Mallet Motion 1

Abstract

The activity is intended for use at the start of the year in a high school physics class. Prior to starting this activity, students should have some experience either seeing a ball be hit/kicked or actually hitting/kicking a ball to observe the resulting motion. This activity explores motion and the connection between motion and forces by building an initial (but incomplete) model for impulse, which at this point is just described as a “hit.” As a result of this activity, students should have an initial understanding of position as a measurement of distance from a reference point that can be positive or negative, and (average) velocity, which is the change in position divided by the time-interval of that change. Students continue this learning over two additional activities to build up the Impulse-Momentum Theorem to explain how forces influence motion. Students will also develop their ability to interpret diagrammatic models and make inferences based on those models, as well as compare and contrast information from multiple experiences, identify patterns from mathematical representation, and synthesize that information into a set of common rules.

Level: High School
Setting: Classroom
Activity Type: Learning Cycle
Discipline: Physics
Course: Physics
Keywords: Position, Velocity, Motion Map, Impulse