Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to observe and understand how objects move, relate changes in motion to push and pull forces, and investigate the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of specific forces.

Materials and Prep

Materials needed: - Various objects (e.g., toy cars, balls, blocks) - String or yarn - Pencils or sticks - Paper - Scissors - Tape

Prep: - Set up a safe and clear workspace for conducting experiments. - Ensure all materials are easily accessible.

Activities

1. Push and Pull Forces Exploration: Let's gather different objects and explore how they move when we push or pull them. Observe the direction and distance each object moves based on the force applied.

2. Investigating Contact Forces: Use string or yarn to create a simple pulley system. Experiment with changing the strength of the pull force and observe how it affects the motion of objects.

3. Non-Contact Forces Experiment: Create paper helicopters by cutting out shapes and attaching them to pencils or sticks. Drop them from different heights and observe how air resistance affects their motion.

Talking Points

• When we push an object, we apply a force that makes it move. Can you think of examples of objects that need a strong push to move?
• When we pull an object, we also apply a force that can change its direction. How do you think the force of a pull affects the motion of a heavy object compared to a light object?
• Have you ever noticed how a ball rolls differently on different surfaces? That's because the surface can create a force that affects the ball's motion.
• Imagine you are on a swing. When you swing back and forth, what forces do you feel acting on you? How does your movement change when someone pushes you?
• When we change the strength of a force, we can see how it affects the way objects move. Try pulling the string harder on the pulley system. What happens to the object being lifted?