This student worksheet is designed to be downloaded and printed off then used in the lab. The information is also included below if the lesson is being done on a computer instead.

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Newton’s Second Law Lab

Information Review

This lesson will apply equation from Newton’s second law to the Scientific Method; here is a short review:

Newton’s Second Law can be defined with one simple equation: F=ma

Each letter in the equation stands for something and uses a different measurement:

F = Force, and is measured in Newtons

M = Mass, and is measured in grams

A = Acceleration, and is measured in meters per second

Putting all of it together, the equation would be Force = Mass times Acceleration

The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method is a process that scientists use to answer a question by making an educated guess to the answer of the question, then proving the answer by doing an experiment.  Fill out the worksheet below with details.

Question

The scientific method begins by asking a question about something to better understand it. What question are we asking about the F=ma equation?

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Research

The second step is to do research to try to answer the question. What do you know about the F=ma equation that could help answer the question?

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Hypothesis

The third step is to make an educated guess to answer your question, that educated guess is called a hypothesis. Based on what you know, what is your hypothesis?

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Experiment

In the fourth part of the scientific method, an experiment is done to test if the hypothesis is correct.  After setting up the ramp, and the objects answer the questions below

What is your first object, and what is its mass?

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Use the F=ma equation to calculate the object’s force below, and make sure to show your work.

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What is your second object, and what is its mass?

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Use the F=ma equation to calculate the object’s force below, and make sure to show your work.

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Conclusion

In the last step of the scientific method, you write down the answer to your question. After doing the experiment, which one of the objects had the greater force? Was your Hypothesis correct?

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