WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Physical Science – Senior High School, Quarter 2, Week 2A

Laws of Motion
Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ____________________

Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC)

1. Compare and contrast the Aristotelian and Galilean concepts of vertical motion,
horizontal motion, and projectile motion. (S11/12PS-IVc-46);
2. Explain how Galileo inferred that objects in vacuum fall with uniform acceleration, and
that force is not necessary to sustain horizontal motion (S11/12PS-IVc-47);

Learning Objectives:
After going through this learning activity sheet, I should be able to:
1. compare and contrast Aristotelian vs. Galilean views on motion;
2. describe how Galileo inferred that objects in vacuum fall with uniform acceleration and that
force is not necessary to sustain horizontal motion;
3. solve problems related to velocity and acceleration.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Key Concepts
Aristotle thought that heavy objects fall faster than light objects in proportion to their
weight. Galileo argued that the motion of a falling body should be nearly dependent of its weight
and should have constant acceleration through careful measurements of distances and time
experiments.
There are several physical quantities that helps described motion of objects. Here are some
of them:
• Distance is the length of the part travelled from starting point to final point.
symbol: ∆𝑑
S.I unit: [m]
• Displacement is the length of the part travelled from the starting point to final point with
consideration to the direction.
symbol: ∆𝑑⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
S.I unit: [m]

(Image Source: posterenvy.com)

Figure 1. Displacement vs. Distance

* Speed is the rate at which distance is covered.

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙
∆𝑑
symbol: 𝑣 =
∆𝑡
S. I. unit: [m/s]

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School 1
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
 • Velocity is the displacement in a given time interval.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙
∆𝑑
𝑣=
∆𝑡
S.I. unit: [m/s]

(Image Source: posterenvy.com)

Figure 2. Velocity vs. Speed
• Acceleration is a measure of how fast the velocity changes with respect to time.
Accelerating means moving faster/moving slower and/or changing direction,
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙
⃗
∆𝑣
symbol: 𝑎 =
∆𝑡
S.I. unit: [m/s2]

(Image Source: slideshare.net)

Figure 3. Acceleration
• Free fall-a body in vertical motion where gravity is the only force acting on it. It could be
an object thrown upward (positive initial velocity), thrown downward (negative initial
velocity) or dropped (zero initial velocity).

(Image Source: slideplayer.com)

Figure 4. Free fall
• Projectile- a body or a particle in two-dimensional motion given an initial velocity and it
moves along a curved path under the influence of gravity alone (see Figure 5).

(Image Source: You and Natural World-Physical Science)

Figure 5. Projectile’s trajectory

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School 2
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
 Aristotle and Galileo were two of the most important historical figures that laid the
foundation of motion concepts. Their views regarding motion may be opposite but both helped the
progress of science.
Table 1. Views on Motion

Motion Aristotelian Concept Galilean Concept

Horizontal Force is required to maintain horizontal Objects moving in a straight line at a

motion motion. constant speed requires no force to keep
them moving.
All moving bodies naturally come to rest
It will continue in motion due to inertia
unless an external force acts on them.
Vertical motion A. Freefall is a natural motion occurring A. Objects move downward because
due to the tendency of nature to gravity disturbs their motion.
established balance to bring disturbed
elements to its natural resting place. B. The rate of fall or acceleration of an
object is independent of their mass.
B. Heavier objects have more earthly
elements than lighter ones hence they The motion of falling objects is
fall should fall faster. It will take uniformly accelerated.
shorter time to reach the ground

C. Warmer bodies have an access on fiery

elements hence they ascend faster.

