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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 45 minutes

Force and rate of change of momentum (safety design)

Forces and motion

CCSS NGSS.HS-PS2-3CCSS NGSS.HS-ETS1-2England: GCSE Combined Science: Forces (Physics only: changes in momentum)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Force and rate of change of momentum (safety design).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Momentum (p = m v)

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Force meters, Toy cars and ramps, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Momentum (p = m v)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What is the momentum of a 1000 kg object moving at 5 m/s, in kg m/s? → 5000 kgm/sPrompt: momentum = mass × velocity
  2. An object moving at 6 m/s has a momentum of 12 kg m/s. What is its mass, in kg? → 2 kgPrompt: Rearrange p = m v.
  3. Why is momentum a vector quantity? (It depends on velocity, which has a direction / It is measured in joules / It depends only on mass / It is always zero) → It depends on velocity, which has a directionPrompt: p = m × v

Hook · 5 min

  • Drop a sheet of paper and a scrunched-up sheet together and ask why one falls faster.
  • Share the objective: Force and rate of change of momentum (safety design). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: A 80 kg passenger moving at 15 m/s is brought to rest in 0.4 s by a seat belt and airbag. What is the average force on the passenger, in N?
  • Step 1: Δp = 80 × 15 = 1200 kg m/s
  • Step 2: F = 1200 ÷ 0.4 = 3000
  • Step 3: So the answer is: 3000 N
  • Answer: 3000 N
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. A 60 kg passenger moving at 10 m/s is brought to rest in 0.4 s by a seat belt and airbag. What is the average force on the passenger, in N? → 1500 NPrompt: F = change in momentum ÷ time
  2. A helmet increases the time for a head to stop in a fall from 0.05 s to 0.25 s. The change in momentum is the same. By what factor is the average force reduced? → 5Prompt: F = Δp ÷ t, so force is inversely proportional to time.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. A helmet increases the time for a head to stop in a fall from 0.02 s to 0.1 s. The change in momentum is the same. By what factor is the average force reduced? → 5Prompt: F = Δp ÷ t, so force is inversely proportional to time.
  2. Why do cricket or baseball fielders pull their hands back as they catch a fast ball? (It increases the ball's speed / It makes the ball lighter / It increases the time to stop the ball, reducing the force on their hands / It changes the ball's momentum to zero instantly) → It increases the time to stop the ball, reducing the force on their handsPrompt: The change in momentum is the same either way.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Momentum (p = m v).
  • Use concrete materials: force meters.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Force and rate of change of momentum (safety design)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Why do gymnasts land on thick soft mats?

    • A. Mats bounce them higher
    • B. The mat reduces their mass
    • C. The mat increases stopping time, reducing the force on their legs
    • D. The mat increases their speed

  2. Question 2

    A 70 kg passenger moving at 15 m/s is brought to rest in 0.4 s by a seat belt and airbag. What is the average force on the passenger, in N?

    AnswerN

  3. Question 3

    A helmet increases the time for a head to stop in a fall from 0.02 s to 0.2 s. The change in momentum is the same. By what factor is the average force reduced?

    Answer

  4. Question 4

    A 80 kg passenger moving at 12 m/s is brought to rest in 0.4 s by a seat belt and airbag. What is the average force on the passenger, in N?

    AnswerN

  5. Question 5

    A helmet increases the time for a head to stop in a fall from 0.01 s to 0.04 s. The change in momentum is the same. By what factor is the average force reduced?

    Answer

  6. Question 6

    Why do cyclists' helmets contain crushable foam?

    • A. Foam makes the helmet bounce
    • B. Foam reduces air resistance
    • C. Crushing foam increases the time the head takes to stop
    • D. Foam is heavier than plastic

  7. Question 7

    A 60 kg passenger moving at 12 m/s is brought to rest in 0.5 s by a seat belt and airbag. What is the average force on the passenger, in N?

    AnswerN

  8. Question 8

    A helmet increases the time for a head to stop in a fall from 0.02 s to 0.08 s. The change in momentum is the same. By what factor is the average force reduced?

    Answer

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Answer key: Force and rate of change of momentum (safety design)

  1. 1. C. The mat increases stopping time, reducing the force on their legs

  2. 2. 2625 N

  3. 3. 10

  4. 4. 2400 N

  5. 5. 4

  6. 6. C. Crushing foam increases the time the head takes to stop

  7. 7. 1440 N

  8. 8. 4