Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Dynamics: Centripetal Force

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is essential to direct the focus of students and the teacher towards the specific learning goals of the class. By clearly establishing what is expected to be achieved, students can better prepare and engage in practical activities. In addition, this section helps ensure that everyone involved has a common understanding of what is fundamental to grasping the topic of Centripetal Force.

Main Objectives:

1. Enable students to calculate the centripetal force in curvilinear motion using the formula F = mv² / R.

2. Develop the ability to apply the concept of centripetal force in solving practical problems, such as the motion of an object in a curve.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage critical thinking and the application of physical concepts in everyday situations.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of the Introduction stage is to engage students by recalling problem situations they may have encountered in their prior studies, stimulating the activation of prior knowledge and preparing them for the practical application of concepts in class. Additionally, the contextualization aims to show the relevance of the topic in daily life, increasing students' interest and curiosity.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a car racing on a racetrack that needs to make a sharp turn at a speed of 100 km/h. If the radius of the turn is 20 meters, what is the centripetal force acting on the car?

2. Consider a roller coaster that, upon descending from a tall hill, enters a sharp turn at 60 km/h. The radius of the turn is 10 meters. What would be the centripetal force experienced by the passengers at that point on the roller coaster?

Contextualization

Centripetal force is a fundamental concept in many everyday situations, from vehicle mechanics in curves to the sensation of 'push' we feel on amusement park rides. Understanding how this force is calculated and the effect it has on objects in curvilinear motion not only enriches theoretical knowledge but also enables students to visualize physics in action in the real world.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to enable students to apply the theoretical concepts of centripetal force in a practical and interactive way. By working in groups, they can explore real situations and build models that demonstrate how centripetal force operates. This approach not only reinforces theoretical learning but also develops teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Each activity is carefully planned to be engaging and educational, ensuring that students can see physics in action and understand its application in the real world.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Curve Racing

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply the concept of centripetal force in practice, develop calculation and logical reasoning skills, and understand the importance of physics in real situations.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people, and each group will represent a team of racetrack engineers. They will be tasked with designing a curve for a racing car on a Formula 1 circuit, considering safety and the physics involved, especially the centripetal force. Each group will receive a set of initial data such as the car's speed and the turn's radius, and they must calculate and propose changes to the design to ensure the car can safely navigate the curve.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group receives a kit of initial data that includes the speed of the car and the radius of the turn.

• Students must calculate the centripetal force necessary for the car to safely navigate the turn.

• Based on their calculations, groups should propose improvements to the curve's design, such as increasing the radius or reducing the speed.

• Present their solutions to the class, justifying the proposed changes.

Activity 2 - Paper Roller Coaster

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the practical application of centripetal force in a controlled environment, promote teamwork, and stimulate creativity and ingenuity in solving problems.

- Description: In this activity, students will build a mini roller coaster with paper and other lightweight materials. The challenge will be to make a paper cart 'travel' through the roller coaster and pass through a section of curves where the centripetal force will act. Groups must calculate the force needed to keep the cart on the track and adjust the roller coaster design if necessary.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute materials such as paper, adhesive tape, straws, and small weights.

• Students must design and construct a section of curves on the roller coaster.

• Calculate the centripetal force the cart will experience at each curve.

• Test the cart on the roller coaster and adjust the design as needed.

Activity 3 - The Great Gyroscope

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Directly experience the effects of centripetal force, understand the principles of the gyroscope, and develop practical and theoretical skills in physics.

- Description: Students will build a small gyroscope using a CD, a needle, and counterweights. They will explore how centripetal force keeps the gyroscope in motion and how different configurations affect the device's behavior. Each group must calculate and adjust the counterweight to study the changes in forces acting on the gyroscope.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide a kit with CDs, needles, counterweights, and adhesive tape.

• Instruct students to assemble the gyroscope and observe its behavior.

• Calculate the centripetal force acting on the gyroscope with different counterweight configurations.

• Record and discuss observations and calculations with the class.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim of this stage is to consolidate students' learning by allowing them to verbalize and reflect on what they have learned through practical activities. This discussion helps to identify areas that may need further clarification and deepening, in addition to reinforcing the application of the concept of centripetal force in real and theoretical contexts. The exchange of ideas between groups also promotes a broader understanding of the topic, as different perspectives and approaches are shared.

Group Discussion

To initiate the group discussion, the teacher should ask each group to share their findings and experiences from the activities performed. It is suggested that the teacher utilize a rotation approach, allowing each group to present their main conclusions and the challenges encountered. The teacher should also encourage students to discuss variations and unexpected results, promoting critical reflection on what was learned.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges your group faced when applying the concept of centripetal force in the practical activities?

2. How did the changes proposed by your group affect the final outcome of the project, and why?

3. In what ways can the understanding of centripetal force be applied in everyday situations or in other areas of physics?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated view of the content learned, as well as understanding the practical and theoretical importance of centripetal force. Recapping the key points helps reinforce learning and ensures that students can apply the concepts in future contexts. Additionally, highlighting the practical applications of the topic aims to increase interest and appreciation for the acquired knowledge.

Summary

In the Conclusion stage, the teacher should summarize the main points discussed throughout the class, emphasizing the formula for centripetal force F=mv²/R and how it was applied in practical activities such as curve racing, the paper roller coaster, and the gyroscope. It is important to recap the calculations made and the solutions proposed by the groups.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson connected theory with practice by allowing students to apply the concepts of centripetal force in real situations and physical modeling. The practical activities not only reinforced theoretical learning but also demonstrated the relevance of physics in everyday and industrial applications, such as in racetrack design and amusement park rides.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the importance of studying centripetal force, as it not only aids in understanding physical phenomena in our daily lives but is also essential for engineers and designers in various fields. Understanding and being able to calculate centripetal force allows for predicting and optimizing the behavior of objects in curvilinear motion, ensuring safety and efficiency in numerous practical applications.