Teacher Notes for Forces in Two Dimensions

 

Lesson Plans || Learning Outcomes and Activities || Teacher Notes || Labs



 

Unit Overview

Our Vectors and Projectiles unit was heavy on the math and lighter on the concepts. This Forces in Two Dimension unit is even more so. The unit includes three basic types of problems:
 
  1. Equilibrium Problems (most often, a sign hanging problem)
  2. a=Fnet/m Problems with a Force at an angle to the acceleration
  3. Inclined Plane Problems
All three problem types require the use of a trigonometric function to resolve all forces so that they are along the x-y axes. The inclined plane problem includes the added complication of re-defining the x-y axes such that they are parallel and perpendicular to the inclined plane. We have suggested eight days for completion of the activities for these three problem types.


 

The Calculator Pad (a.k.a., CalcPad)

When it comes to solving Physics word problems or simply conducting a mathematical analysis of a physical situation, our CalcPad section is the go-to resource. We have nearly 75 ready-to-use problems organized into 14 different short problem sets for the topic of Forces in Two Dimensions. With a Task Tracker subscription, you can organize the pre-made problems into your own problem sets and even write your own problems. We have created five different custom problems sets for this unit that represent a re-organization of those ~75 problems. With a Task Tracker subscription, you can assign these to your students and even edit them by removing or adding problems.



 

Physics Interactives

We have suggested two different Physics Interactives in our Lesson Plans. Both pertain to equilibrium problems. They are Go For the Gold and Balance It! Both are skill-building exercises divided into different difficulty levels. Preview them ahead of time and assign those levels that are most suitable to your students. If you have a Task Tracker subscription, you can assign the Interactives and then tap the Trash can next to a level to remove it from your student's experience. We will put a great big red X through that level when your students arrive at the main menu. Use the Preview page (Teacher Resources section of your account) to quickly preview each level of the Interactive.


 

Other Resources

There are a few resources that we did not list in our Lesson Plans and Learning Outcomes and Activities that you may find to be very helpful or more in-style with your approach. These include:
 
  1. Concept Builder: Equilibrium
    Students use concepts of equilibrium and vector components in order to add two forces to an object so as to establish an equilibrium state.
  2. Concept Builder: Free-Body Diagrams for Inclined Planes
    Students construct a free-body diagram for both a basic and a complex inclined plane situation.



 

Law of Conservation of Time

As we mentioned in our Vectors and Projectiles unit, classes that have great difficulty with the mathematical aspect of Physics may wish to take a pass on this unit. The time might be better spent on some new ideas (momentum conservation, energy conservation, circular motion, etc.). As we say, the total amount of time in a school year cannot be created nor destroyed; but it can be transferred from one unit to another. Make the decision which works best for your classroom and students.


 

Teacher Presentation Pack

Yes. This is going to cost you ... money. But it is also going to pay you back big time in return ... time and the satisfaction that comes with managing your class and providing engaging lessons. Our Teacher Presentation Pack was designed for all Physics teachers; but we particularly had early-career and cross-over Physics teachers in mind. For them (and anyone), this can be a huge time saver and a life saver (excuse the slight exaggeration). It includes a large collection of Slide Decks, Lesson Notes, animations, and graphics for use in your classroom. Once downloaded, you can modify and customize the Slide Decks as needed. The slides are highly organized and (mostly) graphical; they make great graphic organizers for any student, and especially for the struggling student. Learn more.





 

Also Available ...

Physics teachers may find the following for-sale tools to be useful supplements to our Lesson Plan and Pacing Guide section:
  1. Task Tracker Subscription (annual purchase)
    A subscription allows teachers to set up classes, add students, customize online assignments, view student progress/scores, and export student scores. Task Tracker accounts allow your students to begin assignments in class or at school and to finish them at home. View our Seat and Cost Calculator for pricing details.
     
  2. The Solutions Guide
    We publish a free curriculum with >200 ready-to-use Think Sheets for developing physics concepts. The Solutions Guide is a download containing the source documents, PDFs of source documents, and answers/solutions in MS Word and PDF format. An expanded license agreement is included with the purchase. (Cost: $25 download)
     
  3. Teacher Presentation Pack
    This is a large collection of downloadable content packed with nearly 190 Microsoft PowerPoint slide decks, the corresponding Lesson Notes (as PDF and fully-modifiable MS Word format), about 170 animations (in .gif, .png, and .mp4 file formats), a countless number of ready-to-use images (including the original source documents that would allow for easy modification of those images), and a license that allows teachers to modify and use all the content with their classes on password-protected sites (such as course management systems).  (Cost: $40 download)
     
  4. Question Bank
    We distribute a Question Bank that includes more than 9300 questions neatly organized according to topic. The Question Bank is the perfect tool for busy teachers or new teachers. Even if you don't use the website with your classes, the Question Bank will assist you in quickly putting together quizzes, tests and other documents with high-quality questions that target student's conceptions of physics principles. And if you do use The Physics Classroom website, the Question Bank is the perfect complement to the materials found at the website. (Cost: $25 download)