Search Resources

Applying Newton's first law to answer some true/false statements about why objects move (or not).

The amount of effort saved when using machines is called mechanical advantage (MA). Simple machines use mechanical advantage as a key property to their functionality, helping humans perform tasks that would require more force than a person could produce. We will use the lever as an example of a simple machine to illustrate the concept of mechanical advantage.

Figuring out the acceleration of ice down a plane made of ice.

In this unit we will learn how these factors can affect the output of a simple machine. We will also learn about the difference between ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) and actual mechanical advantage (AMA), and how to apply your knowledge to calculate the efficiency of various simple machines.

An elaboration on how to use Newton's second law when dealing with multiple forces, forces in two dimensions, and diagonal forces.

An elaboration on some of the common misconceptions in dealing with Newton's Third Law. He also shows how to correctly and reliably identify Third Law force pairs.

Basic primer on Newton's First Law of motion.

Newton's Laws of Motion

Newton's second law of motion is F = ma, or force is equal to mass times acceleration. Learn how to use the formula to calculate acceleration.

Learn about Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Look at multiple examples that illustrate this law, including pushing a block on ice, pushing against a desk, walking on sand, how rockets work, and how an astronaut could save themselves from drifting in space.