Tug of War Simulation
Stage 5
Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/forces-and-motion-basics/latest/forces-and-motion-basics_en.html
Outcomes: A student applies models, theories and laws to explain situations involving energy, force and motion SC5-10PW
Content: PW2d. analyse qualitatively everyday situations involving motion in terms of Newton's laws
The simulation allows students to quickly visualise the effect of changing one variable on the outcome. The simulation engages students with a familiar activity (tug of war) which activates students’ prior knowledge about forces and with guidance from the teacher and the help of the simulation, students will be able to frame this into a scientific context.
Activity: Teacher will take students out into the playground for a game of tug of war. Teacher will ask students to just think about what is required for a team to win.
Teacher will then ask students to think about a situation.
“Johnny and his seven friends are at the park. They decide that they will play tug of war with a rope. Because there is an odd number of children they decide to split the team into 4 and 3 with the three strongest children on one side.”
Ask students to discuss if this is a fair way of dividing the children.
In the classroom, students will open up the simulation to net force and make predictions on what will happen if one red man is placed on the rope. What about one red and one blue? Two red and one blue?
Whole class will then discuss what criteria is required for cart to remain motionless and to make it move in terms of net forces.
After playing with the simulation, ask students again if they think the park situation was fair.
Stage 5
Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/forces-and-motion-basics/latest/forces-and-motion-basics_en.html
Outcomes: A student applies models, theories and laws to explain situations involving energy, force and motion SC5-10PW
Content: PW2d. analyse qualitatively everyday situations involving motion in terms of Newton's laws
The simulation allows students to quickly visualise the effect of changing one variable on the outcome. The simulation engages students with a familiar activity (tug of war) which activates students’ prior knowledge about forces and with guidance from the teacher and the help of the simulation, students will be able to frame this into a scientific context.
Activity: Teacher will take students out into the playground for a game of tug of war. Teacher will ask students to just think about what is required for a team to win.
Teacher will then ask students to think about a situation.
“Johnny and his seven friends are at the park. They decide that they will play tug of war with a rope. Because there is an odd number of children they decide to split the team into 4 and 3 with the three strongest children on one side.”
Ask students to discuss if this is a fair way of dividing the children.
In the classroom, students will open up the simulation to net force and make predictions on what will happen if one red man is placed on the rope. What about one red and one blue? Two red and one blue?
Whole class will then discuss what criteria is required for cart to remain motionless and to make it move in terms of net forces.
After playing with the simulation, ask students again if they think the park situation was fair.