Reading Guide — Chapter 6 — Newton’s Third Law
Pre-reading: Answer the following true or false question…
Action and reaction forces are equal in size and opposite direction.
True
False
Action and reaction forces cancel each other out (THINK).
True
False
Pre-reading: When you read a passage, how do you sort out what is important information and
what is not?
Read section 6.1 on page 74.
What do you think are the three (3) most important sentences in this section? Write them below.
1.
2.
3.
Be prepared to defend why you chose those three sentences.
Read section 6.2.
Look at figure 6.3… explain how it illustrates Newton’s third law.
Draw your own picture that represents Newton’s 3rd law (don’t trace the picture from the book!).
Does a stick of dynamite contain force? Why or why not?
A car accelerates along a road. Strictly speaking, what is the force that moves the car?
Read section 6.3. Your goal is to determine the difference between forces.
Look at figure 6.4…draw 2 examples of your own and label action and reaction.
The earth pulls you (gravity). What is the reaction?
Pre-reading for section 6.4. Answer the following true or false question…
The mass of an object affects the force of it.
True
False
Read section 6.4. You are to determine how mass affects action and reaction.
Using big letters/small letter formulas (like on the bottom of page 77), explain the answer to the question
by Figure 6.7.
Explain the relationship between mass and force.
Pre-reading: Answer the following true or false question…
Action and reaction forces are equal in size and opposite in direction.
True
False
Action and reaction forces cancel each other out (THINK).
True
False
Read section 6.5 on pages 78-79.
Summarize the second paragraph on page 79 in one sentence. No run-on sentences allowed.
Now, redraw figure 6.9. Draw the force vectors and be sure that the vectors are on the proper objects.
Redraw figure 6.10. Draw all of the force vectors once again.
Answer the true/false questions again…
Action and reaction forces are equal in size and opposite in direction.
True
False
Action and reaction forces cancel each other out.
True
False
Read section 6.6 on page 80. DON’T SKIP THE CARTOON!
What is it that really allows the cart to be pulled?
Suppose Mr. Szarzak’s class and Mr. Scott’s class are going to play tug-of-war. Explain (from a physics
perspective) how to coach your team to win. Draw a picture to accompany your explanation.
Read section 6.7. It will accurately sum up the chapter for you.
Staple all 3 Reading Guides Together to complete the set.