Motion and Forces in the Medical Field: Where Physics Meets Patient Care"

Introduction

As someone coming from the medical field, I’ve always been more focused on human anatomy, health, and healing — but as I’ve gone deeper into my studies, I started realizing how important physics, especially motion and forces, is in our daily practice. Whether it’s performing CPR, lifting a patient safely, or understanding how a prosthetic limb moves, physics is constantly involved in medical work.

This WebQuest is a chance for you to see what I’ve been learning too — that science doesn’t exist in separate boxes. Biology, physics, and health are all connected. Through this activity, we’ll explore how motion and forces are used in real-life medical settings — and by the end, you’ll create something that shows how physics is actually saving lives.

Task

In this activity, you’ll explore the relationship between motion, forces, and healthcare. Your goal is to:

  • Choose one real-world medical process or tool where motion and forces play a role

  • Research and explain the science behind how it works

  • Create a final output (poster, slide deck, or short video) that includes:

    • A clear explanation of your chosen topic

    • How motion and force are involved

    • A visual (diagram or image)

    • A personal reflection on what you learned

Process

Here’s how I approached this, and how you can too:

  1. Start with the basics

    I revisited Newton’s Laws, concepts like acceleration, force, mass, and friction — all of which are involved in patient care, equipment use, and even emergency response.

  2. Choose a focus from the medical field

    I chose a topic I’m already familiar with from my medical background. You can pick something like:

    • CPR and chest compressions

    • Prosthetic limbs and biomechanics

    • Safe patient handling and lifting techniques

    • Physics of ambulance motion

    • Rehabilitation machines or robotic surgery

  3. Do your research

    I used websites, videos, and even some of my own medical training materials to understand the physics behind the topic I chose. Focus on how motion and forces are applied — not just what’s happening, but why it works.

  4. Create your output

    Whether it’s a poster, video, or presentation, make it clear and educational. Include:

    • An overview of the medical tool/procedure

    • The science (motion and forces) behind it

    • A diagram or visual

    • Your reflection as a student with a medical background

  5. Submit or share

    Once you're done, share your work. This isn’t just a physics assignment — it’s a way to show how science and medicine work together.

Evaluation

Evaluation – Rubric

Criteria 4 – Excellent 3 – Good 2 – Needs Some Work 1 – Incomplete
Physics Concepts Clearly and accurately explained, with depth Mostly accurate, good explanation Some misunderstanding Very limited or incorrect
Medical Connection Strong, practical connection to real healthcare Clear connection, some depth Vague or underdeveloped Not clearly related
Creativity & Visuals Creative and easy to understand, strong visuals Good design, basic visuals Needs more effort/clarity Unclear or no visuals
Reflection Honest and insightful reflection from medical perspective Thoughtful but basic reflection Brief or generic No personal reflection
Conclusion

As someone in the medical field, this activity helped me appreciate how much physics is involved in what we do — even if we don’t always think about it. From life-saving procedures like CPR to technologies like prosthetics and mobility aids, understanding motion and forces allows us to improve patient care, safety, and outcomes.

I hope this WebQuest helps you see that too. Whether you plan to work in healthcare or not, knowing how science applies in real life is powerful — and it makes you think differently about the work we do every day.

Credits

These are some of the resources I found helpful in my own learning: Khan Academy – Newton’s Laws HowStuffWorks – How Prosthetics Work PTProgress – Physics in Physical Therapy CPR & Physics Article National Geographic – Robotic Surgery You can also use your own textbooks or previous clinical notes if you have access to them.

Teacher Page

Prepared By: Avid Lur Ann Casuyon

Bachelor of Science in Biology Major in Medical Biology

 

Title: Motion and Forces in the Medical Field: Where Physics Meets Patient Care"

 

Grade Level:

Grade 8 (Junior High Science Students)

 

Subject Area:

Science – Physics (Motion and Forces)

With integration of Health Sciences / Medical Biology