TITLE FORCES LESSON Worksheet

TYPE
OBJECTIVE (S): Students will identify Newton’s 3 laws, explain various types of forces, construct a
free body diagram, then read and analyze an article about force.
SUBJECT (S): Math, Physics, AP Physics

GRADE (S): 9, 10, 11, 12 TIME 1 class day

ASSESSMENT(S) & GRADING/RUBRIC

Students can be graded from completion of activity, AND/OR accuracy of information or follow up formal
assessment/quiz.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES/PROCEDURES/GROUPING:

This worksheet can be given as an introduction to forces. The last part of the worksheet requires that they
read some sort of article about forces. Text books often have interesting reading material or you can bring
in magazines or newspaper articles with current events focused on forces related to physics.

Often times students struggle with how to generate questions after reading. I encourage them to think
about

TEXTS/MATERIALS/TECHNOLOGY/AUDIO-VIDEO/OTHER RESOURCES:

Article to read concerning forces

SAFETY/SECURITY ISSUES:

n/a

NOTES/REFLECTIONS:
NAME ________________________________________ Date: ___________________

FORCES
1. Define Force:

2. In terms of mass and acceleration, what is the equation for force?

3. What are the units for force?

4. Identify Newton’s First Law:

5. Identify Newton’s Second Law:

6. Identify Newton’s Third Law:

7. Fill in the table

Type of Force Definition EXAMPLE

Applied

Friction

Buoyant

Magnetic

Air resistance

Gravity

Tension

Spring

Normal
8. What is a free body diagram?

9. Draw a picture of a book sliding across a table. Label all of the forces acting on the book.

10. Read an article about forces then fill in the following information.
Title of article Date/Author

Summary of article 3 Facts from article

Something new you learned 2 Questions generated after reading

Opinion of article
 FORCES ANSWER KEY
1. Define Force:
A push or a pull exerted on an object

2. In terms of mass and acceleration, what is the equation for force? F = ma

3. What are the units for force? Kg m/s2 OR Newtons (N)

4. Identify Newton’s First Law:

Law of Inertia, an object in motion stays in motion unless an outside force acts upon it, an object at rest stays at rest
unless an outside force acts upon it
5. Identify Newton’s Second Law:
The acceleration of an object is equal to the sum of the forces acting on the object, divided by the mass of an object

6. Identify Newton’s Third Law:

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

7. Fill in the table

Type of Force Definition EXAMPLE

Applied Forces that move an object Pushing a box, motor on a boat

Friction Contact force that opposes the sliding motion Surface between box and table,
slowing it down as it slides

Buoyant Upward force exerted by a fluid Box floating on water

Magnetic Force that pushes or pulls materials together or The magnet sticks to the fridge
apart due to magnetism

Air resistance Force due to presence of air particles that Parachute opens and slows the
opposes movement, slowing it down object’s fall

Gravity Force of attraction between two objects An apple falling toward the earth from
a tree

Tension Pull exerted by rope, string, cable A sign hanging from a rope

Spring Push or pull of a spring Spring in toy that jump ups

Normal Contact force exerted by a surface on an object Table contacting a book on it

8. What is a free body diagram?

A picture or diagram that indicates all of the forces present by using arrows

9. Draw a picture of a book sliding across a table. Label all of the forces acting on the book.

FN
orm
FA
Ff BOOK al

Fg

10. Read an article about forces then fill in the following information.
Title of article Date/Author

Summary of article 3 Facts from article

Something new you learned 2 Questions generated after reading

Opinion of article