Laws of Motion Unit Part 3: Forces in Motion

Forces in Motion Unit: Interactive Lessons, Hands-On Activities & Assessments

This 8-lesson unit on Forces in Motion provides an engaging, hands-on exploration of kinetic and potential energy, Newton’s laws, acceleration, velocity, momentum, and work. The 18-page printable work bundle aligns with the interactive slideshow and includes critical note-taking, step-by-step problem-solving, hands-on experiments, quizzes, and real-world applications.

Students will analyze animations, conduct experiments, and solve physics-based word problems while reinforcing key physics concepts. A final quiz and activity-based assessments ensure students grasp essential physics principles. Editable slides and work bundles are easily converted to Google Slides and Google Docs for Google Classroom integration.

Key Features:

✔️ Structured Work Bundles – Students fill in notes, complete calculations, analyze visuals, and answer comprehension questions.
✔️ Interactive Learning – Animations, real-world physics experiments, and video demonstrations bring concepts to life.
✔️ Hands-On Activities .
✔️ Engaging Assessments – Quizzes, step-by-step word problems, and equation practice with guided solutions.
✔️ Editable & Google Classroom-Ready – Customizable digital resources for flexible lesson planning.

Lesson Highlights & Topics Covered

⚙️ Understanding Energy & Newton’s Laws

✔️ First Law of Thermodynamics – Introduction through unfolding animations
✔️ Potential Energy (PE = mgh) – Defined with animations (falling monkey, pole vaulter)
✔️ Kinetic Energy (KE = ½ m v²) – Step-by-step breakdown with practice problems
✔️ Energy Calculation Problems – Step-by-step solutions provided for clarity

🔬 Hands-On Physics Experiments
✔️ Battery & Ramp Experiment – Explore how mass, height, and impact force affect motion
✔️ Centripetal Force Demonstration – Water-in-a-cup spinning trick & real-world video analysis

🏎️ Motion, Velocity & Acceleration

✔️ Speed (D/T) & Velocity – Real-world problem-solving exercises
✔️ Acceleration & Deceleration – Road race prediction challenge
✔️ Momentum Calculation – Interactive slides with step-by-step problem breakdown

🔩 Work, Forces & Real-World Physics

✔️ Force (F=MA) – Word problems & NASA/ESA video links from the ISS
✔️ Bob the Builder & Work Equation (W=Fd) – Fun and engaging physics connections
✔️ Final Hot Wheels Track Activity – Students calculate velocity, acceleration, and momentum through hands-on testing

🎯 Interactive Review & Final Assessment

✔️ Step-by-step word problem breakdowns – Reinforce equation solving
✔️ Interactive quiz with guided answers – Mimics the Hot Wheels physics experiment
✔️ Engaging visuals, animations, and challenge questions – Ensuring student engagement and comprehension

This Forces in Motion Unit is perfect for middle and high school physics classrooms, offering NGSS-aligned, interactive instruction that blends theory, hands-on activities, and real-world applications. With Google Classroom-compatible resources, step-by-step quizzes, engaging visuals, and structured lesson plans, this unit ensures students gain a solid understanding of kinetic and potential energy, motion, and Newton’s laws.

Ideal for physical science, physics, and STEM curricula, this unit makes complex concepts accessible, engaging, and practical for students.