Newton’s Laws: A Webquest Exploration

Names:

Newton’s Laws: A Webquest Exploration

Task 1
1. Define mass:

2. Define weight:

3. How are mass and weight related?

4. Fill in the data table below

Planet / Moon Weight (lbs) Planet / Moon Weight (lbs)
Mercury Jupiter
Venus Saturn
Earth Uranus
Moon Neptune
Mars Pluto

5. Draw a line graph of your weights from the data table above. Be sure to appropriately label and scale
your graph and give it a title.

6. Why is your weight different at the different locations? Your mass has not changed, has it? Please
explain…

7. Define gravity:
8. What two factors affect / determine the amount of gravity an object has?

9. What did Galileo do to experiment with gravity?

10. What happens when two objects of different masses are dropped in a vacuum? Why?

11. What happens to objects in space as they get closer to each other?

12. When there are multiple “space” bodies, which one(s) does the moving object tend to gravitate towards?
Why?

Task 2
13. What does Newton’s 1st Law state?

14. What is the property of “inertia”?

15. How specifically is inertia demonstrated in an automobile with rapid acceleration from a stop?

16. How specifically is inertia demonstrated in an automobile that’s moving & then comes to a sudden
stop?

17. Give at least 2 real-world examples of Newton’s 1st Law of Motion. (Ex’s must come from website
“Real-World Examples of First Law).

Task 3
18. What does Newton’s 2nd Law state?

19. In the equation F=ma, identify what the variables represent.

F= m= a=

20. In the “force, mass, and acceleration” simulation, click on “run now”. Select the “refrigerator” as the
object to move. Enter an applied force in the box and press “go.” Once the refrigerator starts moving,
click on graph force.

a. Applied force = ___________ b. Friction force = ___________ c. Net force = _________

21. Choose another object to push across the floor using the same simulation. Object chosen ____________

a. Applied force = ___________ b. Friction force = ___________ c. Net force = _________

22. How is Newton’s 2nd Law demonstrated in the above simulation? (Be sure to discuss F, m, and a).

Task 4
23. What does Newton’s 3rd Law state?

24. How is Newton’s 3rd law demonstrated when a rocket is launched?

25. Why do rockets work in space when there are so few molecules to push against?

26. Can you list another reason why rockets work so well in space besides that the exhaust pushing away
surrounding air? (Hint: What kind of media is the rocket traveling in?)

27. How many forces are present on an apple hanging from a branch in a tree? List all of them.

28. Are the forces on the apple balanced or unbalanced? Explain how you made your choice.

29. What must happen for the apple to fall from the tree?

30. Which direction does a cannon move in comparison to its fired cannonball? Why?
31. What do you think would happen to the cannon if you increased the mass of the cannonball fired?

Why?
32. How does the cannon scenario relate to Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws? Explain.