Curated OER
Simple Rocket Science
Students demonstrate Newton's Third Law of Motion. They discuss the history of rockets, observe how a rocket works, and draw a picture and write an explanation of the balloon experiment.
Curated OER
Balloon Rocket
Students observe a balloon rocket and how it relates to Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this balloon rocket lesson plan, students make a balloon rocket out of balloons, clothespins, straw, fishing line, and duct tape.
Curated OER
Rocket Pinwheel
Students explore the action-reaction principle of Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this rocketry lesson plan, students construct a pinwheel using a balloon, soda straw, and wooden pencil. Students investigate the results.
Curated OER
Momentum and Conservation of Momentum
In this momentum worksheet, students review the equation to solve for momentum and the Law of Conservation of Momentum. Students complete 8 matching, 6 fill in the blank, and 8 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Newton's Third Law
In this Newton's Third Law worksheet, students complete a table identifying the action force and reaction force of several examples. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of Newton's Third Law by filling in missing blanks and...
Curated OER
How Do Things Move?
In this motion worksheet, students will use a word bank to fill in the definition of Newton's three laws of motion. Then students will complete 4 short answer questions giving examples of Newton's three laws of motion.
Curated OER
Newton in Motion Project
Students investigate Newton's Third Law of Motion as it exits in real world applications. They watch as the teacher makes a simple balloon powered car before explaining how the motion of the car demonstrates Newton's Third Law of Motion....
Curated OER
Blast Off
Students investigate how rocket thrust is generated with propellant. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, discuss Newton's third law of motion, answer discussion questions, and view photos of rockets and rocket designs.
Curated OER
How Do Airplanes Get Off the Ground
Students construct various types of paper airplanes, exploring action and reaction forces by conducting a paper airplane rodeo. Students then discuss how Newton's Third Law of Motion affected their planes.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Horse and Cart
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about Newton's third law of motion, calculations in two dimensions, and the interaction of multiple objects in the context of a horse pulling a cart.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Acids and Bases: Making a Film Canister Rocket
ZOOM cast members mix different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see which combination produces the most carbon dioxide for launching a film-canister rocket. [3:23]
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Aerodynamics: What Causes Lift?
How does an airplane stay aloft when upside down? This media-rich essay from the NOVA Web site offers an explanation based on Newton's third law of motion.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Newton's 3 Laws, With a Bicycle
This video describes Newton's three laws of motion and how they relate to the everyday motion of a bicycle. [3:33] Followed by a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Think Fast!
Are you a piano player or a video gamer? Then you might have a quick reaction time that can come in handy while playing sports. Find out how to measure your reaction time and compare it to your friends and family with this fun experiment.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Newton's 3rd Law: Coin Flick
In this elementary physics investigation, students explore Newton's 3rd Law of Motion: To every action there is an equal & opposite reaction. Pairs of students will line up 5 pennies, (touching each other), between 2 rulers. The row...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Newton's Third Law Through Film Canister Cannons
In this physics lab (best done outside), students will explore Newton's Third Law - 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. Students will fill empty 35-mm film canisters with water and part of an Alka-Seltzer tablet,...
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: School of Physics: Physclips: Newton's Laws
Physiclips thoroughly presents Newton's laws with animations and film clips.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Gravity Force Lab
An interactive simulation that teaches about gravitational force, Newton's Third Law, and force pairs by varying properties affect the gravitational force exerted between two objects. This simulation can either be downloaded or played...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Newton's Third Law of Motion
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students find out about Newton's Third Law of Motion, and explore situations involving multiple objects.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Introduction to Rocket Propulsion
From a chapter on Linear Momentum and Collisions in a Physics textbook. This section of the chapter discusses Newton's third law of motion in the context of rocket and jet engine propulsion. Students learn how to calculate a rocket's...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Newton's Third Law of Motion: Symmetry in Forces
In the following interactive students will begin to understand Newton's third law of motion and also apply it to define systems and solve problems of motion.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Is Newton's Third Law?
Students are introduced to Newton's third law of motion, and then learn that engineers apply Newton's third law and an understanding of reaction forces when designing a wide range of creations, from rockets and aircraft to door knobs,...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Newton's Law of Action Reaction
Understand Newton's Third Law the law of action-reaction in this tutorial.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Linear Momentum and Force: Introduction to Rocket Propulsion
By the end of this section, you will be able to state Newton's third law of motion, explain the principle involved in propulsion of rockets and jet engines, derive an expression for the acceleration of the rocket , discuss the factors...