Projectile The motion of a projectile is parallel A projectile moves two-dimensional

motion to the ground until it is the object's time motion in a parabolic path
to fall back into the ground.
The horizontal motion component has
zero acceleration (constant speed
horizontally) and vertical acceleration is
constant.
In recent times, the motion of falling bodies has been studied with great precision. When
air resistance can be neglected, all bodies experience equal acceleration regardless of their size
and weight. This constant acceleration g is called the acceleration due to gravity. The standard
value of g at or near the earth’s surface is approximately 9.8 m/s 2.
Objects in Vacuum Fall with Uniform Acceleration
Galileo was interested by the behavior of falling objects. He knew that as falling objects go
down, they increase their speed as they go down. This change in speed is acceleration. Although
he did not have any tool to measure this change, so he used inclined planes to reduce the
acceleration of the moving bodies. He was then able to take a close look at the moving bodies
carefully.
With his experiments, Galileo proved that regardless of their masses and air resistance two
objects dropped simultaneously will reach the ground at the same time. He also discovered that
objects fall with uniform acceleration.
On his experiment, he had observed the following:

(Image Source: dev.physicslab.org)

Figure 6. Galileo ramp

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School 3
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
 • After every second, a ball rolling down an inclined plane increases its speed by the same
value.

Table 2. Galileo’s Data on a Free Fall Experiment

Time (s) Speed (m/s) Acceleration (m/s2)
0 0
1 2 ≈2
2 4 ≈2
3 6 ≈2
4 8 ≈2
6 10 ≈2
• The acceleration of the rolling ball increases as the inclined plane becomes steeper.
• When the inclined plane was positioned vertically, the rolling ball has maximum acceleration.
What is uniform or constant acceleration?
For Galileo, constant acceleration means steady, incremental additions of velocity evenly
proportionate to time. The following graphs show the comparison between motion of objects with
constant velocity no object with constant acceleration.
Constant Velocity Constant Acceleration

Negative Positive Negative

Positive Velocity Velocity Acceleration Acceleration

(Image source: You and the Natural World – Physical Science)

Figure 7. Comparison Between Constant Velocity and Constant Acceleration
Positive velocity-indicates the object moves toward the positive direction
Negative velocity- indicates the object moves toward the negative direction
Positive acceleration-indicates the object is speeding up
Positive acceleration-indicates the object is slowing down
To have a constant velocity, an object must have a constant speed (steady) in a constant
direction. If an object maintains a constant or a uniform change in its velocity in a given time
interval along a straight line, then it is said to have a constant acceleration.
Force is Not Necessary to Sustain Horizontal Motion

Aristotle believed that forces are necessary to keep objects in motion. Although a force is
needed to start an object moving, Galileo believed that force was not necessary to sustain motion
and did this experiment:

(Image source: You and the Natural World – Physical Science)

Figure 8. Galileo’s Experiment on Sustaining Motion

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

4
School/Station: Las Nieves National High School
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
 Galileo rolled balls down inclined planes and observed and recorded the gain in speed as
the rolling continued. On downward-sloping planes, the force of gravity increases a ball’s speed
while on an upward slope, the force of gravity decreases a ball’s speed. If smoother planes were
used, the ball rolled up the opposite plane closer to the initial height. The difference between
initial and final heights was because friction. He postulated the ball would reach exactly the same
height if friction could be eliminated.

With regards to the ball rolling on a level surface, the ball neither rolls with nor against the
vertical force of gravity. It neither slows down or speeds up. It maintains a constant speed. Galileo
reasoned that a ball would move forever if it is in horizontal motion. If friction were entirely absent
once it is moving, no force is needed to keep it moving except for the force needed to overcome
friction. A moving object needs no force to keep it moving. when friction is absent. Such ball would
remain in motion all by itself of its own inertia.

Sample problems:

1. Leo traveled 500 m from their house to a shopping mall to meet a friend. Upon reaching the
mall, his friend texted that he cannot come. Sadly, Leo went back home following the same
path. (a) What was the total distance Leo travelled? (b) What was his displacement? If the
entire trip took 15 mins, what were his (c) speed and (d) velocity?

