Lesson Plans Using the Basic Physics Calculator

Lesson 1 - Identifying Variables.

Appropriate grade levels: 6th - 12th

Objectives: Students traditionally have a very difficult time identifying the given values in a word problem. This activity is designed to help students gain an understanding of what information is being given to them in word problems.

Students will be able to:

2. identify the unit of measure (label) for mass, force and acceleration.
3. identify a quantity as mass, force or acceleration when given its unit of measure (label).
4. identify quantities as mass, force or acceleration when the quantities are given in a word problem.

Activities :

1. Have students list as many units of mass as they can (gram, kilogram, milligram, etc.). Repeat for acceleration (meters per second squared, kilometers per hour squared, centimeters per second squared, etc.). Repeat for force (Newton).
2. Have each student create a list containing various quantities with unit labels. Have students exchange lists, identify the quantities as mass, force or acceleration and then check each others work. Examples : 4 Newtons - force, 85 kg - mass
3. Hand out a work sheet with several force problems on it. Have students highlight or underline all quantities. Have students list all of the quantities and unit labels given in the problem. Have student identify each quantity as mass, force or acceleration. Example: A man pushes on a 15 kg chair with 10 N. 15 kg - mass, 10 N - force

Lesson 2 - Calculations Involving Mass, Acceleration and Force.

Appropriate grade levels: 6th - 12th

Objective: Students need to practice new skills in order to master them. Unfortunately, practicing the skill incorrectly only reinforces the mistake. To avoid this, students should get immediate feedback about their work. Having them first solve the problem on their own and then use to calculator to check their answer accomplishes this.

Students will be able to:

1. when given two quantities, will be able to solve for the unknown quantity.
2. be able to use the calculator to check answers.

Activities :

1. Give students values for mass, acceleration and force that go together. Have students determine the force using mass and acceleration and then check answer using calculator. Have students determine mass using force and acceleration and then check answer using calculator. Have students determine acceleration using mass and force and then check answer using calculator. Example: mass = 2 kg, acceleration = 10 meters per second squared and force = 20 Newtons. F=ma therefore F=2 kg x 10 meters per second squared = 20 Newtons.
2. Give students values for two out of the three quantities and have them calculate the third. Have them check their answers using calculator.
3. Give students word problems involving mass, force and acceleration to solve. Have them check their answers using the calculator.