Terra Payton – Newton’s 1^st Law Demonstration

          Use a cart, a stuffed animal (preferably a beanie baby type that allows for movement) and masking tape.

          First, place stuffed animal on cart and push hard to roll cart across table.  Have something sturdy on the other end for cart to crash into.  When cart crashes, the stuffed animal should fly forward even though cart has stopped.  This demonstrates Newton’s 1^st law and the effectiveness of seatbelts.

          Now, using masking tape, “seatbelt” stuffed animal in place on the cart and repeat demonstration. 

          During both demonstrations, have students point out the unbalanced forces acting on the cart and stuffed animal.