Newton’s Second Law and Acceleration: Finding Planets Using Physics

Lesson Summary

This lesson conceptually explores Newton’s second law; specifically, the idea that acceleration is any change in velocity, not just speeding up or slowing down.

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to: 

• explain the difference between speed and velocity.

• explain that an object in a circular or elliptical orbit is always accelerating due to the change in the direction of its motion.

• describe how a change in force can lead to a change in acceleration.

Standards

Science and Engineering Practices:

MA Science and Technology/Engineering (2016):

NGSS (2013):

Common Core Math/Language Arts Standards:

Tags

Educator SoundBites

Feedback coming soon!