Lesson 1
Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
Begin dynamics by identifying forces, representing the forces acting on one object, and distinguishing individual forces from their net force.
Dynamics and Forces
Lesson sequence
Work through Dynamics and Forces in order
Lesson 2
Newton’s First Law and Inertia
Connect zero net force with constant velocity, explain why ordinary objects stop, and relate an object’s inertia to its mass rather than its speed.
Lesson 3
Newton’s Second Law: Force, Mass, and Acceleration
Use net force and mass to predict acceleration, distinguish mass from weight, and connect a force diagram to a signed Newton’s second-law equation.
Lesson 4
Newton’s Third Law: Interaction Force Pairs
Identify equal-and-opposite interaction forces, distinguish them from balanced forces on one object, and use system boundaries to decide which forces belong on a free-body diagram.
Lesson 5
Newton’s Laws in Practice: Free-Body Diagrams and Net Force
Move from a physical situation to a free-body diagram, separate force equations by axis, and interpret the sign of a calculated acceleration.