The Newton Olympics –2 Days

Goal: To summarize Newton’s Laws of Motion

Materials: Nerf basketball set, tape, metric tape

measure, Nerf Ball, 46cm piece of string, Nerf Darts, soda can, Scooters, marble, cups.

Procedure: You will move from station to station, with each group member
performing the activity. You will have 8 minutes at each station and you have 2 days to
complete the lab. Answer each question before moving on to the next station.

STATION 1 – Shooting Hoops

 You will play a QUIET game of P-I-G (a shortened game of H-O-R-S-E. No slam
dunking allowed! After the game, answer the following questions:

1. Write down the formula for Newton’s 2nd Law: _____________________

2. How was it applied in your game?

3. Every time you shoot the basketball, what does the basketball become?
(Hint: this science term is defined as “an object that is launched into the
air continues in motion by its own inertia until a force acts on it.”)

STATION 2 – Standing Long Jump

 Place a piece of tape on the floor to act as the starting line.
 Standing behind the line, make your best long jump. Measure the distance using
the tape measure.
 Each member jumps twice and counts the better of the 2 jumps as their score.
 Answer the questions when everyone has completed their jumps:
1. What law of motion allowed you to move through the air?

2. What is the name of the tendency for your body “to stay in motion”
through the air? _________________________________

3. What force brought you back down? __________________________

4. How would getting a running start improve your distance?

STATION 3 – Nerf on a String
 Make sure the Nerf ball and string are securely tied.
 Pick up the end of the string and swing the ball in a circle around your head. (Be
careful not to hit anything or ANYONE!)
 Carefully observe what happens as you let go of the string. Answer the following
questions:

1. What happened when you let go of the string? Explain in terms of the laws
of motion.

2. A ball whirling in an orbit is kept in a circle by a force. What Olympic

event is based upon this force?_________________________________

3. What is providing the force that allows it to remain moving in a circle?

STATION 4 – Take Aim!

 Place 1 cup on its side on the floor.

 Sit on the floor about 2 meters away from the cup.
 Place the marble under the 2nd cup on the floor.
 Practice spinning the marble and releasing it so that it travels into the cup lying on
its side.
 After everyone has gone, answer the following questions:

1. What specific Law of Motion is being demonstrated? _______________

2. Define the law
STATION 5 – Nerf Sling Shots
 Use the Nerf Dart and rubber band and make a sling shot
 Aim the dart at the soda can and try to knock it over
 Answer the following questions:

1. What law of motion applies to the sling shot? Explain.

2. What law of motion applies to the can? Explain

STATION 6 – Scooter Races

 Sit on the scooter and race a friend from the starting line to the finish.
 When everyone has had a turn, answer the following questions:

1) What specific Law of Motion is being demonstrated?

2) What is the Action and Reaction?

3) Explain what would happen if there were no frictional forces at all in

this activity.