| Lesson Plan |
| Grade: |
Date: 25/02/2026 |
| Subject: Physics |
| Lesson Topic: Describe the motion of objects falling in a uniform gravitational field with and without air/liquid resistance, including reference to terminal velocity |
Learning Objective/s:
- Describe the motion of objects in free fall and in a resisting medium.
- Explain how air or liquid resistance modifies acceleration and leads to terminal velocity.
- Calculate terminal velocity for linear and quadratic drag using the given formulas.
- Compare free‑fall and resisted‑fall distance‑time and speed‑time relationships.
- Identify common misconceptions about falling objects and correct them.
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Materials Needed:
- Projector or interactive whiteboard for slides and equations.
- Printed worksheet with practice problems on terminal velocity.
- Small objects for demonstration (steel ball, feather, parachute toy).
- Stopwatch and meter stick for a simple drop experiment.
- Calculator or computer simulation software (e.g., PhET drag simulation).
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Introduction:
Begin with a short video of a sky‑diver and a feather falling, asking students what they notice. Review the constant‑acceleration concept from previous lessons. Explain that today they will explore how resistance changes motion and define terminal velocity. Success criteria: students will be able to describe, explain, and calculate these effects.
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Lesson Structure:
- Do‑now (5’) – Question: “If two objects of different mass are dropped in air, will they hit the ground at the same time? Why?” Collect responses.
- Mini‑lecture (10’) – Review free‑fall equations and introduce linear and quadratic drag with diagrams.
- Demonstration (8’) – Drop a steel ball and a feather (or parachute toy) and discuss observed differences; link to drag concepts.
- Guided practice (12’) – Calculate terminal velocities for both drag models using worksheet problems; work in pairs.
- Concept‑mapping (8’) – Complete a comparison table of free fall vs resisted fall (net force, acceleration, speed‑time, distance‑time, terminal velocity).
- Check for understanding (5’) – Quick quiz (exit ticket) with three short questions on definitions and calculations.
- Summary discussion (5’) – Review key points and address misconceptions.
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Conclusion:
Recap that resistance reduces acceleration and leads to a constant terminal speed that depends on mass, shape and the surrounding medium. Students write one sentence on their exit ticket describing terminal velocity. For homework, assign a problem set requiring calculation of terminal velocities for various objects in air and water.
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