Mississippi Science PHY.2.6
The Standard
- PHY.2
- Students will develop an understanding of concepts related to Newtonian dynamics.
Use mathematical and computational analysis to explore forces (e.g., friction, force applied, normal, and tension).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Newton’s Laws
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Draw force diagrams for objects being pushed or pulled. Use force values to find net force and acceleration, then use a spreadsheet to see how changing a force changes the motion.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students label applied force, friction, normal force, and tension when each is present. They account for direction, calculate net force and acceleration, and explain their results using a table or spreadsheet.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often add all forces as positive numbers instead of tracking direction. They may assume normal force always equals weight, even when a rope pulls upward. Some assume friction always equals the applied force.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A 5 kg box is pushed right with 20 N while friction acts left with 5 N on a level floor. Find the net force, acceleration, and normal force using g = 10 m/s².
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Pull a block across a desk with a spring scale, then repeat with felt underneath and record each steady-speed reading.
Ask: Why can a box stay still when you push it, and which force changes as you push harder?
Give pairs cards marked 12 N right and 5 N left; have them race to find net force and acceleration for a 2 kg cart.
Enter pushes of 10, 20, and 30 N into a spreadsheet to predict a 10 kg grocery cart's acceleration with 4 N friction.
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Printable PHY.2.6 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to PHY.2.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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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.2.3
Use mathematical and graphical techniques to solve vector problems and find net forces acting on a body using free-body diagrams and/or online simulations.
- PHS.5.4
Use mathematical and computational analyses to show the relationships among force, mass, and acceleration (i.e., Newton’s second law).
- P.6.6.2
Use mathematical computation and diagrams to calculate the sum of forces acting on various objects.
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