Motion in a straight line

In this lesson you will learn:

• to distinguish between distance and displacement
• to distinguish between speed and velocity
• understand acceleration
• interpret time-velocity graphs
• use equations of uniformly accelerated motion
• understand the concept of gravitational force

• Predict, qualitatively, how an external force will affect the speed and direction of an object's motion.
• Explain the effects with the help of a free body diagram.
• Use free body diagrams to draw position, velocity, acceleration and force graphs and vice versa.
• Explain how the graphs relate to one another.
• Given a scenario or a graph, sketch all four graphs.

• Identify when forces are balanced vs unbalanced.
• Determine the sum of forces (net force) on an object with more than one force on it.
• Predict the motion of an object with zero net force.
• Predict the direction of motion given a combination of forces.

• Describe a vector in your own words
• Explain a method to add vectors
• Compare and contrast the component styles
• Decompose a vector into components
• Describe what happens to a vector when it is multiplied by a scalar
• Arrange vectors graphically to represent vector addition or subtraction

• Determine how each parameter (initial height, initial angle, initial speed, mass, diameter, and altitude) affects the trajectory of an object, with and without air resistance.
• Predict how varying the initial conditions will affect a projectile’s path, and provide an explanation for the prediction.
• Estimate where an object will land, given its initial conditions.
• Determine that the x and y motion of a projectile are independent.
• Investigate the variables that affect the drag force.
• Describe the the effect that the drag force has on the velocity and acceleration.
• Discuss projectile motion using common vocabulary (such as: launch angle, initial speed, initial height, range, time).

Speed necessary for the space station to stay in orbit.

What is the acceleration due to gravity at the space station.

Why do astronauts appear weightless despite being near the Earth?

What would fall faster on the moon, a brick or a feather?

Explore the various forces acting on a block sitting on an inclined plane. Learn how to break the force of gravity into two components - one perpendicular to the ramp and one parallel to the ramp. Finally, using geometry and trigonometry, learn how to calculate the magnitude of each component of force that is acting on the block.