Download Force and Motion Lab

Name: ___________________________________
Period: _____
Force and Motion Lab
Procedure:
This is a rotating station lab. You will have 6 minutes at each station. When the timer goes off move to the next
station in numerical order. For example, if you start at Station 5, your next rotation is to Station 6.
Station 1: Ball

Place the ball on the counter where the “X” is.
1. Is this an example of balanced or unbalanced force? Why?

GENTLY push the ball so that it goes across the counter to the taped line.
2. Is this movement an example of balanced or unbalanced force? Why?
Station 2: Car

With your lab partner, GENTLY push the car back and forth between the two of you.
1. What direction did the car travel? Explain why you think the car went on the path that it did (use
your force vocabulary words to explain).
2. Explain what makes the car stop. Would the car eventually stop on it’s own? How or why?
Station 3: Dominoes

Set up the dominoes in a row so that they will touch each other when they fall.
1. Describe how you plan to make the dominoes fall.
2. Knock the dominoes over. Was this an example of an unbalanced or balanced force?
3. Draw a diagram of your domino set-up below. Include arrows showing the direction of movement.
Science 8- Force and Motion
Station 4: Spring Scale

Make sure the spring scale is set to zero. Hook two spring scales together using the s-hook. One person
gently pull on the spring scale to read 2N (the other person stands there, holding their spring scale). Repeat steps for
4N and 8N.
1. Write down the Force in Newtons (N) for Spring Scale 2.
Force (N) Spring Scale 1:
Force (N) Spring Scale 2:
1. 2N
2. 4N
3. 8N
2. Why do you think the force for spring scale 2 was the same as spring scale 1?
Station 5: Work These Problems

Find the net force (include direction) for all 4 pictures below.
Net Force: __________
Net Force: __________
Net Force: __________
Net Force: __________
Direction: __________
Direction: __________
Direction: __________
Direction: __________
Station 6: Tug of War!
Tabitha
Zach
1. Tabitha and Zach are playing tug-of-war. If Zach pulls the rope to the right with a force of 800N and
Tabitha pulls the rope to the left with a force of 800N, what will happen to the flag in the middle of
the rope?
Science 8- Force and Motion