Given: 500 m = distance from Leo’s house to the shopping mall

20 mins = time travel for the round trip

T = 20 mins ≈ 1200 s

Solution:

a. Let d be the total distance Leo traveled.

d= 500 m + 500 m = 1000 m

b. Consider the displacement from Leo’s house to the mall as directed to the right and
therefore positive. Hence, the displacement from the mall to Leo’s house is directed to
the left and is negative.
d= 500 m – 500 m = 0

∆𝑑
c. : 𝑣 = = 1000m / 1200 s = 0.8333 m/s
∆𝑡

d. Since the total displacement is zero, Leo’s velocity is zero.

2. A roller coaster is moving at 25 m/s at the bottom of the hill. Three seconds later it reaches
the top of the hill moving 10 m/s. What was the acceleration of the coaster?

Given: vi = 25 m/s
vf = 10 m/s
t=3s

⃗
∆𝑣
Solution : : 𝑎 =
∆𝑡

= 10 m/s- 25 m/s
0-3 s
= 5 m/s2

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School 5
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
 Activity 1. Compare Our Laws

What you need:

Pen, paper

What to do:
Show how the Aristotle’s concepts of vertical motion, horizontal motion and projectile
motion is similar and different from Galileo through a Venn diagram. 1 point for each correct
answer.
Aristotelian Galilean

Both

Activity 2. Galileo Make It Easy

What you need:
Pen, paper
What to do:
Write a short discussion explaining how Galileo inferred that objects in vacuum fall with
uniform acceleration and that force is not necessary to sustain horizontal motion.
Rubrics

5- Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, and has no

misconception

3 – Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, but with minimal
misconception
1 – practical application is explained consistent to the concepts, but with misconception

0 – No discussion

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School
6
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
 Activity 3. Time to Solve

What you need:

Pen, calculator, paper

What to do:
Solve the following problems and show your solutions.

1. A race car accelerates uniformly from 18.5 m/s to 46.1 m/s in 2.47 seconds. Determine
the acceleration of the car and the distance traveled.

2. A baseball is thrown a distance of 60 meters. What is its speed if it takes 0.5 seconds to
cover the distance?

Reflection

What to do:
Discuss the following briefly. Write your answers in a separate answer sheet.
1. Cite practical applications of laws of motions in your day-to-day activities.

Rubrics

3 - Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, and has no

misconception

2 – Practical application is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, but with minimal
misconception
1 – Practical application is explained consistent to the concepts, but with misconception

0 – No discussion

References for learners:

Religioso, T.F., & Cordero-Navaza, D. (2017). You and the Natural World- Physical Science.
Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Department of Education Central Office. Most Essential Learning Competencies (2020)

Department of Education. Project EASE Physics Module 10: Force and Motion (Learning Resource
Management Development Systems, 2003)

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School 7
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph
Answer Key

Activity No. 1 Compare Our Laws

Answers may vary

(Possible answers)
All moving bodies
It will continue in
naturally come to motion due to inertia
rest. Laws of motion
unless an external
force acts on them.

Activity No. 2 Galileo Make it Easy

Answers may vary

(Possible answer)

Galileo proved with his experiments that when objects are dropped simultaneously, they
will reach the ground at the same time regardless of their masses and air resistance. In another
set of experiments, he discovered that objects fall with uniform acceleration. Galileo was fascinated
by the behavior of falling objects. He knew that falling objects increase their speed as they go down.
This change in speed is acceleration. However, he did not have any equipment to measure this
change, so he used inclined planes to lessen the acceleration of the moving bodies. He was then
able to investigate the moving bodies carefully.

Activity No. 3 Time to Solve

⃗
∆𝑣
1. 𝑎 =
∆𝑡
(46.1 m/s - 18.5 m/s)/(2.47 s)
a = 11.2 m/s2
d = vi*t + 0.5*a*t2
d = (18.5 m/s)*(2.47 s)+ 0.5*(11.2 m/s 2)*(2.47 s)2
d = 45.7 m + 34.1 m
d = 79.8 m

∆𝑑
2. 𝑣 = = 60 m/0.5 s = 120 m/s
∆𝑡

Author: Adelyn G. Siega - Patatag

School/Station: Las Nieves National High School
8
Division: Agusan del Norte
email address: adelyn.patatag@deped.gov.ph