Lesson 33 of 84 · Energy
Experiment⭐ 30 XP⚡ Spark LabNewton's Second Law: Force and Acceleration (Part 2)
Newton's Second Law: Force and Acceleration (Part 2).
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Speed isn't the same as force. Don't mix them up.
Mind = Blown
⚡ Static electricity is the same physics as lightning, just smaller.
Make a hypothesis first
Guess: where does the energy go?
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
- ruler
- cardboard
- marbles
Safety First
- Handle glass items carefully to avoid breakage.
- Do not mix unknown chemicals together.
Steps
Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.
Test friction: pull a weighted box across 4 surfaces (carpet, tile, sandpaper, foil). Use a spring scale to measure the force needed for each.
Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.
Create a data table to organize your measurements.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What unit is force measured in?
Where you see this in real life
You use this every time you flip a light switch, ride a bike, or kick a ball.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Time how long a small ball rolls down something, then change the slope and try again.
For the dinner table
“Show me something at home that uses this kind of energy.”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
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Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
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