Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Dynamics: friction force

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

Setting clear objectives is vital for focusing both students’ and the teacher’s attention on the learning goals for the lesson. By clearly outlining what is expected, this section acts as a roadmap for the upcoming activities, ensuring everyone is aligned and prepared to reach the desired outcomes.

Objective Utama:

1. Ensure that students can clearly distinguish between static friction and kinetic friction, understanding the specific conditions where each type applies.

2. Develop the capability to calculate static and dynamic friction force in real-world scenarios using the formula F=µN.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage students to think critically about physics concepts by applying them to practical, real-life situations.
2. Foster collaboration among students during hands-on activities, promoting peer learning.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This introduction is meant to engage students with the lesson's topic, using real-world problems to spark their curiosity and connect to prior knowledge. By contextualizing the theoretical concepts, we increase interest and relevance in the study of friction while preparing students for practical activities, ensuring they feel motivated and understand the importance of the lesson.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Picture a car struggling to get out of a parking lot up a slight incline after a snowfall. The driver steps on the gas, but the wheels just spin. What’s causing this standstill?

2. Think about a physics textbook sitting on a table. When attempting to slide it over, it takes an initial push greater than necessary to keep it moving. How can we understand this behaviour through static and dynamic friction?

Contextualization

Studying friction is key not just in physics but in many practical fields like engineering, industrial design, and sports. The distinctions between static and dynamic friction can be illustrated through everyday experiences, such as trying to nudge a heavy piece of furniture or stopping a car on icy roads. These relatable scenarios help us appreciate the significance of friction and how it impacts our everyday actions and choices.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The Development stage is crafted to enable students to put the concepts of static and dynamic friction into practice through interactive and enjoyable tasks. This part aims to reinforce theoretical knowledge through hands-on experiments and teamwork, encouraging problem-solving and applying physical calculations in real-life contexts. Each activity is designed to stimulate critical thinking and creativity as students collaborate to tackle tangible challenges.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Challenging Friction: The Stuck Cart Mystery

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Gain practical understanding of the differences between static and kinetic friction and how factors like surface and weight influence an object’s movement.

- Description: Students will be placed in groups, and each will get an 'experiment cart' (a toy cart equipped with different surfaces and weights). They will investigate and explain why the cart struggles to move under varying conditions of surface, incline, and weight, utilizing the concepts of static and kinetic friction.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Receive an adapted cart along with a selection of surfaces and weights.

• Test the cart under different scenarios and record your findings.

• Identify the static and kinetic friction forces acting on the cart in each case.

• Prepare a presentation to explain your results and their relation to the concepts we've studied.

Activity 2 - The Great Sliding Books Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply the formula F=µN to calculate static and kinetic friction in a hands-on situation, enhancing understanding of physics principles.

- Description: In this activity, students will investigate static and kinetic friction by attempting to slide books over various surfaces. The goal will be to determine the coefficient of friction and compare static and kinetic friction across different scenarios.

- Instructions:

• Organize into teams of up to 5 students.

• Receive a set of books and various surfaces for testing.

• Use a dynamometer to measure the force needed to slide the books on each surface.

• Calculate the coefficient of friction and compare it to theoretical values.

• Compile a report including graphs, calculations, and conclusions about the different types of friction.

Activity 3 - The Skater’s Escape: Investigating Friction on Ice

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand how dynamic friction varies with different materials and conditions, applying friction concepts in a sporting context.

- Description: Students will simulate a skater's movement on ice and examine the conditions affecting dynamic friction. Using skater models and different materials to simulate 'ice' (including various kinds and quantities of dry ice), they'll explore how kinetic friction changes.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group will receive a skater model and materials to simulate ice.

• Experiment with different combinations of skaters and ice surfaces.

• Measure the distances traveled under different conditions and record your findings.

• Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction for each situation and discuss the results.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This feedback stage aims to reinforce the learning experience gained during practical activities, allowing students to articulate and share their insights. Through group discussion, students can reflect on their learning journey, clarify any uncertainties, and, importantly, recognize the relevance of static and dynamic friction concepts in real-world scenarios. This exchange of ideas enhances the internalization of concepts and readies students for their future applications.

Group Discussion

Once the hands-on activities are complete, gather all students for a group discussion. Begin by briefly recapping the essential concepts of static and dynamic friction. Encourage each team to share their findings and observations, focusing on how they used formulas and theories to overcome the challenges presented. Use specific questions to ensure that all key points have been addressed.

Key Questions

1. What were the main obstacles faced when differentiating and calculating static and kinetic friction during the practical activities?

2. How did changes in surface types and weights influence the outcomes of the friction experiments?

3. In what ways can understanding static and dynamic friction be applied in everyday life or other branches of physics?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Conclusion stage ensures that students consolidate the understanding gained during the lesson, linking theory with practice in a clear and meaningful manner. Recapping key points helps reinforce retention and comprehension, while discussing real-world applications reaffirms the importance of what has been learned. This stage is vital for ensuring that students can apply their acquired knowledge to new situations and contexts, while also preparing them for future studies and practical applications.

Summary

In concluding, the teacher should summarize and recap the key concepts discussed about static and dynamic friction, highlighting the formulas and the conditions of application for each type. It is essential for students to leave with a clear grasp of what they've learned, reinforcing the significance of distinguishing and calculating the forces of static and kinetic friction.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was designed to seamlessly integrate theory with practice. Through hands-on activities, students could directly apply formulas and theoretical concepts in real-life scenarios, leading to a deeper and more concrete grasp of physical phenomena. This method not only supported their learning but also showcased the importance of static and dynamic friction concepts in everyday contexts and professional applications.

Closing

Ultimately, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of studying friction. Grasping these concepts not only enhances theoretical physics knowledge but is also essential for numerous practical applications, from technological advancements to everyday safety. The ability to predict and manipulate frictional forces can lead to significant improvements in both personal and professional contexts.