CK-12 Foundation
Newton's Apple
Scientists state that the higher something is above the earth, the greater the gravitational potential energy. Does this mean there is more gravity acting on the moon than on an apple falling from a tree? Scholars adjust the distance...
CK-12 Foundation
Clarke's Dream
How does satellite TV keep a steady stream when the earth and the satellite are constantly moving? Scholars use a simulator to adjust the radius of orbit of a satellite around the earth. They view graphs of acceleration and time period...
CK-12 Foundation
Horse and Cart
Can a horse pull more than its weight? A simple simulation answers this question and more. Pupils adjust the mass in a cart, the mass of the horse, the acceleration of the horse, and the angle of the tension rope between the horse and...
CK-12 Foundation
Sprinter
Why do sprinters wear spiked shoes? Scholars explore various styles of shoes and how they handle forces when running. Scholars adjust variables including shoe type, horizontal force, surface type, and normal force to determine which...
CK-12 Foundation
Elevator
Do you weigh slightly less when an elevator first starts its descent? The simulation teaches the change in the force based on the acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration of an elevator. Scholars control the mass and acceleration...
CK-12 Foundation
Everglades Airboat
How does an airboat move when there isn't a motor in the water? The simulation teaches the forces related to the thrust and drag on an airboat. Scholars vary the boat mass and thrust force in order to view graphs of the changing force...
CK-12 Foundation
Pirate Ship
Everything that happens is an interaction, from the wind blowing a sail to a cannon ball being thrust out of a cannon. A simulation shows the interactions involving a sail, air, ball, pirate, cannon, deck, ocean, and the Earth and the...
CK-12 Foundation
Ballistics Tests
How did scientists measure the speed of incredibly fast things before the invention of high-speed photography? Scholars virtually perform ballistics tests to discover the process. They control the rifle type, bullet mass, and target...
CK-12 Foundation
Astronaut Training Chamber
Most people realize they would weigh less if they were on the moon, but does it change how much weight you could lift if you were on the moon? Scholars adjust the mass of an object to be lifted and select between four different locations...
CK-12 Foundation
Loop-the-Loop
What prevents a roller coaster from falling when it goes upside down? Scholars experiment with a roller coaster simulation controlling the mass of the coaster, the height of the hill, and the radius of the loop. They learn which factors...
CK-12 Foundation
Malt Shop
How does the soda clerk know exactly how to get the glass across the counter to the customer? Pupils use the simulation to adjust the launch velocity, glass weight, base area, surface material, and the customer's position to answer that...
CK-12 Foundation
Airplane
How does an airplane control its take off and descent? Scholars explore the forces acting on an airplane and control the angle of attack, wing profile, thrust, and airplane size. They learn about lift, drag, thrust, gravity, and the...
CK-12 Foundation
Hot Air Balloon
How can people control a hot air balloon? The simple simulation allows scholars to adjust the payload mass, burner, and vent position on a hot air balloon and observe the changes in velocity and altitude over time. Challenge questions...
CK-12 Foundation
Bow and Arrow
Where does the energy of an arrow come from? Is it from the person, the bow, or somewhere else? A simulation allows scholars to adjust the stretch distance and the elastic constant in order to understand where the energy comes from, what...
CK-12 Foundation
Cliff Diver
Cliff diving is more than an adrenaline rush ... it's a lesson in physics! Scholars adjust the height of a cliff and plot the resulting velocity and position over time on graphs. They also can incorporate air resistance to monitor the...
CK-12 Foundation
Prom Night
Create the perfect prom night image using the Law of Reflection! An interactive lesson explores angles of reflection when looking in a full-length mirror. Learners change the distance from the mirror and length of the mirror and watch...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Determine Distance: Tree Shadows
Why is that shadow getting longer? Determine the changes in the length of a shadow as the sun changes position in the sky. Individuals use an interactive to calculate the length of a shadow at different times during the day via the...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Determine Distance: Ladders
Young mathematicians to the rescue! Pupils use an interactive to find lengths relating a ladder against a building. The problems involve determining how long a ladder must be to reach a given floor to what floor can a given ladder reach.
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Classify Triangles: Missing Angles
Learn to use the Pythagorean Theorem with non-right triangles. Pupils use the interactive to discover the relationship between the lengths of sides for acute and obtuse triangles. They compare the squares of the sides of the triangles to...
CK-12 Foundation
Identifying Sets of Pythagorean Triples: The iPad is a Pythagorean Triple
Compare iPad and HDTV aspect ratios. Individuals use the interactive to determine whether the measurements of screens represent a Pythagorean triple. The pupils determine what changes are needed to make a Pythagorean triple.
CK-12 Foundation
Lengths of Triangle Sides Using the Pythagorean Theorem: Find the Missing Side
What is the relationship between the sides of a right triangle? Learners use an interactive to create models of right triangles and view the relationship between the lengths of the sides. They finish by using the Pythagorean Theorem to...
CK-12 Foundation
Identifying Sets of Pythagorean Triples: Matching Problem
What sets of whole numbers make up the measures of side lengths in right triangles? Pupils use an interactive triangle to learn about Pythagorean triples. Individuals find missing values in triples and learn more about Pythagorean...
CK-12 Foundation
Exponent Properties with Variable Expressions: Size of Solar Tornadoes
Exponents may have your pupils' heads spinning after an engaging lesson as they connect properties to tornadoes! Learners compare a distance between cities to the distance across a solar tornado. They use exponent properties to find the...
CK-12 Foundation
Exponent Properties with Variable Expressions: Integer Powers
Exponent properties can be complicated for learners. A creative lesson seeks to simplify the concept and build a solid understanding. Young mathematicians have the opportunity to create numerous expressions and analyze the simplified...