Newtonian Mechanics refers to motion that obeys Newton’s Laws. Generally speaking, objects that are not supermassive, superfast or fantastically small are going to obey Newton’s Laws. That means “you-sized” objects in a “you-like” world. Kinematics refers to an examination of how things move (Where? When? How fast?). One-dimensional means linear. So, in a nutshell, we’re looking at how “you-sized” things in a “you-like” world move in straight lines. 🙂

RESOURCES FOR THIS UNIT

• Lesson Plan with Objectives and Homework Assignment
• Guided Notes
• Lab 1 – Uniform vs. Accelerated Motion
• Lab 2 – Acceleration due to Gravity

HELPFUL WEBSITES & RESOURCES

• Frame of reference videos: Retro-cool
• Analysis of kinematics graphs with animations (This one is good…and at the bottom of the page click “next” to go on.)
• The following animations from a website called The Physics Classroom are also helpful with basic concepts. Of particular interest are the ones I highlighted.
  • Average vs. Instantaneous Speed
  • Hot Wheels Track
  • Acceleration vs. Constant Velocity
  • Constant Rightward Velocity
  • Constant Leftward Velocity
  • Rightward Velocity with a Rightward Acceleration
  • Rightward Velocity with a Leftward Acceleration
  • Leftward Velocity with a Leftward Acceleration
  • Leftward Velocity with a Rightward Acceleration
  • Passing Lane – Position vs. Time Graph
  • Passing Lane – Velocity vs. Time Graph
  • The Stoplight
  • Motion of a Two-Stage Rocket