Newton's Second Law: Force and Acceleration (Part 3)

What You'll Learn

Newton's second law says that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). A heavier object needs more force to accelerate at the same rate as a lighter one.

Key Words

gravity
friction

Materials Needed

weights
tape
ruler

Safety First

Handle glass items carefully to avoid breakage.
Do not mix unknown chemicals together.
Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 — Do

Test friction: pull a weighted box across 4 surfaces (carpet, tile, sandpaper, foil). Use a spring scale to measure the force needed for each.

Step 3 — Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 — Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What unit is force measured in?