Alaska Science Performance Standard L4/A6

	Alaska Science Key Element A6 A student who meets the content standard should understand that forces of nature cause different types of motion, and describe the relationship between these forces and motion (Motion).

Performance Standard Level 4, Ages 15–18

Students explain common examples of linear and rotational motion using Newton’s Laws of Motion.

Sample Assessment Ideas

Students calculate speed and position as a function of time for a boat traveling both upstream and downstream in a known current if the motor force of the boat is known.
Students describe and calculate the orbital velocity of a geostationary satellite at a fixed height above Earth.

Expanded Sample Assessment Idea

Expanded Sample Assessment Idea

Students experiment with sleds to determine acceleration due to a constant force.

Procedure Students will: Mark off 5m increments along a track; use a spring scale between the sled and a pulling force to assure constant force; tow a sled or skateboard on a hard or ice surface (e.g. lake, well-packed snow machine track, ice rink.) Measure time between marks. Calculate velocity. Graph velocity vs. time and determine acceleration; graph acceleration vs. time. Vary the weight on the slide, surface type, force; repeat calculations and graphing steps. Reflection and Revision Write a formal lab report that includes: Materials & Methods (include calculations and graphs) Data Analysis (include sources of experimental error due to the sled, the snow type, human error; methods to reduce experimental error; description of the forces acting on the sled when it is stationary, when it is moving) Data Interpretation (include a description of the experimental results using Newton’s Laws of Motion and coefficient of friction) Applications (include a discussion of Newton’s three laws at work in a related local activity such as driving a vehicle, playing sports, hunting, and so on)	Levels of Performance
	Stage 4	Student work is complete, correct and shows detailed evidence of the transfer and extension of knowledge that relates forces to motion. Each section of the lab report is detailed and shows evidence of logical reasoning. Calculations are accurate; graphs are correctly labeled and accurately represent the observations; error analysis contains detailed discussion of each source of error; experimental results are interpreted according to Newton’s Laws of Motion as well as coefficient of friction and the Applications section includes a thorough discussion of how Newton’s Laws of Motion apply to daily living or a local activity.
	Stage 3	Student work is mostly complete and shows evidence of the transfer or extension of knowledge that relates forces and motion. Most sections of the lab report shows evidence of logical reasoning, although some sections may contain minor errors or omissions. Calculations are mostly accurate; graphs are labeled and represent the observations; error analysis contains a discussion of sources of error; experimental results are interpreted according to Newton’s Laws of Motion or coefficient of friction; and the applications section includes a discussion of how Newton’s Laws of Motion apply to daily living or local activity
	Stage 2	Student work may be incomplete and shows limited evidence of knowledge of forces or motion. The lab report may include a preliminary or first draft attempt on the required sections though it contains errors of science fact and reasoning.
	Stage 1	Student work is mostly incomplete and shows misconceptions relating forces and motion.

Standards Cross-References
( Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Standards)

National Science Education Standards

Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied. Laws of motion are used to calculate precisely the effects of forces on the motion of objects. The magnitude of the change in motion can be calculated using the relationship F=ma, which is independent of the nature of the force. Whenever one object exerts force on another, a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction is exerted on the first object. (Page 179)

Waves, including sound and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves, have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter. (Page 180)

Benchmarks

The change in motion of an object is proportional to the applied force and inversely proportional to the mass. (Page 91)

All motion is relative to whatever frame of reference is chosen, for there is no motionless frame from which to judge all motion. (Page 91)

Accelerating electric charges produce electromagnetic waves around them. A great variety of radiations are electromagnetic waves: radio waves, microwaves, radiant heat, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x rays, and gamma rays. These wavelengths vary from radio waves, the longest, to gamma rays, the shortest. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed—the “speed of light.” (Page 92)

Whenever one thing exerts a force on another, an equal amount of force is exerted back on it. (Page 92)

The observed wavelength of a wave depends upon the relative motion of the source and the observer. If either is moving toward the other, the observed wavelength is shorter; if either is moving away, the wavelength is longer. Because the light seen from almost all distant galaxies has longer wavelengths than comparable light here on Earth, astronomers believe that the whole universe is expanding. (Page 92)

Waves can superpose on one another, bend around corners, reflect off surfaces, be absorbed by materials they enter, and change direction when entering a new material. All these effects vary with wavelength. The energy of waves (like any form of energy) can be changed into other forms of energy. (Page 92)

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