Texas TEKS 7.7.D

Science7th GradeForce, motion, and energy

The Standard

analyze the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on the state of motion of an object using Newton's First Law of Motion.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare forces on an object and decide whether the net force is zero. They use the net force to predict whether motion stays constant or changes.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students recognize that balanced forces keep an object at rest or moving at constant velocity. They predict that an unbalanced force changes speed, direction, or both.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think balanced forces mean no forces are present or that the object must stop. They may think motion always requires a forward force. They may also assume an unbalanced force only makes objects speed up.
How to Assess It: Give this exit ticket: A cart moves right at 2 m/s with 5 N pulling each way. Predict its motion, then predict what happens if the left force becomes 8 N.

Lesson moves

Pull a toy cart with spring scales in opposite directions, first using equal forces and then unequal forces, while students record its motion.
Ask students to explain why a rolling ball continues moving after it leaves a hand, then identify forces that eventually change its motion.
Give teams force cards to sort as balanced or unbalanced, then have them predict each object's next motion before checking answers.
Draw a passenger on a bus that stops suddenly, then explain the passenger's motion and how the seat belt changes it.

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