Wentzville School District
Curriculum Development Template
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Unit 6 Momentum
Unit Title: Momentum
Course: Physics
WSD Overarching Essential Question
Students will consider…
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How can one explain the interactions of
matter?
How can one explain and predict the
interactions between objects and within
systems of objects?
How can one predict an object’s continued
motion, changes in motion, or stability?
How can one explain and predict the variety of
interactions observed?
Why are some physical systems more stable
than others?
How is energy conserved?
How is energy transferred between objects or
systems?
How are forces related to energy?
If energy is conserved, why do people say it is
produced or used?
How are waves used to transfer energy and
information?
How are instruments that transmit and detect
waves used to extend human senses?
WSD Overarching Enduring Understandings
Students will understand that…
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Scientific questions need to be asked so they
can be tested empirically and structured in the
form of testable predictions.
Data must be collected to address scientific
questions and support predictions.
Data analysis is conducted to search for
regularities and patterns in observations and
measurements.
Evidence and scientific knowledge is used to
construct scientific explanations, models and
representations.
Mathematical reasoning and quantitative
applications can be used to interpret and
analyze data to solve problems.
A critical interdependence exists among
science, technology, and society.
Changes in the natural and designed world are
caused by interactions.
Interactions of an object with other objects
can be described by forces that can cause a
change in motion of one or both interacting
objects.
The interaction of an object with other objects
is governed by conservation principles.
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Interactions of an object with other objects
can be described and explained by using the
concept of the transfer of energy.
Attractive and repulsive interactions at a
distance can be described using the concept of
fields.
Transfer
Transfer Goal
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
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Use given information about a real-world problem or situation in order to determine other information
about the problem or situation.
Use critical reading skills to analyze written statements of problems for what is given and what is being
asked.
Practice a step-wise approach to problem solving that integrates assimilated knowledge to solve
complex and multi-step problems.
Meaning
Essential Questions
Understandings
Students will consider…
Students will understand that…
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What would happen if every person in Asia
jumped in the air at the same time?
What are the merits of being hit by an object
elastically and inelastically?
Why are your chances for survival better if you
land on an air mattress versus the black top?
What would happen if an elephant that is
standing on a frozen lake was hit in the trunk
by an arctic mosquito?
How can you verify that total momentum is
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The time it takes to change momentum from
its initial value to zero can determine
magnitude of the force necessary to facilitate
the change.
Total momentum is conserved, regardless of
the type of collision.
Momentum is proportional to both the mass
of an object and its velocity.
conserved?
Acquisition
Key Knowledge
Key Skills
Students will know…
 p = mv
 momentum
 Impulse-Momentum Theorem
 Impulse
 Momentum is always conserved.
 Elastic and inelastic collisions
 During elastic collisions momentum and
energy are conserved.
 During inelastic collisions only momentum is
conserved.
Students will be able to….
 Set up equations and solve problems involving
the Law of Conservation of Momentum.
 Set up equations and solve problems involving
the Impulse-Momentum Theorem.
 Explain and state examples of real-world
consequences of momentum and changes of
momentum.