Unit 7: Physics Basics · Lesson 1
Physics Basics - Lesson 1
What this lesson is for
- Students will explore and observe Physics Basics - Lesson 1
- Students will describe what they learned about God's creation
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psalm 19:1
The Study of Motion and Energy
Physics is the branch of science that studies matter, energy, and how they interact — especially motion, forces, heat, light, sound, electricity, and magnetism. Physics is the most fundamental natural science; chemistry and biology rest on physical laws.
God built the universe to operate by precise, mathematical laws that physicists work to discover. Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Michael Faraday were all devout Christians who saw physics as thinking God's thoughts after Him.
Describing Motion
To describe motion, we first need a reference point — a fixed location from which we measure position. All motion is relative to a reference point.
Position: where an object is relative to a reference point. Described with direction and distance (e.g., 3 meters north of the door).
Distance: total length of the path traveled — a scalar (magnitude only, no direction). Unit: meters (m).
Displacement: the straight-line change in position from start to finish — a vector (has both magnitude AND direction). Example: you walk 5 m east, then 3 m west → displacement = 2 m east; distance = 8 m.
Speed
Speed = how fast an object moves (distance per unit time)
Formula: speed = distance / time (d = rt → s = d/t)
Units: m/s (SI), km/h, mph
- Average speed: total distance ÷ total time (smooths out variations)
- Instantaneous speed: speed at any given moment (what a speedometer reads)
Example: A car travels 150 km in 3 hours → average speed = 150/3 = 50 km/h
Velocity
Velocity = speed IN A SPECIFIC DIRECTION — a vector.
Speed is 60 km/h. Velocity is 60 km/h north.
A car going around a circular track at constant speed is constantly changing velocity (because direction changes). This is why circular motion requires a force.
Acceleration
Acceleration = the rate of change of velocity (change in speed OR direction)
a = (v_f - v_i) / t
Units: m/s² (meters per second squared)
- Positive acceleration: speeding up
- Negative acceleration (deceleration): slowing down
- Changing direction at constant speed = acceleration (direction change)
Example: A car accelerates from 0 to 30 m/s in 10 s → a = 30/10 = 3 m/s²
Creation Connection
"He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." (Job 26:7)
Job 26:7 — written thousands of years ago — describes Earth hanging in space "upon nothing" (without visible support). Modern physics confirms Earth orbits the Sun through the precise balance of gravity and inertia. The laws of motion that govern this are not coincidental — they reflect the mathematical mind of the Creator.
Homework
Write a short paragraph about Physics basics - lesson 1.
Note for the parent
Today's lesson covers Physics Basics - Lesson 1. Estimated time: 45 minutes. Encourage independent work but be available for questions.
The first three of this lesson's 10 questions
What is physics?
Show the answer
Answer: The study of matter, energy, and their interactions — especially motion, forces, heat, light, sound, electricity
Distance differs from displacement in that displacement ___.
Show the answer
Answer: is a vector — straight-line change in position with direction
The formula for speed is ___.
Show the answer
Answer: s = d / t
Another 7 questions follow in the lesson itself, each one graded the moment it is answered.