U S E O F S PA R K W O R K Z C O N T R A P T I O N 2 T O T E A C H F O R C E S

GROUP 5 (TG22)

OBJECTIVES OF LESSON

• Students will be able to:• Identify two categories of forces in nature, contact and

non-contact forces

• Identify the different forces within these categories, which are friction, electric force, gravitational force.

• Apply knowledge of these forces to describe motion of object in the game through Free body diagrams

Use of Sparkworkz Contraption 2 to teach physics concept

- We can restrict students to certain conditions while solving the game to illustrate various concepts

- e.g. Level 1 Day in the Park

- Students are supposed to incorporate “electric charges” to solve the game

- Through the game, students will be able to apply the concept that distance between charges affect the electric attraction/repulsion

A possible solution

Electric repulsion will result in a resultant force on the ball

Unpowered spheres are used simply for supporting the structure

Students can draw the free body diagram for the red object (weight and repulsive force), and predict the trajectory of the object.

A possible solution (cont’d)

Electric repulsion will result in a resultant force on the ball

Unpowered spheres are used simply for supporting the structure

Students can also be asked to draw the resultant force acting on the object

Use of Sparkworkz Contraption 2 to teach physics concept

-Level 2 Cruise back home

-Illustrate the concept of forces and motion on a horizontal plane and an inclined plane

-Anticlockwise powered wheel will exert a force to the left. Clockwise powered wheel will exert a force to the right.

Forces on a horizontal plane and resultant motion

observe the effect of 2 unpowered wheels

Brings in the concept of equilibrium. Question: Are the forces on the objects balanced? Use FBD to explain how we know this.

Forces on a horizontal plane and resultant motion

observe the effect of 1 anticolockwise and 1 clockwise powered wheels

Question: Why doesn’t the cart move when wheels are rotating in opposition? Does this imply the forces are in equilibrium? Use FBD to explain.

Forces on a horizontal plane and resultant motion

observe the effect of 1 anticolockwise powered and 1 unpowered wheels

Question: Why does the cart move now? Why is the force unbalanced here? Once again, use FBD to explain.

Forces on an inclined plane and motion

observe the effect of 1 anticolockwise powered and 1 unpowered wheels on a slope.What are the forces acting on the system?Can it overcome the hump? Why?

Question: Identify the forces on the cart when it is on the slope. Label these forces on the FBD to explain the questions in red.

Forces on an inclined plane and motion

observe the effect of 1 anticolockwise powered and 1 unpowered wheels on a slope.What are the forces acting on the system?Can it overcome the hump? Why?

Question: Why does the cart slow down as it goes up the slope? What changed in the force acting on the cart?

Forces on an inclined plane and motion

observe the effect of 2 anticolockwise powered wheels..Can it overcome the hump? Why?

Question: Why is the cart able to clear the cart with higher speed in this case? What changed in the force acting on the cart?

Use of Sparkworkz Contraption 2 to teach physics concept

- Students wll have to bring in other relevant concept from prior chapters to expalin e.g. Newton’s third law

- Creativity can be introduced concurrently e.g. request students to use as little structures as possible; request students to use at least 30 structures etc.