Toys in Motion

TOPIC: Principles of Flight: Newton's Second Law of Motion
LEVEL: Beginner

"Toys in Motion"

[information | preparation | activity ]

SCIENCE CONCEPT:: Motion is a form of energy produced by unbalanced forces. It is the act of changing place or position.
STUDENT OBJECTIVE:: The student will be able to observe motion in a variety of toys.
OVERVIEW:: The students will explore motion in a variety of objects.
TEACHER TEXT:: Motion section: Fundamentals of Flight

PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes

LESSON TIME: 30 minutes

TEACHER PREP:

gather materials

WORDS TO KNOW:

motion
movement
acceleration

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Balloons balls (different sizes)
top
Newton's Yo-Yo
an unbalanced ball ( with sand on one side )
a paddle ball
wind-up toy car

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Set up a station for each different object.

2. Have the children divided into groups and have them explore each object. They should observe the motion closely and ask questions about the motion.

3. Record by drawing what they observe.

WHY?

The objects demonstrate different forms of motion.

The balloons when released show equal and opposite reaction. The air goes one way and the balloon the other.
Balls when dropped or thrown, show the pull of gravity downward.
Newton's yo-yo shows equal and opposite. The first ball stops when it hits the second, which bangs the third, transferring the motion, making it move away from the first.
This ball will not travel in a straight line of motion.
A top exhibits circular motion.
A wind up toy that flips over or changes direction, does not exhibit straight line motion.
The paddle ball goes different directions depending upon the direction of the force applied.
A toy car can be made to accelerate fast or slow, depending upon the amount of force applied.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

EXTENSIONS:: 1. Have children bring in toys that demonstrate different movements.; 2. Go out on the playground and find different kinds of movement (swing, slide, merry go round, etc.)