Force+and+Direction+(3rd+Grade)

by Chris Pugh

=Standards=
 * Science GLE 0307.11.1** Explore how the direction of a moving object is affected by unbalanced forces.


 * ISTE NETS** **1.** **Creativity and Innovation** **c**. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.

=Lesson= TSW...
 * 1) Open Firefox browser, type "phet.colorado.edu" into the address bar, and then press the RETURN/ENTER key.
 * 2) Click on PLAY WITH SIMS...> button, then the PHYSICS link and then the MOTION link on the left side.
 * 3) Click on the FORCES IN 1 DIMENSION simulation, then the RUN NOW button. It will take several minutes to load. During that time, the teacher will share and discuss what is going on in the video called "Norah Learns Newton's First Law of Motion" from the following link from Vimeo, [] . media type="custom" key="4989401"
 * 4) Once loaded, the students will need some explanation about the different forces at work in the simulation. The blue arrow shows the amount of force the stunt man is using to move the object. The red arrow shows the amount of force that friction is using to hold the object in place. Once the object starts moving because the applied force unbalances the friction force, a green arrow will appear to show the total force of the moving object.
 * 5) The students will move and observe the 200 kg filing cabinet.
 * 6) Click CLEAR to restart, then click the GRAPH THE APPLIED FORCE button to see a the simulation graph the 3 force amounts in real-time as they move the 200 kg filing cabinet again. They will then read the estimated number for the blue line when the green first spiked to find the amount of force it took to make the object move.)
 * 7) Guess what will happen and how much force is needed to move the 10kg textbook, then repeat step 6 with the textbook from the right.
 * 8) Guess what will happen and how much force is needed to move the 25kg sleeping dog, then repeat step 6 with the sleeping dog from the right.
 * 9) Record their observations in a science journal.