Teaching Resources
The Physics Classroom has been devoted to helping students, teachers, and classrooms since the 1990s. We are as passionate about that mission now as we have ever been. If you are a teacher of Physics or Physical Science, we encourage you to use our Video Tutorial with your students. And we also encourage you to consider the use of other resources on our website that coordinate with the video. We have listed a few below to help you get started.
The Newton's second law problems on our website are not separated into pages with problems where the acceleration is the unknown and pages with problems where an individual force value is the unknown. The two types of problems are mixed together. The resources below include both types of problems.
Teacher Toolkits: Newton's Second Law
Teacher Toolkits provide teachers a collection of annotated links to vetted resources on the internet that are standards-based and multimedia reliant. This particular Toolkit is on Newton's Second Law and should assist a teacher in finding resources for planning lessons that are next steps to this video.
Curriculum Corner: Newton's Laws Chapter
Physics Interactive: Force
Our Interactives section provides short simulations that allow students to manipulate a variable and observe its impact upon a motion. This one is perfect for helping students view the connection between mass, net force, and the resulting acceleration. It comes with two classroom-ready activity sheets.
Concept Builder: Net Force (and Acceleration) Ranking Tasks
Students love Concept Builders. Teachers do also. They provide a great way to solidify your learning on a topic. This one will cause students to think hard about the effects of net force and mass upon acceleration. There are varying levels of difficulty and instant feedback ... and hopefully plenty of dataways.
Concept Builder: Newton's Second Law - Equations as a Guide to Thinking
Students use the Newton's Second Law equation as a guide to thinking in order to predict the acceleration that results from a change in net force, a change in mass, or a change in both. Like all our Concept Builders, feedback is provided to student answers and there is a Help buton with question-specific help.
Concept Builder: Fnet = m•a
Students use the Newton's second law equation to drag out a force of a specific strength and in a specific direction in order to give an object a specified acceleration. When done, a click of a button will provide feedback. There are three levels of difficulty to allow you to differentiate to the needs of all learners.
Minds On Physics, Part 2: Newton's Laws Module, Missions NL7-NL9
For serious learners of Physics, Minds On Physics will provide a rigorous mental challenge. This program is available on phones and tablets and will give students the workout they need to strengthen your Physics muscles and wrap their mind securely around concepts. Missions NL7-NL9 pertain to Newton's Second Law of Motion.
Calculator Pad - Newton's Laws: Questions #11 - #30
The Calculator Pad is our go-to location for problems sets on the various topics of Physics. You will find varying problems with answers and audio-guided solutions. It's a great way to practice. Any of questions #11 through #30 would provide great practice solving problems with the Newton's second law equation.
Physics Classroom Tutorial - Newton's Laws Chapter, Lesson 3: Finding Acceleration
Our wirtten Tutorial is a reliable location to quickly brush up on a topic. Our Finding Acceleration page complements this video very nicely. You will find more practice problems with answers and worked out solutions.