Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Effect of Friction on Objects in Motion

For Students 6th - 8th
The funny thing about friction is that you couldn't get anywhere without it, yet it still acts to slow you down as you're getting there. Here is an easy project to measure the effects of friction.
Unit Plan
E-learning for Kids

E Learning for Kids: Science: Pirates: What Are Some Forces Around Us?

For Students 4th - 6th
Covers the meanings of force, friction, and gravity, and the differences between magnetic and elastic spring force, and between weight and mass. The effect of air resistance on an object's motion is also touched upon.
Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Effects of Force

For Students 3rd - 5th
Explore the effects of forces around us in the world.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Episd: Force Coefficients

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Understand the effects of magnitude of force pairs between objects. Know the differences between kinetic and static friction.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Friction Force

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics to help conceptualize and understand the force of friction. Specifically, they observe how different surfaces in contact result in different frictional forces. A LEGO robot is constructed to pull a...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: The Force of Friction

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In the first of two lessons of this curricular unit, students are introduced to the concept of friction as a force that impedes motion when two surfaces are in contact. Student teams use spring scales to drag objects, such as a ceramic...
Interactive
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Newtons Laws: Rocket Sledder Interactive

For Students 9th - 10th
Experience the effect of friction, air resistance, and applied force upon a sledder. The speed, acceleration, and force values are displayed as the sled moves. Learners can vary the mass of the sledder and the size of the parachute...
Unit Plan
Other

Mechanical Systems

For Students 5th - 8th
A collection of resources on how humans use machines and tools to meet their needs. Covers simple and complex machines, subsystems that transfer forces, mechanical advantage, speed ratio, the effect of friction, efficiency, the science...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating the Inclined Plane Through Inquiry

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students will use different materials to find the most effective way to use an inclined plane (in other words, moving an object with as little force as possible). This is a guided inquiry. Although the students will be...
Interactive
Walter Fendt

Walter Fendt: Inclined Plane

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is an interactive app of an inclined plane showing the effect of the angle, the weight of the block, and the friction as a block is pulled up an incline.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Newton's Second: Having a Ball With Motion

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students will create a gravity ball launcher to demonstrate their understanding of mass, force, momentum, and motion. The students will use critical thinking, measurement, and observation and analysis of data to make changes and improve...
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Physics: Classical Mechanics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
College-level online course highlighting the study of classical mechanics. This course focuses on Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and kinetic gas theory. Course features include a 35 video lecture series by Walter Lewin. Also link...
Activity
University of Oregon

Uo: Cannon Simulator: Experimental Instructions

For Students 9th - 10th
This virtual experiment is designed to let the student measure the relation between muzzle velocity (which determines projectile energy), gravitational potential and the effects of frictional drag caused by wind speed blowing opposite to...