Physics 30 Newtons Laws of Motion

Subject: Physics 30
Unit:Kinematics and Dynamics
Topic:Newtons laws of motion
Objectives: Evergreen Curriculum
When a net force acts on an object, it accelerates in the direction of the net force. (Newton's second law)
The acceleration is directly proportional to the force for a constant mass:
The acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass if the force is constant:
If an object is accelerating there must be a net force acting on the object in the direction of the acceleration.
The relationship between the SI units for force and the corresponding fundamental units can be illustrated from Newton's second law.
(i.e., 1 N = 1 kg m/s2)

Website: Newtons Second Law

This website contains an applet that has a table of values for a force and mass. After selecting one of each it will calculate what the acceleration of the specific object will be. Through pattern recognition students will be able to conjecture the proportionality between the parameters or the formula F= MA.

I would use this applet as a set to a lesson when teaching Newton's second law of motion. Students would be able to experiment by using different values and begin to develop a conjecture through pattern recognition. I believe they might be able to remember the formula better and apply the formula the first time they see it. Instead of just having them copy down the formula. I believe experential learning has the greatest impact on someone's memory.