Big Idea 13: Forces and Changes in Motion

A. It takes energy to change the motion of objects.

B. Energy change is understood in terms of forces--pushes or pulls.

C. Some forces act through physical contact, while others act at a distance.

Clarification for grades K-5: The target understanding for students in the elementary grades should focus on Big Ideas A, B, and C.

Clarification for grades 6-8: The target understanding for students in grades 6-8 should begin to transition the focus to a more specific definition of forces and changes in motion. Net forces create a change in motion. A change in momentum occurs when a net force is applied to an object over a time interval.

Grades 9-12, Standard 12: Motion - A. Motion can be measured and described qualitatively and quantitatively. Net forces create a change in motion. B. Momentum is conserved under well-defined conditions. A change in momentum occurs when a net force is applied to an object over a time interval.

General Information
Number: SC.1.P.13
Title: Forces and Changes in Motion
Type: Big Idea
Subject: Science
Grade: 1
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SC.1.P.13.In.1
Identify the effect that a push or pull has on an object, such as changing the way an object moves.

Supported

SC.1.P.13.Su.1
Demonstrate and recognize that pushing or pulling of an object makes it move.

Participatory

SC.1.P.13.Pa.1
Apply a push to move an object.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plans

Water and Ice Dance:

In this lesson the students will create a dance composition inspired by water and ice. Students will explore textures of water and ice via prompts and cuing given to students in order to elicit spontaneous movement responses.

Type: Lesson Plan

Making Objects Move Science NetLinks:

In this lesson, students identify ways to make objects move while recording their techniques. Students then engineer a track that will place an object as close to an exact location as possible. Students will test and revise their tracks.

Type: Lesson Plan

Give it a Push!:

In this lesson, students learn about forces on objects such as a push or a pull. Students interact with items in their classroom testing pushes and pulls. Students explore the strength of pushes through a toy race investigation.

Type: Lesson Plan

Let's Use Force:

The students will be able to explain how a push or pull affects how an object moves, the difference of a push and pull, and the way to change how something is moving is to give it a push or a pull.

Type: Lesson Plan

Push and Pull Magnet Art – an Engineering Design Challenge:

This Engineering Design Challenge is intended to help first grade students apply the concepts of the various ways objects can move, and that the way to change the motion of an object is to apply a push or a pull. It is not intended as an initial introduction to this benchmark.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Playing with Science: Push & Pull:

Learn how to change the motion of an object by applying pushing and pulling forces using a variety of toys.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Teaching Ideas

All About Motion:

Students will observe and discuss motion in learning stations or in demonstration. They will observe and discuss how a push or pull affects motion.

Type: Teaching Idea

How and Where Things Move:

Students explore a variety of objects to discover the many ways the objects move-up and down, straight line, in circles, back and forth. They will discover that a force (push or pull) makes it move.

Type: Teaching Idea

Investigating Motion With Marbles:

In this guided inquiry activity, students will use 2 marbles of different size and a box to investigate what makes the marbles move and what will cause the marbles to change speed and direction.

Type: Teaching Idea

Unit/Lesson Sequence

What Makes Objects Move?:

In this unit, students use different objects and observations to explore what factors influence an objects' motion.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorial

Playing with Science: Push & Pull:

Learn how to change the motion of an object by applying pushing and pulling forces using a variety of toys.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.