Lesson Seven: Newton's Second Law of Motion
More simply stated, Pushing or pulling an object produces acceleration, a change in the speed of motion. The acceleration of an object can be slowed or increased. The heavier the object, the more force it takes to make that object speed up or slow down. It takes more strength to push a shopping cart filled with cans than an empty shopping cart. As you can see below, it takes more force to move a large rock than a small one.
Take a look at the following website. It provides further explanation of Newton’s Second Law and gives picture representations of exactly how this law works.
Let’s take a look at some examples of everyday applications of Newton’s First Law. This may help you better understand how this applies to the world around you.
Examples:
Examples:
1. It takes less force to move a DVD than a DVD player.
2. You have to push a large ball harder to get it to move as fast as a small one made of the same material.
3. The more force you with which you kick a ball, the farther the ball will travel.
4. A twelve pound bowling ball goes faster down the lane than a fifteen pound bowling ball.
5. If you push a large, heavy box and a small, lighter box with the same force, the small box will go faster.
6. A football thrown with more force goes faster than the same football thrown with less force.
2. You have to push a large ball harder to get it to move as fast as a small one made of the same material.
3. The more force you with which you kick a ball, the farther the ball will travel.
4. A twelve pound bowling ball goes faster down the lane than a fifteen pound bowling ball.
5. If you push a large, heavy box and a small, lighter box with the same force, the small box will go faster.
6. A football thrown with more force goes faster than the same football thrown with less force.
Feeling like a challenge? Below are several video clips that explain the science AND math behind Newton’s second law. Keep in mind, this is just for fun and you will not be held responsible for the formulas present here.
Let’s think about it…
Based on what you’ve learned thus far regarding the laws of motion, why might small children be barred from riding certain rides at an amusement park? Record your response in your science journal. Be sure to include the reasoning of Newton’s Laws and vocabulary from this chapter in your answer.