Download Chapter 2: Laws of Motion

Physics A First Course
Forces and Motion
Chapter 2
Forces and Motion
Laws of Motion
 2.1
Newton's First Law
 2.2 Acceleration
and Newton's Second Law
 2.3
Gravity and Free Fall
 2.4
Graphs of Motion
2A Investigation: Law of Inertia
Key Question:
Why are heavier objects harder
to start or stop moving?
*Students read text section 2.1
AFTER Investigation 2A
2A Investigation Topics

Launch cars of different mass.

Measure time intervals.

Calculate speed based on measured time intervals.

Graph speed vs. mass.

Research and define terms: inertia, weight and mass.
Chapter 2.1 Objectives and Vocabulary

Recognize that force is needed
to change an object's motion.

Explain Newton's first law.

Describe how inertia and mass
are related.





force
Newton's first law
inertia
newton
net force
2B Investigation: Newton's Second Law
Key Questions:
What is force?
What is the relationship between
force and motion?
*Students read text section 2.2
AFTER Investigation 2B
2B Investigation Topics

Measure time intervals of car moving along track.
 Calculate and compare speeds of car at different
points on track.
 Evaluate forces acting on car.
 Calculate acceleration of car.
 Use Newton's second law to calculate the force.

Graph force vs. time for the car on the track.
 Explain how speed and acceleration are different
using graphs.
Chapter 2.2 Objectives and Vocabulary
Define and calculate
acceleration.
 Explain the relationship
between force, mass, and
acceleration.
 Determine mass, acceleration
and force given two of the
quantities.

acceleration
 deceleration
 Newton's
second law

Chapter 2.3 Objectives and Vocabulary

Describe the motion of an
object in free fall.

Calculate the speed and
distance for an object in free
fall.

Distinguish between mass and
weight.

Explain how air resistance
affects the motion of objects.
free fall
 acceleration
due to gravity
 velocity
 weight
 air resistance
 terminal speed

Chapter 2.4 Objectives and Vocabulary

Describe motion with position
versus time and speed versus
time graphs.

Use a position versus time
graph to calculate speed from
the slope.

Use a speed versus time graph
to calculate acceleration and
distance traveled.

slope