Mississippi Science PHS.5.4
The Standard
- PHS.5
- Students will analyze the scientific principles of motion, force, and work.
Use mathematical and computational analyses to show the relationships among force, mass, and acceleration (i.e., Newton’s second law).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Newton’s Laws of Motion
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students calculate force, mass, or acceleration from measurements. They use graphs and spreadsheet tables to show how acceleration changes when net force or mass changes.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given cart data, a student calculates the missing value with correct units. They show that doubling net force doubles acceleration when mass stays fixed. They graph acceleration against net force in a spreadsheet and explain what the graph shows.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may use the force of a push instead of the net force after friction. They may confuse speed with acceleration. Some think doubling mass doubles acceleration, even when net force stays the same.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A 2 kg cart has a net force of 6 N. Find its acceleration, then find its acceleration if the mass doubles and the net force stays 6 N.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Pull a cart one meter from rest with a spring scale, keeping the force steady; add washers and calculate acceleration from travel times.
Ask: Two carts have equal net force, but one has twice the mass. Which accelerates more? Defend your answer with numbers.
Give pairs a spreadsheet with a fixed mass and changing net forces; have them calculate accelerations and graph acceleration against net force.
Compare loaded and empty shopping carts under the same net force; calculate their accelerations and explain which speeds up faster.
Free download
Printable PHS.5.4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to PHS.5.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- PHY.2.5
Use mathematical and computational analysis to derive simple equations of motion for various systems using Newton’s second law (e.g., net force equations).
- PHY.1.3
Use mathematical and computational analysis to solve problems using kinematic equations.
- PHY.2.1
Identify forces acting on a system by applying Newton’s laws mathematically and graphically (e.g., vector and scalar quantities).
- PHY.2.6
Use mathematical and computational analysis to explore forces (e.g., friction, force applied, normal, and tension).
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson