Alignment with KY Program of Studies:     Forces (Dynamics)

By the time you finish all labs, worksheets and related activities, you should be able to:

1. Use Newton's 2nd Law to qualitatively describe the relationship between m and a, F and a, m and F. (e.g., if you double the mass, the acceleration will…)

2. Given a v vs t graph, draw the corresponding a vs t and F vs t graphs.

3. Determine the net force acting on an object by:

a. drawing a force diagram for an object given a written description of the forces acting on it.

b. resolving forces into x and y components, then finding the vector sum of the forces.

c. analysis of the kinematic behavior of the object.

4. Solve quantitative problems involving forces, mass and acceleration using Newton's 2nd Law.

a. Having determined the net force (as in #3), and given the mass, find the acceleration.

b. Continue to use the kinematical models from unit III to determine the velocity or displacement of the object, once the acceleration is known.

5.  Understand the meaning of the coefficient of kinetic friction and static frictions and utilize the equation: 

friction = coef. of friction * Normal force

Core Content:

Laws of motion. Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied. Laws of motion are used to predict and/or calculate the effects of forces on the motion of objects.