Science · Grades 3-5 · 50 minutes
Investigating balanced and unbalanced forces
Students push and pull toy carts with different amounts of force from different directions, record what happens to each cart's motion, and identify when the forces on it are balanced or unbalanced.
Students will be able to
- Plan and carry out an investigation testing how force strength and direction affect motion.
- Explain the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces using evidence from the investigation.
Standards
- Aligned to 3-PS2-1 — Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
Source
Original lesson. Original lesson and investigation recording sheet written for this site.