Forces and Motion: Basics

Forces and Motion: Basics Screenshot
  • Force
  • Motion
  • Friction
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Topics

  • Force
  • Motion
  • Friction
  • Speed
  • Newton's First Law

Description

Explore the forces at work when pulling against a cart, and pushing a refrigerator, crate, or person. Create an applied force and see how it makes objects move. Change friction and see how it affects the motion of objects.

Sample Learning Goals

  • Identify when forces are balanced vs unbalanced.
  • Determine the sum of forces (net force) on an object with more than one force on it.
  • Predict the motion of an object with zero net force.
  • Predict the direction of motion given a combination of forces.
Version 1.02

Teacher Tips

Download teacher tips PDF Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ).

Teacher-Submitted Activities

Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS
UG-Intro
MC Physics
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS
UG-Intro
Lab
HW
Demo
Physics
Forces & Motion: Basics HTML5 - Part 2 (Friction) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Amy Rouinfar & Trish Loeblein HS
MS
K-5
Lab Physics
Forces and Motion A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. Sarah Borenstein MS Lab Physics
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? This contribution was designed by PhET. Sarah Borenstein MS Other Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Earth Science
Force and Motion: Mass vs. Speed Heather Gaughan K-5 Remote Physics
Introduction to Net Force Heather Gaughan K-5 Remote Physics
PHET Motion & Friction Sim Lab James Kane MS HW
Lab
Discuss
Guided
Physics
Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics Jaya Ramchandani HS Other Physics
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer MS
HS
Other Physics
Biology
Chemistry
PhET Simulations Aligned for AP Physics C Roberta Tanner HS Other Physics
Newton's Second Law of Motion Leah L. Lecerio HS
MS
Other Physics
Friction Quantitative Lab Steve Banasiak HS Guided
Lab
Physics
How does mass effect the speed of a forced object? Marley Carhart K-5 Guided
HW
Lab
Physics
Friction and Motion Amanda Turkel K-5 Lab
Guided
HW
Physics
Mathematics
Forces and Free Body Diagram Lab Kara Quinlan HS Lab
Guided
Physics
Pushing Things Around Dean Baird HS Lab Physics
Force and Motion Basics - Second grade Anne Mason K-5 Lab Physics
Kinematics Wang Yunhe HS Lab Physics
Middle School Science Julia Benson MS Lab Physics
Tug Wars: May The Forces Be With You! Jeffrey Shuldman K-5 Lab Physics
Forces and Motion: Friction Nicole H. MS Demo
Force and Motion Sim Activity Kim Ridini K-5 Lab Physics
Investigating Forces and Motion Through Inquiry Tony Tracy HS Lab
2nd Law Simulation Lab Bob Bessin HS Lab Physics
Force and Motion Investigation Michael Pennisi HS Lab Physics
Forces and Motion: Basic - Concept Introduction Stephen N. Clontz, M. Ed. K-5
MS
Demo
CQs
Lab
Other
Force, Mass, Acceleration CL Stephenson MS
HS
Lab Physics
Friction and Acceleration Mike Mikhaiel HS Lab
Forces, Friction and Motion Monique Modeste MS Lab
Force Allison Reich MS CQs Physics
PREPARATORIA: Alineación de PhET con programas de la DGB México (2017) This contribution was designed by PhET. Diana López UG-Intro
HS
Other Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
mesues pjeter gjoka MS Lab
Discuss
HW
Physics
Forces i moviment Valentí Ferrer MS HW Physics
Forces and Motion: Basics Dutch Rachid Anouar MS HW Physics
Kracht en beweging René Wester HS Lab Physics
Gamificação da Força e movimento Darkson F. Costa; José M. V. Gomes; Dommenike M. Silva; Gilvandenys L. Sales. UG-Intro
MS
HS
Guided
Lab
Physics
Atividade de Força e Movimento Darkson F. Costa, Jeirla A.Monteiro, Gilvandenys L. Sales MS Lab
Discuss
Physics
Mecânica (Atividades) nos OA's do PhET Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales UG-Intro
MS
HS
Grad
Other
Guided
HW
Lab
Discuss
Demo
Other
Other
Earth Science
Physics
Força de Atrito Darkson Fernandes da Costa, Gilvandenys Leite Sales UG-Intro
HS
Lab Physics
Leis de Newton Jardel de Oliveira Santos / Nizomar de Sousa Gonçalves MS Guided
Discuss
Physics
Forças em Ação Alline Alencar Macedo e Mairton Romeu Cavalcante HS Lab Physics
2. Newtonov zakon Barbara Fir MS Guided Physics

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Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Noah Podolefsky (lead designer)
  • Sam Reid (lead developer)
  • Ariel Paul
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Trish Loeblein
  • Piccolo2D
  • Lombok
  • Functional Java