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Momentum and Collisions - Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.  

Day 1 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce unit
    Discuss momentum (definition, examples, equation, units, vector)
    Discuss impulse (definition, equation, units; impulse-momentum change equation)
  2. Lab 1 - Balloon Toss Lab
    Do and process; discuss impulse=momentum change principle
  3. Pair Practice: Momentum, Impulse, and Momentum Change Think Sheet
    Do #1-10 (if time allows)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission MC1 on Momentum


 

Day 2 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Review; discuss impulse-momentum change theorem
  2. Pair Practice: Complete Momentum, Impulse, and Momentum Change Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Impulse-Momentum Change Table (Master Level)
  4. Lab 2: Rebounding Versus Sticking
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 1, Part c
  2. Concept Builder: Impulse-Momentum Change Table (Master and Wizard Level)


 

Day 3 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Multiple-impulse collisions (1-2 examples). Here's a source.
  2. Post-Lab Lab 2
  3. Complete Controlling a Collision Think Sheet
  4. Concept Builder: Case Studies - Impulse and Force
  5. Concept Builder: Being Impulsive About Momentum
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Momentum and Collisions 1 on Impulse and Momentum Change
  2. Finish Concept Builder: Being Impulsive About Momentum


 

Day 4 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 3: Action-Reaction
    Do, post-lab and complete
  2. Discuss ∆p1 = -∆p2; the Law of Momentum Conservation
  3. Pair Practice: Action-Reaction and Momentum Conservation Think Sheet; Q#1-11
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 2, Parts a-c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission MC4 on Force, Impulse, and Momentum Change


 

Day 5 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Review; complete Action-Reaction and Momentum Conservation Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Exploding Carts Simulation with Student Activity Sheet
    Do, post-lab, and complete Concept Checker
  3. Lab 4 - Before and After
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 2, Part d
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission MC5 on Momentum Conservation


 

Day 6 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Post-Lab Lab 4 - Before and After; discuss ∆p1 = -∆p2; the Law of Momentum Conservation
  2. Discuss collision analysis and momentum conservation law; use Collision Analysis Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Hit and Stick Collisions - Law Enforcement (Master Level)
  4. Concept Builder: Explosions - Law Enforcement (Master Level)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 2 on Collision Analysis
  2. If not done, complete Concept Builder(s)


 

Day 7 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce "Momentum Plus" problems; do selected Qs from #1-6 of Momentum Zingers Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Collision Carts with Student Activity Sheet (Hit and Stick Collisions)
    Do, post-lab, and complete Concept Checker
  3. Concept Builder: Keeping Track of Momentum - Hit and Stick Collisions (Master Level only)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 3 on Collision Analysis
  2. If not done, finish Concept Builder and/or Concept Checker


 

Day 8 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Do selected "Momentum Plus" problems from #1-6 of Momentum Zingers Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Keeping Track of Momentum - Hit and Bounce Collisions (Master Level only)
  3. Physics Interactives: Collision Carts with Student Activity Sheet (Hit and Bounce Collisions)
    Do, post-lab, and complete Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 4 on Momentum Plus Problems
  2. If not done, finish Concept Builder and/or Concept Checker


 

Day 9 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss hit-and-stick collisions and proportional reasoning; use Momentum Conservation as a Guide to Thinking Think Sheet
  2. Lab 5 - Inelastic Collision Analysis
  3. Physics Interactives: Fish Catch with Student Activity Sheet
    Do, post-lab, and complete Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 2, Part e
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission MC10 on Momentum and Proportional Reasoning


 

Day 10 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss 2-Dimensional Collisions; use Collisions in Two-Dimensions Think Sheet
  2. Lab 6 - What's Cooking? (demonstration lab)
    Collect data and complete analysis
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 2, Part f
  2. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 5 on Collision and Explosion Plus Analysis


 

Day 11 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. More 2-Dimensional Collisions; complete Collisions in Two-Dimensions Think Sheet
  2. Do selected 2D collision problems from #7-9 of Momentum Zingers Think Sheet
  3. Lab 7 - Two-Dimensional Collision Lab
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Momentum and Its Conservation: Lesson 3
  2. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 6 on Two-Dimensional Collisions


 

Day 12 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Do final 2D collision examples from #7-9 of Momentum Zingers Think Sheet
  2. Introduce perfectly elastic collisions; use Elastic Collisions Think Sheet
  3. Physics Interactives: use this simulation to do the Elasticity of Collisions Activity Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Complete Elasticity of Collisions Activity Sheet
  2. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 7 on Two-Dimensional Collisions


 

Day 13 of Momentum and Collisions

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss elastic collisions problems; do #10-11 of Momentum Zingers Think Sheet
  2. CalcPad - Momentum and Collisions 8 on Perfectly Elastic Collisions
  3. Prepare for Test
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work