The Physics of Skateboarding
Content Inside: NSF GK-12 Graduate Fellows Program NSF GK-12 Graduate Fellows Program Award DGE-0139171 University of North Carolina at Wilmington University of North Carolina at Wilmington The Physics of Skateboarding by Elizabeth Buda, Department of Biological Sciences Activity aligned with the 2001 North Carolina Standard Course of Study for 8 th Grade Science: Goal 4 Activity Instructions Skateboard Project: What would Isaac Newton think if he were to ride a skateboard? Background: www.exploratorium.org/skateboarding (This website leads you and the students through a lesson on motion and forces and how they relate to skateboarding. It covers anything from the way the board is constructed to the tricks performed.) Objectives covered: 4.01Analyze gravity as a universal force. 4.04Determine how the force of friction retards motion. 4.06Apply Newtons Laws of Motion to the way the world works. **Can be expanded to an explanation of 4.05 (Describe and measure quantities that characterize moving objects and their interactions within a system. Materials: Internet connection * Tony Hawk Video * Skateboards Powerpoint * Optional Procedure: This is a great illustration of motion and forces that the kids will relate to. Use the website if you need something to take you through step by step, or have the kids do this individually. Use either the website, video, or real people skateboarding. The kids can watch how the rider moves the skateboard and what forces are involved in each movement. Applications: 1. Apply Newtons Laws to skateboarding. 2. Illustrate how friction retards motion and how that can be partially overcome. 3. Illustrate how gravity affects motion. 4. Illustrate how an objects motion is always judged relative to some other object or point. 5. Help describe and measure quantities that characterize moving objects and their interactions within a system. To understand how skaters turn in midair, try this little experiment. You can do it on your own, but an assistant to help ...
Source: www.uncwil.edu
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