Coin Flick

WHY?

This phenomenon is explained by Newton's Third Law of motion which states that to every action there must be a reaction. When you flick the coin, it hits the first one (the action) and that coin then tries to move away from the first one (the reaction). But it can't move because it is prevented from doing so by the next coin in the line. So, the force of the impact is passed on to the next coin until it gets to the end of the line. At this point there is nothing preventing the last coin from moving, so it flies off.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

question_guy

four Student is able to communicate how Newton's Third Law of Motion affects the coins and what dynamic takes place when you flick the coin. The student can also think of another application of the Third Law of Newton in their everyday lives.

three Student is able to communicate most of the reasons how Newton's Third Law of Motion affects the coins and what dynamic takes place when the coin is flicked. The student can also think of another application of the Third Law of Newton in their everyday lives.

two Student is able to communicate some of the reasons how Newton's Third Law of Motion affects the coins and what dynamic takes place when the coin is flicked.

one Student is able to communicate one of the reasons how Newton's Third Law of Motion affects the coins and what dynamic takes place when the coin is flicked.

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Last modified: Wed Nov 26 10:51:07 PST 1997