Newton's Third Law: Action and Reaction

What You'll Learn

Newton's third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you push against a wall, the wall pushes back on you with the same force.

Key Words

friction
inertia
speed

Materials Needed

ramps
string
weights
tape
ruler
cardboard

Safety First

Adult supervision recommended.
Do not taste any materials.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read the introduction and identify the main idea of this lesson.

Step 2 — Do

Build an electromagnet by wrapping insulated wire around a nail and connecting it to a battery. Test how many paper clips it can pick up. Try adding more wire coils.

Step 3 — Observe

Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.

Step 4 — Record

Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is gravity?