These questions all probe pupils’ understanding of the connection between forces and motion.
Qs1-3 look at a simplified model of the forces on a car when it is speeding up, going at a steady speed, and slowing down. Of these, pupils are likely to find Q1 the easiest, and Q2 the most difficult -–with many wanting to indicate a net force forwards to maintain the steady speed. These three questions all ask about total force as well as the individual forces, allowing you to check if pupils’ answers to the two parts of each question are consistent.
Q4 also probes the same ideas, but in a different and unfamiliar situation.
Qs5-7 probe another situation that pupils find difficult to analyse in terms of forces acting – an object that has been set in motion but is now slowing down. Again many choose to mark a force in the direction of motion. Questions like these are very good for group discussion, prior to a class discussion.
Qs8-9 probe understanding that, in the absence of external forces, an object travels in a straight line. Many pupils think (wrongly) that circular motion will persist, to some extent at least.
Q10 is another good small group discussion question, bringing together all the key ideas about how forces can explain motion, and the ‘at rest’ situation.
Strand: 4. Physical World
Strand unit: 3. Relationships between Physical Observables
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