Practical Physics: Inertia and Newton's First Law

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content provider: the Nuffield Curriculum Centre
written by the Nuffield Curriculum Centre

This is a set of six introductory experiments on the Law of Inertia, developed for use in high school science classrooms. Each experiment focuses on practical applications of Newton's First Law, and is supplemented with full instructional guidelines, drawings/photos, and tips for teachers. Especially noteworthy are the links to lab safety guidelines written specifically for each lab experiment. Background information accompanies each experiment, as well.

This resource is part of a much larger collection of physics/astronomy experiments, sponsored by the UK's Institute of Physics and funded by the Nuffield Curriculum Centre.
SEE RELATED ITEMS BELOW for a link to the full collection.

https://spark.iop.org/collections/inertia-and-newtons-first-law

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Classical Mechanics - Newton's First Law General Physics - Curriculum	- High School - Middle School	- Instructional Material = Activity = Curriculum = Demonstration = Instructor Guide/Manual

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Educators - Learners	- text/html	Currently 3.0/5 Rated 3.0 stars by 2 people Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2004 The Nuffield Foundation
Additional information is available.
Keywords:: Law of Inertia, activities, balancing forces, curriculum, experiment, forces, hands-on, inertia, pendulum, practical physics
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created January 1, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: August 16, 2020 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: October 20, 2008
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Forces and Motion (PS2.A)

The motion of an object is determined by the sum of the forces acting on it; if the total force on the object is not zero, its motion will change. The greater the mass of the object, the greater the force needed to achieve the same change in motion. For any given object, a larger force causes a larger change in motion. (6-8)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Stability and Change (2-12)

Much of science deals with constructing explanations of how things change and how they remain stable. (9-12)

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems (1-12)

Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent. (9-12)
Scientific knowledge is based on the assumption that natural laws operate today as they did in the past and they will continue to do so in the future. (9-12)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. (9-12)
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution. (9-12)

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (K-12)

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories. (9-12)
- Construct an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students' own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future. (9-12)

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations (K-12)

Planning and carrying out investigations in 9-12 builds on K-8 experiences and progresses to include investigations that provide evidence for and test conceptual, mathematical, physical, and empirical models. (9-12)
- Plan and conduct an investigation individually and collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, and in the design: decide on types, how much, and accuracy of data needed to produce reliable measurements and consider limitations on the precision of the data (e.g., number of trials, cost, risk, time), and refine the design accordingly. (9-12)

NGSS Nature of Science Standards (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. (9-12)

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (K-12)

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories. (9-12)

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations (K-12)

Planning and carrying out investigations in 9-12 builds on K-8 experiences and progresses to include investigations that provide evidence for and test conceptual, mathematical, physical, and empirical models. (9-12)

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

1. The Nature of Science

1B. Scientific Inquiry

9-12: 1B/H4. There are different traditions in science about what is investigated and how, but they all share a commitment to the use of logical arguments based on empirical evidence.

2. The Nature of Mathematics

2B. Mathematics, Science, and Technology

9-12: 2B/H3. Mathematics provides a precise language to describe objects and events and the relationships among them. In addition, mathematics provides tools for solving problems, analyzing data, and making logical arguments.

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion

6-8: 4F/M3a. An unbalanced force acting on an object changes its speed or direction of motion, or both.
9-12: 4F/H8. Any object maintains a constant speed and direction of motion unless an unbalanced outside force acts on it.

9. The Mathematical World

9B. Symbolic Relationships

6-8: 9B/M3. Graphs can show a variety of possible relationships between two variables. As one variable increases uniformly, the other may do one of the following: increase or decrease steadily, increase or decrease faster and faster, get closer and closer to some limiting value, reach some intermediate maximum or minimum, alternately increase and decrease, increase or decrease in steps, or do something different from any of these.
9-12: 9B/H4. Tables, graphs, and symbols are alternative ways of representing data and relationships that can be translated from one to another.

12. Habits of Mind

12C. Manipulation and Observation

6-8: 12C/M5. Analyze simple mechanical devices and describe what the various parts are for; estimate what the effect of making a change in one part of a device would have on the device as a whole.

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Nuffield Curriculum Centre. Practical Physics: Inertia and Newton's First Law. October 20, 2008. https://spark.iop.org/collections/inertia-and-newtons-first-law (accessed 25 April 2024).

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Nuffield Curriculum Centre. Practical Physics: Inertia and Newton's First Law. 2004. 20 Oct. 2008. Nuffield Curriculum Centre. 25 Apr. 2024 <https://spark.iop.org/collections/inertia-and-newtons-first-law>.

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