1. Newton in space
Unit 1 Lesson 4

2. What is this about?
In Lesson 1 we investigated moving objects in space.
In Lesson 2 we discussed how to use power tools in space.
In Lesson 3 we discovered what happens to liquids in space.
In Lesson 4 we bring it all together by looking at Newtons Laws as they apply to a microgravity environment.
3. Newtons First Law of Motion
There are two parts to Newtons First Law of Motion:
An object at rest tends to remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside/unbalanced force
If you sit a ball down it will stay where you left it unless someone or something moves it.
An object in motion tends to remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside/unbalanced force
If you kick the ball it will keep going unless it rubs on the ground, falls to the ground because of gravity, slows because of the air.
4. Newtons First Law in Microgravity
The first part of Newtons First Law of Motion is an object at rest.
If you sit a pencil down in the shuttle while it is on orbit what will happen to it?
The second part is an object in motion.
What would happen if you gave that pencil a push?
5. Newtons Second Law of Motion
F=mA
Force is equal to the mass and acceleration of an object
This also deals with inertia which is the resistance to a change in velocity
If you try to push a stopped car it is hard to get moving.You need force to accelerate the mass.
You do not want to be in front of the car you just got started moving.The car has a mass and acceleration and therefore a force.
6. Newtons Second Law of Motion in Microgravity
You are an astronaut on orbit that must grab a satellite and put in the cargo bay of the shuttle.The satellite has a large mass.It is tough to get it started in the direction you want it to go.What happens if you grab it with the robotic arm of the shuttle and you move it (accelerate it) too fast?
7. Newtons Third Law of Motion
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
This is one we have discussed and one that you have a lot of experience with.
You push on a wrench and it pushes back on you.If you can put enough force on the wrench it will make the bolt or screw or. Tighten.
8. Newtons Third Law of Motion in Microgravity
What happens if you tighten down a bolt in microgravity and the bolt stops but you are still putting pressure on the bolt?
How would you be able to continue to put an unequal and opposite force on the bolt so that you can continue to tighten it?
9. So
In this lesson we will be putting Newtons Laws to the test.