In this activity, students use rubber bands to demonstrate and measure equal and opposite forces. Extension ideas are provided for digging deeper to help solidify the concept for students. Most students have the sense that only people can exert a force such as a push--and don't realize that walls, tables, the ground, etc can push things too. This surprising fact is fundamental to understanding Newtons 3rd law of motion. 
 
Concepts Addressed
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The forces are opposite in direction and equal in degree, (the accelerations--change in movements depend on the size of the object being moved).
Forces always come in pairs.

Materials Needed per setup: per setup: 2 metersticks, assorted rubber bands, string
 
Prep Needed  Gather supplies

Teaching Time   20-30 min
 
Related Labs Motion and Newton's Laws

Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.

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Connect with me: If you have questions or problems, please let me know and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

 

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