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.
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Item Type(s):
This benchmark may be assessed using:
MC
item(s)
Also Assesses - Clarification :
Students will describe the relationship among mass, force, and motion.
Students will identify and/or describe that an object in motion always changes its position and may change its direction.
Students will describe that the speed of an object is determined by the distance an object travels and the time it takes the object to travel that distance.
Students will describe that objects can move at different speeds. - Content Limits :
Items assessing relationship between mass, force, and motion are limited to a conceptual understanding. Items will not involve mathematical calculations or formulas.
Items will address a conceptual understanding of speed and not require mathematical computations.
Items may require the identification of the direction of motion but not the magnitude of motion.
Items may refer to balanced forces and/or unbalanced forces but not net force.
Items assessing forces applied to objects of different masses are limited to pushes, pulls, and friction. - Stimulus Attributes :
Scenarios should use newtons (N) as the unit of measure for forces - Response Attributes :
None specified - Prior Knowledge :
Items may require the student to apply science knowledge described in the NGSSS from lower grades. This benchmark requires prerequisite knowledge from SC.K.P.13.1, SC.1.P.13.1, SC.2.P.13.1, and SC.2.P.13.4.
SC.4.P.12.1 Recognize that an object in motion always changes its position and may change its direction.
SC.4.P.12.2 Investigate and describe that the speed of an object is determined by the distance it travels in a unit of time and that objects can move at different speeds.
SC.5.P.13.3 Investigate and describe that the more mass an object has, the less effect a given force will have on the object’s motion.
SC.5.P.13.4 Investigate and explain that when a force is applied to an object but it does not move, it is because another opposing force is being applied by something in the environment so that the forces are balanced.
- Test Item #: Sample Item 1
- Question: Stephanie started pushing a bookcase across the room, as shown in picture 1. Then, she removed the books and continued pushing with the same force and direction, as shown in picture 2.
how does removing the books affect the motion of the bookcase? - Difficulty: N/A
- Type: MC: Multiple Choice
Related Courses
Related Access Points
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
Original Student Tutorial
Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiasts
Teaching Idea
Virtual Manipulatives
Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8
Explore forces and how changes in forces can affect the motion of objects in this interactive tutorial.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorial
Explore forces and how changes in forces can affect the motion of objects in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
Ancient weapons technologies developed by humans proved that they were better at physics than the saber-toothed cats.
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
Virtual Manipulatives
Students can create an applied force and see how it makes objects move. They can also make changes in friction and see how it affects the motion of objects.
- Identify when forces are balanced vs. unbalanced.
- Determine the sum of forces (net force) on an object with more than one force on it.
- Predict the motion of an object with zero net force.
- Predict the direction of motion given a combination of forces.
Type: Virtual Manipulative
This is a virtual manipulative which demonstrates the principles of force. Students can click on a man and push different objects of varying masses across the screen. The resulting forces (frictional and total force) are shown. Graphs show forces, position and acceleration as a function of time. Free body diagrams of all the forces can also be viewed.
Type: Virtual Manipulative
Parent Resources
Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
Ancient weapons technologies developed by humans proved that they were better at physics than the saber-toothed cats.
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
Virtual Manipulative
Students can create an applied force and see how it makes objects move. They can also make changes in friction and see how it affects the motion of objects.
- Identify when forces are balanced vs. unbalanced.
- Determine the sum of forces (net force) on an object with more than one force on it.
- Predict the motion of an object with zero net force.
- Predict the direction of motion given a combination of forces.
Type: Virtual Manipulative