Unit Lesson Plan – Kinematics in 2D
Teacher:
<Teacher>
Grade:
Time Frame:
11, 12
School:
Subject:
6 days
<School>
PSI AP Physics C
NGSS DCI:
AP Physics C Standards:

This unit includes topics necessary for later units.

2. Motion in two dimensions, including projectile motion
a) Students should be able to add, subtract, and resolve
displacement and velocity vectors, so they can:
(1) Determine components of a vector along two specified,
mutually perpendicular axes.
(2) Determine the net displacement of a particle or the location of
a particle relative to another.
(3) Determine the change in velocity of a particle or the velocity of
one particle relative to another.
b) Students should understand the general motion of a particle in
two dimensions so that, given functions x(t) and y(t) which describe
this motion, they can determine the components, magnitude, and
direction of the particle’s velocity and acceleration as functions of
time.
c) Students should understand the motion of projectiles in a uniform
gravitational field, so they can:
(1) Write down expressions for the horizontal and vertical
components of velocity and position as functions of time, and sketch
or identify graphs of these components.
(2) Use these expressions in analyzing the motion of a projectile
that is projected with an arbitrary initial velocity.
Essential Questions
(What questions will the student be able to answer as a result of the instruction?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is kinematics?
How is distance different from displacement?
How is speed different from velocity?
How can acceleration change?
How do 2 dimensions affect projectile motion?
Knowledge & Skills
(What skills are needed to achieve the desired results?)
By the end of this unit, students will know:
 Displacement and distance
 Velocity and speed
 Acceleration
 Free fall
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
 Solve problems using kinematics equations
 Use graphs to describe motion
 Use calculus to solve kinematics problems
 Solve kinematics problems in 2 dimensions
Note that this exact Smart Notebook presentation has not been used in the classroom, although all of the
material has. The pacing below is approximate based on a 40-45 minute class period. Feel free to adjust as
necessary and please provide your feedback!



Kinematics equations
Velocity and position by integration
Graph interpretation
Assessment
(What is acceptable evidence to show desired results (rubrics, exam, etc.)? Attach Copy
During the Smart Notebook lesson designed to introduce concepts, students will be continually questioned on these
concepts using a combination of class work/homework questions and the SMART Response system. Classwork and
Homework questions will be discussed as a class and misconceptions will be addressed by the teacher prior to the
formal evaluations listed below.

Kinematics 2D Test
Other assessments on the NJCTL website are optional and can be used as needed.
(What is the sequence of activities, learning experiences, etc, that will lead to desired results (the plan)?
Topic
Classwork
Homework**
1
Vector Notation
Presentation slides 1-23
MC 1-20 & FR 1-4
2
Projectile Motion
Presentation slides 24-53
MC 21-30 & FR 5-8
3
Uniform Circular Motion &
Relative Motion
Presentation slides 54-92
Finish all MC & FR
4
Projectile Motion Lab
(Marble Launcher)
Lab
Finish Lab
5
Review MC
Review
Study for test
6
2D Kinematics Test
Test
Review next unit
Day
* It may not be possible to complete labs in the order stated due to lab schedules. Other labs on the
NJCTL website are option and can be used as needed.
**HW Problems are currently not scaffolded from least to most difficult, but are instead listed in order of
topic. Teacher should pay special attention at the end of each class period when assigning HW so that
only problems related to the topic that was taught are being assigned.
www.njctl.org
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