Force+and+Motion+Unit+Learning+Targets

// ** I can ** describe motion. //
 * This means** I define motion as change in an object’s position over time.
 * This means** I explain and calculate speed as equal to distance divided by time.
 * I can** interpret a distance-time graph.
 * This means** I explain and demonstrate a positive slope as movement away from the starting point as time passes.
 * This means** I explain and demonstrate a flat line shows that an object is not moving away from the staring point as time passes. (Speed is equal to 0 m/s.)
 * This means** I explain and demonstrate that a steeper slope indicates greater speed and a less steep slope indicates slower speed.
 * This means** I explain and demonstrate a negative slope as movement toward the starting point as time passes.
 * This means** I plot points on a coordinate plane.
 * This means** I explain velocity as speed in a certain direction.
 * This means** I explain acceleration as how velocity changes over time.

** I can ** describe force.
 * This means** I define force as a push or a pull.
 * This means** I define net force as the total force acting on an object.
 * This means** I identify and describe types of forces like gravity, friction, and contact force.
 * This means** I recognize when there is no change in speed or direction, forces are balanced. (Zero net force)
 * This means** I recognize when there is a change in speed or direction (velocity), forces are unbalanced.


 * I can ** describe and apply Newton’s First Law of Motion.
 * This means** I explain that when forces are balanced, objects in motion stay in motion at the same velocity and objects at rest stay at rest.
 * This means** I explain that a change in motion is the result of an unbalanced force acting upon an object.
 * This means** I explain objects will move in a straight line unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
 * This means** I describe and demonstrate centripetal force as the forcethat keeps an object moving in a circle.


 * I can ** describe and apply Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
 * This means** I explain when the same force is applied to objects of different mass, the smaller mass will have greater acceleration.
 * This means** I explain when mass is the same, a larger force will cause a greater acceleration than a smaller force.
 * This means** I describe and calculate force as mass times acceleration.


 * I can ** describe and apply Newton’s Third Law of Motion.
 * This means** I explain that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
 * This means** I identify action and reaction pairs.


 * I can ** describe work.
 * This means** I describe and calculate work as force x distance and give examples.


 * I can ** describe how simple machines affect work, force, and distance.
 * This means** I explain how an inclined plane spreads the work over a greater distance based on the length/steepness of the plane.
 * This means** I explain how a lever spreads the work over a greater distance based on the placement of the fulcrum.
 * This means** I explain how a pulley spreads the work over a greater distance based on the number of supporting ropes.