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Momentum and Collisions: The Physics of Impacts (Lesson Plan)

Lesson Plan - Momentum and Collisions: The Physics of Impacts

Understanding how things move and collide may sound like something only scientists do — but in reality, it’s part of everyday life. This lesson plan on momentum and collisions breaks down the key principles behind movement, impacts, and why things bounce, crash, or stop. It’s packed with fun facts, real-world examples, and practical activities that bring physics to life.

Momentum is a measure of how much motion an object has (based on its weight and speed). When things collide, that motion changes — and those changes can be explained using simple rules. Whether your child loves football, roller coasters, or science fiction space battles, this topic connects with what they already enjoy. More importantly, it introduces key physics concepts that are part of the national curriculum for ages 8 to 16.

This lesson plan guides you through teaching the topic at home without needing special equipment. It includes discussion prompts, hands-on activities using everyday objects, creative writing, and critical thinking tasks. All explanations are clear and friendly, with difficult words like “inertia” and “impulse” explained in brackets. By the end, your child will not only understand the physics of impacts — they’ll be able to apply that knowledge to real life.


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