and has formed the basis of the work of many pioneering scientists, including Isaac Newton. This video production introduces forces and some important basic laws and principles of physics. Content covered includes defining and identifying forces, balanced forces, unbalanced forces and inertia. Led by a presenter, a range of familiar objects is used to demonstrate and simplify a number of concepts including a car, a canoe, a bicycle - even a milkshake. It is an engaging resource, aimed at lower to middle level secondary students of Science, which uses everyday situations to explain these important fundamental areas. Duration of resource: 12 Minutes Year of Production: 2013 Stock code: VEA12054 Resource written by: Jodie Ashby Ba Science, Ba Education
For Teachers Introduction Physics is best introduced to students through fun and real life examples. This program takes students through the concept of forces. Students will investigate balanced and unbalanced forces on a playground, in water and on a push bike all of which provide students with real life examples they can easily relate too. The use of a vehicle pulls all the ideas of friction, gravity, balanced and unbalanced forces and inertia together. Timeline 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:46 Newtons 00:03:59 Balanced forces 00:06:19 Unbalanced forces 00:08:50 Inertia 00:11:21 Credits 00:12:01 End program Related Titles Forms of Energy The Energy of Chemical Reactions Chemical Analysis Techniques Recommended Resources www.pbs.org/teachers/sid/scienceadventures www.glasgowsciencecentre.org www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_laws.html http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/science/physical.htm 2
Student Worksheet Initiate Prior Learning 1. List all the times you have pushed something today. 2. List all the times you have pulled something today. 3. Forces are all around us. Brainstorm what you know about forces and share this with a friend. Are your results similar? 4. Construct a concept map using the following terms: force, push, pull, balanced force, unbalanced force, gravity, inertia, friction. 3
Active Viewing Guide What is a force? 1. A force is a 2. Force is measured in 3. Name two things that might happen to an object when we apply a force. Identifying forces 4. Circle the correct response: Friction always a) makes objects go faster b) keeps objects moving in the same direction c) opposes motion 5. On the diagram of the bike, label the following: gravity, supporting force, friction force, driving force. 4
Balanced forces 6. When is a force balanced? 7. What have you done today that requires balanced forces? Unbalanced forces 8. When is a force unbalanced? 9. What have you done today that requires unbalanced forces? Inertia 10. What is inertia? 11. Circle the correct response: If a car is turning left and you are not wearing a seatbelt, you would: a) go left b) go right c) remain stationary d) move forward 12. When does a seatbelt apply a force on us? 5
Extension Activities 1. Following the program, add to your concept map. You might want to add in the terms unbalanced forces and balanced forces and draw diagrams with force arrows. 2. A force is measured in Newtons (N). Using a spring balance and a small object, record the force that is required to pull the object over a range of different surfaces. How does the type of surface affect the force required? 3. Investigate what the force of gravity is on other planets. How do they compare with the Earth s gravitational pull? 4. Working in a small group, make up a table with the headings Balanced Forces and Unbalanced forces. Try to list at least six examples of each. Share your results with another group. 5. Design a cartoon to show one of the following: Inertia, Unbalanced force, Friction. 6. The program showed various examples of inertia in a car. Use these ideas to explain what happens to you when you are standing on a train and it: a) takes off, b) stops at a station, c) travels at constant speed, d) takes a left bend. 6
Suggested Student Responses Active Viewing Guide What is a force? 1. A force is a A push or pull 2. Force is measured in Newtons, N 3. Name two things that might happen to an object when we apply a force. Speed up, slow down, change its shape or change direction. Identifying forces 4. Circle the correct response: Friction always a) makes objects go faster b) keeps objects moving in the same direction c) opposes motion 5. On the diagram of the bike, label the following: gravity, supporting force, friction force, driving force. Balanced forces 6. When is a force balanced? Could include: When an object is stationary, when an object is floating, bridge, when the parachutist falls at constant speed. 7. What have you done today that requires balanced forces? Answers will vary but may include: sitting on a chair, standing still or travelling at a constant speed in a car or on a bike. 7
Unbalanced forces 8. When is a force unbalanced? Could include: when a car brakes or accelerates, playground rides 9. What have you done today that requires unbalanced forces? Answers will vary but may include: falling over, jumping up and down, accelerating from a stop at traffic lights, running fast then slowing down. Inertia 10. What is inertia? The resistance of an object to any change in the way it is moving. 11. Circle the correct response: If a car is turning left and you are not wearing a seatbelt, you would: a) go left b) go right c) remain stationary d) move forward 12. When does a seatbelt apply a force on us? When the forces are unbalanced. 8
Extension Activities 1. Following the program, add to your concept map. You might want to add in the terms unbalanced forces and balanced forces and draw diagrams with force arrows. Answers will vary 2. A force is measured in Newtons (N). Using a spring balance and a small object, record the force that is required to pull the object over a range of different surfaces. How does the type of surface affect the force required? The rougher the surface the greater the force required to pull the object over 3. Investigate what the force of gravity is on other planets. How do they compare with the Earth s gravitational pull? Answers will vary depending on the planet. For example, the force of gravity is much less on Mars and Mercury, similar on Venus and much greater on Jupiter. 4. Working in a small group, make up a table with the headings Balanced Forces and Unbalanced forces. Try to list at least six examples of each. Share your results with another group. Answers will vary but may include: balanced - when an object is stationary, when the parachutist falls at constant speed, when a car travels at constant speed; unbalanced - when a car brakes or accelerates, playground rides, when a sprinter starts running on hearing the starter s gun. 5. Design a cartoon to show one of the following: Inertia, Unbalanced force, Friction. Answers will vary 6. The program showed various examples of inertia in a car. Use these ideas to explain what happens to you when you are standing on a train and it: a) takes off, b) stops at a station, c) travels at constant speed, d) takes a left bend. a) Takes off you appear to fall backwards because your body has not initially moved with the train b) Stops at the station you move forward because your body does not stop with the train. No seatbelt to hold you still like in a car. C) Travels at constant speed your body feels like it s not moving because you are travelling at the same speed as the train d) takes a left bend your body appears to go right as it has not moved left like the train 9