Identify and predict quantitative patterns of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
In the last unit, students explored how shelters help animals survive in their environment. In this unit, students investigate the relationship between forces and motion, building propeller cars to observe action-reaction forces, the relationship between the distance their car travels and the amount of force applied, and how friction affects motion.
In this unit, students use propeller cars to explore the science phenomena of forces. They investigate action-reaction forces and see if a propeller car travels farther when its rubber band releases a smaller or larger force. Students then explore how friction affects motion by testing how far their car moves after rolling over smooth and rough surfaces.
In the last unit, students used propeller cars to explore the relationship between forces and motion. In this unit, students continue to explore vehicles with a focus on boats and specifically the science phenomena of properties that cause objects such as boats to float or sink.
