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Description
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This activity utilizes the PhET Forces & Motion simulation to have students collect data in two experiments:
Experiment #1 is to determine the relationship between acceleration and net force.
Experiment #2 is to determine the relationship between acceleration and mass.
Through teacher-guided post lab discussion these results are combined into a single relationship among acceleration, force, and mass which we know as Newton's 2nd Law. It is designed in a format similar to Physics Modeling paradigm labs, but can be used where equipment may not be available. It is also more efficient than using physical equipment, allowing data collection and analysis to proceed faster.
Graphing software helps the analysis, but graphing by hand can yield similar results.
For more information about Physics Modeling, please visit modelinginstruction.org |
