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Motion and forces
Motion and forces · Year 10 Science · Science understanding
These lessons move from how we describe motion to Newton’s three laws, with SI calculations using . Work through the units in order if you are new to the topic, or open the part you need.
Checklist wording (official): Motion and forces (curriculum) · Knowledge check: Motion and forces
Units
| Unit | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 · Velocity and acceleration | Opens with an interactive track; then speed vs velocity, acceleration, and a preview of net force. |
| 2 · Inertia and first law | Opens with the puck / friction sim; then first law, inertia, mass, friction and air resistance. |
| 3 · Force, mass and acceleration | Opens with explorer; then law, units, rearrangements, worked examples. |
| 4 · Interaction pairs (third law) | Opens with two-cart sim; then pairs on different objects, book on a table, common mistakes. |
Big-picture outcomes
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
- Use velocity and acceleration language correctly and see why net force matters for changing motion.
- State Newton’s first, second and third laws and recognise them in everyday situations.
- Calculate acceleration from net force and mass, or net force from mass and acceleration, in SI units.
- Identify third-law pairs (same type of force, opposite direction, equal size, on different bodies) and not mix them into on one object.