NEW AQA GCSE (2016) Physics - Moments & Equilbrium

This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Physics GCSE, particularly the ‘Forces in Action’ SoW.

For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience

The lesson begins with a diagram of two children sitting on a see-saw, that is not balanced. This shows that the anticlockwise moment of child A about the pivot is larger than the clockwise moment of baby B, and so the see-saw is not in equilibrium. Students will then be asked to consider what could be done to balance the see-saw, some should recognise that the larger child could be moved closer to the pivot. This is then explained in terms of anticlockwise and clockwise moments, using the formula W1d1 = W2d2. Students are shown a worked example, as well as the definition of the principle of moments.

In the next activity, students will need to complete a results table by calculating the anticlockwise and clockwise moments, and stating whether it is balanced or not. The answers this task are included, so students can mark their work.

The next slide demonstrates how to rearrange the above equation in order to calculate the weight or distance from the pivot for an object. Using this worked example, students will now need to complete a set of questions on moments and equilibrium. This task can be self-assessed or peer-assessed using the mark scheme provided.

Next, students are shown a method and a diagram of apparatus used to investigate the weight of a beam. Students can then follow the instructions on the method sheet provided to conduct this investigation themselves. Students can use a tabletop scale to measure the weight of the beam used to confirm weight obtained during the investigation.

The last task of the lesson is a set of exam-style questions on moments & equilibrium. The mark scheme for this task is included in the lesson, so students can assess their own work.

The plenary task asks students to create three quiz questions to test their peers knowledge of what they have learned this lesson.

All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)