Machines in Motion
The purpose of this unit plan is to teach students how to analyze and apply Newton’s Laws of Motion to physical experiments by constructing basic electronic circuits using breadboards, resistors, and LEDs.
Overview
Students open with a RoboCup video of robot motion, identify the physics they see, and watch a demonstration of an LED circuit on a breadboard. They then measure real robot motion with timers and tape measures to find velocity and acceleration, and build circuits to apply Ohm's Law. Students write CER explanations for their motion and circuit data, comparing observed values with kinematic formulas. In the design challenge, groups either build a circuit that powers an LED system on a mock robot or calculate how fast a robot must accelerate to reach a target within 5 seconds. A quiz, circuit build, and CER reflection conclude the lesson. The plan allots 45-minute periods to engage (one), explore (two), explain (one), and evaluate (one), and one to two periods to elaborate.
Lesson Objectives
- Analyze and apply Newton’s Laws of Motion to physical experiments.
- Construct basic electronic circuits using breadboards, resistors, and LEDs.
- Collect and interpret motion data from ramp-based physics experiments.
- Relate the concepts of friction and acceleration to real-world applications in robotics.
Standards
NGSS · 4
- HS-PS2-6Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.
- HS-PS2-1Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s Second Law of Motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
- HS-PS3-5Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction.
- HS-ETS1-2Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems.
CCSS Math · 3
- HSA-REI.B.3Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations with coefficients represented by letters.
- HSS-ID.C.7Interpret the slope (rate of change) and the intercept (constant term) of a linear model in the context of data.
- HSN-Q.A.1-3Use units as a way to understand problems and guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas.
CCSS ELA · 3
- RST.11-12.3Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
- SL.11-12.1.aCome to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; draw on preparation by referring to evidence.
- WHST.11-12.2Write informative texts, including scientific procedures and explanations of phenomena.