1. P.FM.03.36
Relate a change in motion of an object to the force that
caused the change in motion.
Activity: Changing Motion
Question
How does force change the motion of an object?
Engage
1. Working as a team, use the materials provided to change the motion of the toy
car using each of the forces listed.
Materials: matchbox car, two rulers, and one piece of copy paper, books from
desks
Explore
2. Students must be able to demonstrate any of the changes they write down.
3. In the chart below, rite a description of how you used the force to change the car’s
motion.
4. Students should use each of the forces at least once, and then you can describe
new ways of using some of the forces a second time.
While students are working talk to them about ways to:
 Speed up, slow down, stop, start, or change the direction of their
car
 Suggest using their partner’s hands or books as a stopping force
 Use the paper to crumple up and smooth out for slowing down
with friction
 Using the rulers & book to make a ramp to show how gravity
will change motion
Explain
MEAP Clarifications
• Forces cause changes in motion.
• Forces cause objects to slow down, speed up, change direction, stop or start.
• A change in motion is to slow down, speed up, stop, start, or change direction.
• The emphasis of the expectation is for students to identify the force that
causes the change in motion. These forces include gravity, sliding or rubbing
to stop, start or slow things down: pulling, as with a rope; and pushing.
• Force descriptions are limited to people, machines, wind, and water

2. Students fill in the claim/evidence page
Claims Evidence
I used force to pushed the car hard / soft The car went faster / slower
My partner’s hand stopped the car My partner’s hand caused greater force
Rolling over the crumpled paper made The bumpy paper rubbing on the wheels
my car slow down caused friction
Elaborate
After discussion with claims/evidence have students try other ways to change
motion.
Evaluate
I learned page
Help students come up with statement using the lesson question.
Starter Statement: I learned that forces change the motion of the matchbox car.
Vocabulary
Students should use these words and labels in their writing and drawings:
• Speed, speeding up, slowing down, faster, slower, stop, start, change of
motion, change of direction, moving away from

3. Change Motion
Goal: You will become aware ho how forces can change the motion of an object.
Directions:
1. Working as a team, use the materials provided to change the motion of
the toy car using each of the forces listed.
2. You must be able to demonstrate any of the changes you write down.
3. In the chart below, write a description of how you used the force to
change the car’s motion.
4. You should use each of the forces at least once, and then you can
describe new ways of using some of the forces a second time.
Force Used Description of how you used the force to change
the motion of the car
Push
Pull
Gravity
Friction

5. 5. Claims Evidence
I know that ... I know this because …

6. I Learned