Forces and Motion
27 short narrated lessons in 5 chapters, each with pictures, a quiz with a hint and a second try, and an explanation for every answer.
Standards: MS-PS2-2 MS-PS2-1 MS-PS2-3 MS-PS2-4 MS-PS2-5
What your child will learn
Describing motion
- Position and Reference PointsDescribe motion using a reference point.
- Speed and VelocityCalculate speed and explain how velocity includes direction.
- AccelerationExplain acceleration as a change in velocity.
- Reading Motion GraphsInterpret distance-time graphs to describe motion.
- Describing Motion: Chapter Review ReviewReview how speed, velocity and acceleration describe motion.
Newton's laws
- Forces and Net ForceExplain how balanced and unbalanced forces combine into a net force.
- Newton's First LawExplain inertia and how objects keep moving unless a force acts.
- Newton's Second LawExplain how force, mass and acceleration are related.
- Newton's Third LawExplain that forces come in equal and opposite pairs.
- Designing for CollisionsApply Newton's third law to design a way to protect an object in a collision.
- Newton's Laws Review ReviewReview how Newton's laws explain the motion of objects.
Electric and magnetic forces
- Electric ChargesExplain how like charges repel and opposite charges attract.
- Magnets and Their PolesDescribe magnetic poles and how magnets attract and repel.
- ElectromagnetsExplain how an electric current can make a magnet.
- Changing the StrengthInvestigate factors that change the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
- Electric and Magnetic Forces Review ReviewReview the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
Gravity
- Gravity Is AttractionExplain that gravity is always an attractive force between masses.
- Mass and DistanceExplain how mass and distance affect the strength of gravity.
- Weight Versus MassDistinguish between mass and weight.
- Gravity in OrbitsUse evidence to argue that gravity keeps moons and planets in orbit.
- Gravity Review ReviewReview evidence that gravity depends on the masses of objects.
Fields
- Forces at a DistanceExplain that some forces act without objects touching.
- Magnetic FieldsMap a magnetic field using compasses or iron filings.
- Electric FieldsDescribe the electric field around a charged object.
- Earth's Magnetic FieldExplain how Earth acts like a giant magnet.
- Fields Review ReviewReview evidence that fields exist between objects that interact without touching.
- Unit 3 Test: Forces and MotionShow what you learned in the whole unit (Describing motion, Newton's laws, Electric and magnetic forces, Gravity, Fields) by answering mixed questions.
Try a question from this unit
From the lesson “Position and Reference Points”
A hiker says, 'The campsite is 2 kilometers north of the ranger station.' In this description, what is the ranger station?
Show the answer
the reference point. The ranger station is the fixed place the hiker measures from, so it is the reference point. The campsite's position is the whole phrase '2 kilometers north of the ranger station', because a position needs both a distance and a direction.
Hint kids see after a wrong try: “Ask yourself which place the hiker is measuring from.”
Key words
- reference point
- position
- speed
- velocity
- acceleration
- distance-time graph
- force
- net force
- balanced
- inertia
- mass
- action
- reaction
- collision
- design
- charge
- static electricity
- magnet
- pole
- electromagnet
- current
- variable
- strength
- gravity
Try these lessons in Kids Shelf
Narrated lessons, pictures and quizzes for every grade from K to 8. Works offline.
