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In this collection of demonstrations, learners explore Newton's Laws of Motion. These seventeen quick activities investigate air resistance, acceleration, terminal velocity, inertia, action-reaction, and other key concepts related to forces and motion. These demonstrations can be coupled together or conducted individually.
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Demonstration
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- heavy object (wood or metal - bundle of keys, piece of wood, etc.)
- sheets of paper
- book
- four 3x5 cards or flat-bottomed Mr.Coffee-style coffee filters
- 4 film canisters
- steel ball
- glass marble
- tall container (e.g. large graduated cylinder, clear tennis ball container, etc.)
- Karo Syrup (light, not dark)
- paper towels
- 3x5 card
- drinking glass
- coin
- oilcloth or smooth plastic tablecloth
- dishes and/or glasses
- two identical masses (approximately 200 g or greater) that have places to tie a thread or light string to them on both the top and bottom
- thread or light string
- cross-bar
- cushioning (e.g. foam rubber, jacket, or bunch of plastic shopping bags stuffed inside a single bag)
- two rolls of toilet paper (one full and one almost empty)
- horizontal rod or dowel
- two masses that have the same geometrical and textural feel but somewhat different in mass (e.g. two film cans, one filled with pennies, the other half-filled)
- chair or table
- embroidery hoop
- spice jar or other container with similar size opening
- 5 or 6 wood blocks - each about 5 in long, cut from a relatively smooth-surfaced 2x4
- meter stick or other suitable
- half a manila file folder
- tape
- marshmallows (large size)
- flour
Subjects
-
Physical Sciences
-
Motion and Forces
- Gravity
- Momentum and Velocity
- Acceleration
- Newton's Laws
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
-
Motion and Forces
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Food and Cooking
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Rathjen, Don
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Exploratorium, 2007