Newton’s Olympics

Brief description
Title of the game Mechanics
(Explain how the game is governed by the laws of motion)
Bouncing Basketballs Students will experience and observe Newton’s Third Law of The ball is tossed in the air to start the game. One of the
Motion while playing basketball. While playing we will exert players deflects it to a teammate. It is dribbled and passed
different amounts of force to bounce the ball. We will among the teammates to protect the ball and to make a
observe that the more force we exert downward on the ball, goal. The basket or the hoop is placed horizontally at the
the more force the ground exerts up on the ball, causing it height of 10 feet on a back board. Each team tries to
the bounce higher. protect the goal on their side while trying to make a goal on
the opponent’s side of the court.
The opposite team tries to get the ball, take control of it
while bouncing and tries to grab it while it is passed among
the team mates to prevent a goal. When a player commits
a foul, the other team gets a chance of free throw or to
inbound the ball. Each goal carries two points and each
free throw one point. The team with higher score wins the
game. Players may be substituted when a substitute asks
for it.
The game starts when the referee throws a jump ball. In the
international sport, each game is divided into four 10
minute periods. However, if there’s a tie between the teams
they play for an extra period of 5 minutes.
After the first period and after the third period, the players
take a 2-minute break. After the second period the players
take a 15-minute break and exchange baskets. After a
break, the last player holding the ball throws the ball in and
starts the next period.
The play time may also be increased if a foul is committed
 just before the time ticks off. In such cases a free throw is
granted despite the time lapse.
If a player throws the ball before the time lapses, but the
ball flies down the basket after the timer ticks off, the goal is
still considered.

Move a Ball Students will experience Newton’s first law of motion. Have
students share their observations with the class. The general
Explain to students that they will be completing an activity
that will help them observe forces in action. Have students
take away of the activity is that, when the forces are equal read the instructions, and then review the following points
on the ball and in opposite directions, the ball does not as a class:
move. When the forces are unequal, the ball moves or
changes direction. 1. The object of the game is to use forces to get the ball
into your opponent’s goal area.
2. Straws cannot touch the ball.
3. You must keep your hands behind your back.
4. Do not touch the table.
5. Blow gently and take your time. If you feel dizzy at any
time, stop and tell your teacher.
Allow students to play the game for about 10 minutes. As
they play, students should keep score and think about the
way in which balanced and unbalanced forces play a role in
the game.

Bicycle Race with a twist Students will experience the second law of motion. The Riding bicycle is a good example of this law of motion at
greater the mass of the object being accelerated, the greater work. Which is bicycle is the mass, leg muscles pushing on
the amount of force needed to accelerate the object. the pedals of the bicycle is the force. When student push on
the pedals, the bicycle accelerates. The students are
increasing the speed of the bicycle by applying force to the
pedals.
For example, you have two identical bicycles that each have
a basket. One bicycle has an empty basket. One bicycle
has a basket full of bricks. If you try to ride each bicycle and
 you push on the pedals with the exact same strength, you
will be able to accelerate the bike with the empty basket
MORE than the bike with the basket full of bricks. The bricks
add mass to the second bicycle. With bricks in the basket,
you would have to apply more force to the pedals to make
the bicycle with bricks in the basket move.

Tug of War In this activity, students will experience the third law of
motion. In this activity, students play tug o' war to experience
In this activity, the rope is the means to transfer forces. The
first team to tug is the action force, causing the pull on the
the push-pull of forces, exploring Newtons' Third Law of rope, as the reaction force , the other teams rope end
Motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite "feels" the pull. IF the second team initiates a pull, this is a
reaction. second action force!

What To Do
1. Split students into two teams.
2. Each team pulls as hard as they can to try to make the
other team fall or pull the handkerchief over a
designated line.
3. Last team standing wins.