This lesson will quickly review Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws of Motion, gravity, force and inertia, mass and acceleration. It will then move into introducing Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion while learning about action and reaction. (Appropriate for grade levels 4-8 with extension activities that teachers can use after the lesson is completed.)
Science Standards:
4.PS.2: Energy can be transferred from one location to another or can be transformed from one form to another
5.PS.1: The amount of change in movement of an object is based on the mass of the object and the amount of force exerted
6.PS.4: An object’s motion can be described by its speed and the direction it is moving
7.PS.3: Energy can be transformed or transferred, but is never lost
7.PS.4: Energy can be transferred through a variety of ways
8.PS.2: Forces can act to change the motion of objects
STEM Emerging Technology Connections:
Hypersonics: This lesson on Newton's Third Law of Motion is particularly relevant to the DoD's "Hypersonics" area. The principle of action-reaction is fundamental to jet and rocket propulsion, including hypersonic systems. The hands-on activities, like building "rocket racers," demonstrate this principle in action and relate to the challenges of designing and controlling hypersonic vehicles.