MS-PS2-2 · Developing and Using Models

Read the force
from the motion

You are given how something moved. Nothing about the push. From the motion alone, work out what the force must have been doing the whole time.

01

Pick a motion

Each of these is a real situation with a velocity-time graph already measured. Start with the puck if this is new.

02

Sketch the net force

Locked — pick a motion first

The top graph is given. In the bottom panel, draw what you think the net force was doing at every moment. The dashed line is zero — you can draw above it or below it. Draw all the way across.

Velocity (given) Your force sketch
03

What the graph was telling you

Locked
04

Write it up

Locked
Where were you right, where were you wrong

Compare your sketch to the answer. Name one section you got right and one you did not.

The rule

Look at both graphs together. What feature of the velocity graph tells you the size of the net force? Write the rule in your own words.