SCOOTER WEB QUEST FOR K-11 STUDENTS-Newton's Third Law of Motion

Introduction:

Learning about physics could be both fun and a mystery! Newton's Third Law of Motion is one of those laws that is mysterious. Sir Isaac Newton says that, if you push against a wall, at the same time that you move away from the wall, the wall moves away from you. In fact, It is true but this movement is too small to measure.

This action-reaction principle has many applications in real world. In a car accident, in the office, in psychology, in social life, in economy, at the school, while doing sports, in astronomy...etc. You may see it in many forms. For instance, have you ever thought about rockets, scooter, and action-reaction forces together. If no, this webquest is for you. Keep going... 

Task:

Suppose that you are on a scooter (or roller-sledge) which has a rocket at the back side. You should analyze how the rocket works and how it helps to move the scooter (or roller-sledge). While there are many possibilities you would be faced with; you should drive the correct conclusions and explain that why you did not ignore the many other possibilities. 
    
    For this assignment you will need to:

        - Clarify how the rockets work.
        - Investigate how the rocket helps to move the scooter. 
        - Explain the physical laws about this motion.
        - Think about motion in terms of speed and acceleration of the scooter.
        - Evaluate your results in terms of the speed and acceleration of the scooter, total mass (you and your scooter) and so forth.
        - Prepare a presentation for your classmates.    

Process:

It is time to learn about Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion by seeing them in action. You will work with an partner to complete this project. Four class periods will be allotted to work on the project. If you need extra time to complete the project, your group are expected to do this work outside of class. The following list suggests steps you and your partner can take to complete the project.

1. Review some of the background information on the Newton's third law before you begin your research, brainstorm as a team what members know relating to task. Take notes as you gather information.
2. Prepare a 10 minute computer generated slide show presentation for class (8-10 slides) on the results of your webquest. Then move on to the research topic you selected. Include reasons for your data table(s) with chart(s) or graph(s), and your explanations, conclusions, and/or comments. Turn in a handout copy of the slides of your presentation with a list of the references you and/or your partner used in completing the webquest. For each reference used, write a sentence or two describing how it helped you complete the webquest.

Resources:

Fundamentals of Rockets and Rocketry

http://www.aero.org/publications/SpacePrinc/Space-Primer.pdf    Fun with rockets. Safety tips for rocket construction and launch. Rocket principles. Paper rockets. Rocket pinwheel and rocket car. 

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/newton1r.html    First Law applied to Model Rocket Liftoff

http://www.hpr.org.uk/hprhome.htm?science/newt3law-hdr.htm&science/newtons3.htm    Model rocketry. Model rocket pictures and reviews. High power rocketry. Demonstration of the principle of action - reaction: Newton’s Third Law

http://hometown.aol.com/hayhurst1/h2orocket.htm    Bottle rockets.

http://www.at-bristol.org.uk/Newton/experiment.htm    Experiments to try at home.   

http://www.aero.org/publications/SpacePrinc/Space-Primer.pdf    A detailed and professional knowledge about how rocket works?

Newton's Third Law of Motion-Isac Newton 

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/newtlaws/u2l4a.html    some conceptual pictures related with the law. Fundamentals of Newton’s third law. Are You Infected with the Misconception 

http://swift.sonoma.edu/education/newton/newton_3/html/newton3.html    Third Law in a way that they will find interesting and fun. ... 1. What made your rocket move ... 2. How is Newton's Third Law of Motion demonstrated by this activity.

http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ph9712.html     Syllabus 

http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/lesson/02forces/3rdlaw/index.htm     Table of contents Newton’s’ third law 

http://www.aloha.com/~isaac/3laws/3mid.htm

http://www.applewoodheights.ca/Bilic/assign/SPH4A0/Newton's%20Lessons.doc 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/chapters/cap-ch18.shtml    Sir Isaac Newton's laws 

Other links:

http://www.moffatsd.org/webquest/modelrocketry/index.html   Webquest-Newton's Laws using Model Rocketry

http://www.ga.unc.edu/NCTA/NCTA/WebQuest/CLIFFSIDE/WebQuest/Index.html   Webquest-Frisbee Fun

Evaluation:

Your final project grade will be based on the following rubric.

Conclusion:

Hopefully you have learned about Newton's third Law as well as little more about rockets and their motion. All rockets rely on the interaction of forces. Upon completion of this webquest you could:

- be more proficient in the use of internet.
- analyze the relationship between scooter with rockets and third law