Download Lesson 4- Amusement Parks

Unit Title / Amusement Parks
Lesson 4
Introduction:
While adding to their vocabulary list, students will be shown visuals and
examples of how force works. Homework will be handed out at the end of
the class.
Time Required:
Two Class Periods
Materials:
Visual 1 – The teacher would need an overhead transparency of pictures showing pushes
and pulls. This could be borrowed from P. F 35 in Science Anytime: Teachers Guide /
Grade 5 Published by Harcourt Brace.
Visual 2 – An overhead with the following questions:
What is force? A force can start an object moving, change the
direction and the rate of its motion, or change the shape of the object. A force is either a
push or Pull
Are there different kinds of forces? Yes. Some examples include balanced,
unbalanced, and applied.
What does balanced force mean? Balanced forces are equal forces that are
applied in opposite directions and result in no change of velocity.
What does unbalanced force mean? An unbalanced force is a force that is not
equal or opposite and results in no change in velocity.
What is gravity? Gravity is force that acts upon earth. It pushes items in a
downward motion so that we don’t fall off the earth.
Visual 3 – Mass vs. Weight / Who would win? Why?
Visual 4 – This is an overhead that lists all the definitions of the above terms.
Handout 1 – Science journal page
Handout 2 – Worksheet for class (time allowing) or homework asking for children to
explain how he/she used every one of these types of forces at some point during the day
at school.
Tell me your thoughts on mass vs. Weight. How are they connected? How are they
different?
Objective:
1) The purpose is to identify force, applied force, balanced force, unbalanced force,
mass, and weight.
Procedure:
1) Review one last time with the children the important terms from the lesson. Assign
the homework for the students which is to find one relative example other than the
two used in class that has potential, mechanical, and kinetic energy.
Potential energy is where on this diagram (put up diagram of roller costar)?
What does potential energy mean? Potential energy is the energy stored in an
object.
Where would we find kinetic energy? When a roller coaster descends, it has
kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the mechanical energy of a moving object.
How would we find mechanical energy? We would locate mechanical energy
in a moving roller coaster.
Where is that located on the diagram?
2) At this point, quickly slide in the definition of elastic potential energy for the students
to see.
How is potential energy different from elastic potential energy? Potential energy is
the energy that is stored in an object because of its position: elastic potential energy is the
energy that comes from an object that has been stretched, compressed, or bent and is
released when the object is returning to its original shape.
What characteristics do objects display that have elastic potential energy? Such
objects usually have the ability to compress, stretch, and/or bend.
1) Go over concepts from Visual 6. Have students write the definitions on their science
sheet. This is an extra so if the lesson does not make here, do not be worried.
What is gravitational potential energy? An object that has the ability
to fall.
What is elastic potential energy? Elastic potential energy is the energy that comes from
an object that has been stretched, compressed, or bent and is released when the object is
returning to its original shape.
How can you compare these things? Both are forms of potential energy that can be
converted to kinetic energy. Gravitational potential energy is the energy that an object
has because of the pull of gravity on it. Elastic potentials energy is the energy that is
stored in an object through compression, stretching, or bending.
Does a ball that is placed at the top of the stairs have gravitational potential energy?
Yes.
2) Show kids Visual 1. Ask the kids the following questions.
What does force mean? A force can start an object moving, change the
direction and the rate of its motion, or change the shape of the object. A force is either a
push or Pull
Who or what is applying a force? The horses are pulling the wagon, the
football player is making a tackle, and the cue ball is hitting the billiard balls.
How is the force being applied? Force is applied either by a push or a pull.
Which picture has the greatest force? The picture with the greatest force is the
horses pulling the wagon. The football player making the tackle is the next strongest.
Finally, the cue ball hitting the billiard balls.
3) Before allowing students a chance to answer, show them the definitions of their
options on visual 4.
Ask them to give you three different examples than the ones in the pictures of force in
their every day lives.
4) What is gravity? Gravity is force that acts upon earth. It pushes items in a downward
motion so that we don’t fall off the earth.
5) Mass vs. Weight
Divide class into four teams (two mass teams and two weight teams). The teams
will have ten minutes to prepare for a debate with an opposite group concerning why they
are more important. At the end of ten minutes, the debate will start between a mass
group and a weight group.
Which is more important? Why?
6) Debate occurs.
Closure
1) Review the concepts, terms, and give the homework assignment. Students will
receive handout # 2.
Is gravity a force? Yes.
Why? By definition, a force supplies energy to an object in a form of a push or a pull
and influences the movement of that object; gravity also has the ability to influence or
accelerate the movement of an object, so it is a force.
How is the force of gravity acting on an object related to the mass of that object?
The force of gravity varies according to mass. The force of gravity increases as the mass
of an object increases.
How is the force of gravity between two objects related to the distance between
those objects? The force of gravity varies according to distance. The force of gravity
increases as distances between objects decrease.
Are mass and weight the same thing? Explain. They are related, but different.
Weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object, while, mass is the
measure of the amount of matter in an object.