Sydney Technical High School Science Program

TOPIC 2 :

10 - IN GRAVITY'S GRIP

YEAR 2010-2012

Teaching Weeks : 7 Term 1 Week 10 to Term 2 Week 6

CONTEXT : Gravity is a force that attracts every object in the universe. An object resting on a desk is pulled down by gravity; a ball thrown upwards soon returns as gravity's grip drags it back to Earth. Gravity is a field force. Other forces are contact forces. In all cases a net force leads to accelerated motion. Isaac Newton made the most significant contribution to our understanding of forces and motion including motion in space. In this unit we examine the nature of motion and the forces that cause changes in motion.

PRESCRIBED FOCUS AREAS : 5.2 Nature and Practice of Science DOMAIN (KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING): 5.6.2 Newton's Laws of motion 5.6.6 Gravitational force DOMAIN (SKILLS):

5.13 Identifies a problem and independently produces an appropriate investigation plan 5.14 Undertakes first-hand investigations independently with safety and competence 5.15 Gathers first-hand data accurately 5.16 Accesses information from a wide variety of secondary sources. 5.17 Explains trends, patterns and relationships in data and/or information from a variety of sources 5.18 Selects and uses appropriate forms of communication to present information to an audience 5.19 Uses critical thinking skills in evaluating information and drawing conclusions

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(A) ESSENTIAL CONTENT

Syllabus Outcomes 5.6.2b Students explain qualitatively the relationship between distance, speed and time. 6.6.2d Students analyse qualitatively common situations involving motion in terms of Newtons Laws 5.2c PFA Students apply scientific processes to test the validity of ideas and theories 5.13.1c Students identify what type of information or data need to be collected. 5.13.1d Students justify why particular types of data or information are to be collected. 5.13.1e Students identify the appropriate units to be used in collecting data. 5.13.1f Students recommend the use of an appropriate technology or strategy for collecting data or gathering information. 5.13.3c Students describe ways to reduce the risk to themselves and others when working in the laboratory or field. 5.14b Students use time and resources effectively. 5.15a Students make and record observations and measurements accurately over a number of trials Learning Experiences On the Move 1. Students conduct a traffic survey along Forest Road (from inside the fence). They tally the number of vehicles each ten minutes over a 30-minute period travelling east and west. Determine average traffic speeds by timing vehicles over a known distance. Students analyse the results in terms of traffic flow rates and the average speeds in relation to the time of day, volume of traffic and traffic signal cycles. 2. Focus- Nature and practice of science Students experimentally investigate a variety of different motion examples including motion at constant speed and accelerated motion (eg students walking; motion of trolley carts etc) using ticker timers and/or motion sensors/data loggers. Students establish the relationship between average speed, distance and time. Students write a brief report describing at least one of these investigations. 3. Students use text, diagrammatic and graphical data to summarise information and to analyse examples of constant speed and accelerated motion. Reinforce these concepts by analysing a video (Video 79 - Physics of Motion) on various types of motion. Solve numerical problems using the formulas: average speed = distance/time (v=s/t) v = u + at 4. Students describe and analyse examples of Newton's First law (Law of Inertia) . Reinforce these concepts by viewing, discussing and summarizing a video on inertia (Video 86 -Inertia, Mass, Speed and Acceleration). Resources Science Tracks 10 Video 79 Physics of Motion Video 86 Inertia 1. School activity (p99) 2. ST10 p 7882 3. ST 10 p 9697 4. ST10 p84

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COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND PROBLEM SOLVING TEST Knowledge 25 marks Skills 25 marks 5.6.2a Students describe qualitatively the relationship between force, mass and acceleration. 5.6.2c Students relate qualitatively acceleration to a change in speed and/or direction as a result of net force 5.14a Students follow the planned procedure when performing an investigation Force and Motion 5. Students work in teams to experimentally investigate the relationship between friction and acceleration of an object sliding down smooth and rough inclined planes. Students analyse the results graphically and draw appropriate and valid conclusions. 6. QTP: Connectedness Students gather, analyse and summarise textual information concerning the importance of frictional forces in our daily life and use Newton's second law to describe the relationship between net force, mass and acceleration. Students apply Newton's Second Law (F=ma) to a range of examples and situations. Launching into space 7. Students analyse textual information or data collected using the Internet to explain the concept of gravitational attraction (weight) and relate this force to the mass of the bodies Students analyse tabulated or diagrammatic information concerning the variation of gravity on the moon and other solar system planets.

Due Term 2 Weeks 3/4

Video 188 High speed car crashes 5. ST10 p 87 6. ST10 p 88

6.6.2d Students analyse qualitatively common situations involving motion in terms of Newtons Laws. 5.6.6a Students distinguish between the terms mass and weight 5.16d Students summarise information from identified oral and written secondary sources.

Video 19 Gravity Video 85 Space Education Video W2 Space Shuttle

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5.17g Students apply mathematical concepts and computer based technologies to assist analysis of data and information. 5.18d Students use symbols to express relationships, including mathematical ones, and appropriate units for physical quantities. 5.19g Students use cause and effect relationships to explain ideas.

8. Students distinguish between the terms weight and mass and analyse numerical examples by applying the equation W = mg . Students analyse examples of weight variation on Earth and other planets and apparent weightlessness in earth orbit. Reinforce these concepts by viewing and discussing a video on gravity. (Video 19- Gravity) 9. Use video footage of the flight of the Space Shuttle and other rockets to demonstrate Newton's Third Law of action and reaction. (Video 85 Space Education; Video W2 Space Shuttle). Reinforce these concepts using textual information to summarise information on rockets and the Space Shuttle.

7/8 ST10 p 101-102

9. ST10 p 103-104

(B) Gifted and Talented EXTENSION

Syllabus Outcomes 5.13.3c Students describe ways to reduce the risk to themselves and others when working in the laboratory or field. 5.19c Students predict outcomes and generate plausible explanations directly related to observations made Learning Experiences Students undertake a practical investigation of the action and reaction forces involving toy rockets and they use their observations to make conclusions about the variables that influence range and height of the rockets. Resources ST10 p 113115

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Resources Texts:

1. Science Tracks 10. Chapter 2 2. Science in Perspective. Book 4. Chapter 3. 3. Science World 10. Chapters 5 and 6 4. Discovering Science Book 4. Chapter 3. 5. World of Science. Book 4. Chapter 3

Videos:

Video 37 Jet Propulsion Video 52 Collisions Video 79 Physics of Motion ; Video 86 Inertia / mass/ speed/ Acceleration Video 19 Gravity Video 85 Space Education Video E Navigating in Space Video B2 More Car Crashes RTA Video- Car Crashes Video E Inertia/Falling Bodies

Useful Internet Sites:

1. Inclined plane/ friction applet: http://home.a-city.de/walter.fendt/physengl/inclplane.htm ; http://library.thinkquest.org/27948/newton.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=1109 2. Gravity simulator: http://arachnoid.com/gravitation/ 3. Animations of Newton's Laws : http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/newtlaws/u2l1a.html 4. Acceleration : http://library.thinkquest.org/27948/accel.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=1109