This lesson is an inquiry-based lab activity for high school physics students to design and conduct experiments involving force, mass, and acceleration.
The students will be directed to use what they know about forces and motion, causal relationships, and the importance of scales, proportions, and quantity in science to design and carry out an investigation that will allow them to determine the mathematical relationship among the net force acting on an object, its mass, and its acceleration.
The guiding question of this investigation is, What is the mathematical relationship among the net force exerted on an object, the object’s inertial mass, and its acceleration?
The following items are needed for this experiment:
- LabQuest 3
- Vernier Dynamics track with Motion encoder, Motion encoder cart (green), Plunger cart (grey), Weights, and a Pulley attachment.
- The weight set and rope can be purchased at flinnscientific.com
The Vernier Dynamics website has videos and lessons that can be used with the cart and track. The teacher would need to familiarize themselves with the system in order to teach the students how to use the carts and track the data. Attached are the lab assignment and experiment worksheet for the students.
If funds are needed to acquire the supplies for this activity, consider applying for a STEM Action Center Classroom Grant.