Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion, with the same speed and in the same direction, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
To demonstrate Newton's First Law in a quick check for a Force and Motion portfolio, you can perform the following activities:
1. Pendulum Swing: Set up a pendulum using a string and a weight (such as a small ball or bob). Start the pendulum by pulling the weight to one side and releasing it. Observe the motion of the pendulum swing back and forth. Explain how the pendulum's motion is an example of Newton's First Law. The pendulum continues to swing back and forth until acted upon by friction or any other external force, demonstrating how an object in motion will stay in motion.
2. Balloon Car: Create a simple balloon-powered car by attaching a balloon to a small toy car. Blow up the balloon and then release it, allowing the air to escape and propel the car forward. Discuss how the car's motion is an example of Newton's First Law. The car moves forward until the air being released from the balloon creates enough force to overcome the car's inertia and friction acting against it.
3. Egg Drop: Design an experiment to drop a raw egg from a predetermined height without breaking it. Explain how the concept of inertia relates to Newton's First Law. The egg will continue to stay at rest until acted upon by the force of impact with the surface. By providing cushioning or increasing the amount of time it takes for the egg to come to a stop, you can reduce the force upon the egg, keeping it intact.
By including these activities and discussing how they demonstrate Newton's First Law, you can effectively showcase your understanding of the concept in your Force and Motion portfolio.
Newton's First Law Quick Check
Science 8 Q1 / Force and Motion portfolio
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