PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion

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published by the Physics Education Technology Project

This interactive simulation provides four components for exploring balanced and unbalanced forces. In the introductory activity, users choose from among 5 objects of different masses, set the surface with or without friction, then "push" the object along a straight line. The simulation displays force vectors and free body diagrams to match the motion. Record your "push" and replay to see the sum of forces. The second activity focuses on the role of friction when objects are pushed on a wood surface. Set your own gravitational constant and watch the effects on static and kinetic friction. The third activity lets users display simultaneous graphs of applied force, acceleration, velocity, and position. The final activity, "Robot Moving Company", is a game where users apply a force to deliver objects of different mass from one point to another.

Editor's Note: This simulation may be adapted to a broad range of student capabilities. See Related Materials for links to guided explorations for middle school and high school, created by PhET teacher-fellows.

This resource is part of PhET, the Physics Education Technology Project, a collection of simulation-based learning objects developed for learners of physics, chemistry, math, earth science, and biology.

Please note that this resource requires Java Applet Plug-in.

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Classical Mechanics - Applications of Newton's Laws = Friction - Motion in One Dimension = Acceleration = Position & Displacement = Velocity - Newton's Second Law = Interacting Objects - Newton's Third Law = Action/Reaction - Statics of Rigid Bodies = Resolution of Forces	- High School - Middle School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Activity = Interactive Simulation

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Learner
Educator
Format:: application/java
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2010 University of Colorado at Boulder
Additional information is available.
Keywords:: Newton's 2nd Law, Newton's 3rd Law, acceleration graph, force interactions, force pairs, forces, free body diagram, net force, position graph, velocity graph
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created September 27, 2011 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: September 27, 2011 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: August 15, 2011

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4E. Energy Transformations

6-8: 4E/M2. Energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways: 1) thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one; 2) mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance; 3) electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or 4) by electromagnetic waves.

4F. Motion

3-5: 4F/E1a. Changes in speed or direction of motion are caused by forces.
3-5: 4F/E1bc. The greater the force is, the greater the change in motion will be. The more massive an object is, the less effect a given force will have.
6-8: 4F/M3a. An unbalanced force acting on an object changes its speed or direction of motion, or both.
9-12: 4F/H1. The change in motion (direction or speed) of an object is proportional to the applied force and inversely proportional to the mass.
9-12: 4F/H4. Whenever one thing exerts a force on another, an equal amount of force is exerted back on it.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

6-8: 11B/M4. Simulations are often useful in modeling events and processes.

This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.

Topic: Dynamics: Forces and Motion
Unit Title: Newton's Second Law & Net Force

This wonderfully updated version of the PhET Forces simulation lets students explore force interactions, motion graphs, and friction at a broad range of levels. Choose from 5 objects of different masses, select a wood or ice surface, then "push" the object on a straight path. You can display force vectors, free body diagrams, and graphs of position, acceleration, and velocity vs. time. Record your "push" and play it back to see the sum of forces. For more advanced students: set gravitation to mimic the Moon or Jupiter and watch the effects on static and kinetic friction!

Link to Unit:

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Record Link

<a href="http://www.thephysicsfront.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=11483">Physics Education Technology Project. PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, August 15, 2011.</a>

AIP Format

PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion (Physics Education Technology Project, Boulder, 2010), WWW Document, (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion).

AJP/PRST-PER

PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion (Physics Education Technology Project, Boulder, 2010), <http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion>.

APA Format

PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion. (2011, August 15). Retrieved May 19, 2013, from Physics Education Technology Project: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion

Chicago Format

Physics Education Technology Project. PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, August 15, 2011. http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion (accessed 19 May 2013).

MLA Format

PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, 2010. 15 Aug. 2011. 19 May 2013 <http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion}, Publisher = {Physics Education Technology Project}, Volume = {2013}, Number = {19 May 2013}, Month = {August 15, 2011}, Year = {2010} }

Refer Export Format

%T PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion
%D August 15, 2011
%I Physics Education Technology Project
%C Boulder
%U http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion
%O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source
%D August 15, 2011
%T PhET Simulation: Forces and Motion
%I Physics Education Technology Project
%V 2013
%N 19 May 2013
%8 August 15, 2011
%9 application/java
%U http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion

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