As part of a larger series, an informative video introduces the concept of perpetual motion machines and the science proving they don't work. The narrator then shares machines that appear to work and highlights the hidden sources of energy.

What is it like to go up in a zero gravity airplane? Physics Girl shares her experiences and the science experiments she brought along as part of her video series. From the way your body feels to the failed experiments, she laughs and...

What happens if you build a skyscraper so tall it breaks the laws of physics? This hypothetical scenario leads to an interesting discussion of Newtonian forces and the imaginary forces that explain them. As part of a larger series on...

What's the best way to learn how watersheds work? Build one! Combining engineering, the water cycle, and ecology concerns, the activity is the perfect fit for an interdisciplinary unit. Teams construct a model watershed with simple...

Host a design challenge of Olympic proportion! Junior engineers build their own bobsleds using simple materials. The activity focuses on kinetic and potential energy and how the center of mass affects motion on a downhill track....

Several times throughout history, groups of soldiers marching in rhythm across a suspension bridge have caused it to collapse. Scholars experiment with pendulums, resonance, and force to determine why this would happen. First, pupils...

Orbit diagrams appear to be a work of mathematical art. The simulation helps scholars build their own systems of planets, stars, moons, etc., to observe their orbits. By altering their positions, velocities, and masses, a variety of...

If scientists can master landing a helicopter on a specific spot, landing a module on the moon shouldn't be that difficult, right? A simulation allows scholars to practice landing on the moon using the actual mass, thrust, fuel...

We have all heard the debate about teaching both theories, but an innovative lesson takes the discussion to a new level. Scholars research and debate Newton's Law of Gravitation versus Einstein's General Theory of Relativity with...

Of quartz I love geology! The chapter offers five activities at three different levels. It features hands-on activities that cover crystal shapes, cleavage and fracture, hardness scale, specific gravity, and mineral identification....

What do magnetic fields look like? The best way to learn about magnetic fields is to try identifying them for yourself. Scholars will understand the importance of magnetic fields after completing this experiment. The extension activities...

Traveling through space is an amazing experience, but it definitely takes a toll on the body. After reading an article and watching a brief video, learners perform an experiment that simulates the effects of zero gravity on the human body.

Stop wasting energy searching for physics resources, this comprehensive collection of worksheets has you covered. Starting with introductions to the scientific method, dimensional analysis, and graphing data, these skills practice...

The cat's out of the bag (or off the leash, in this case) regarding the expansion of the universe. In this intriguing episode, the narrator explains that space is expanding, not the objects within it. He also tells how expansion...

Doesn't the level of the ocean vary from hour to hour and from year to year? Then, what do we really mean by "sea level" when we are talking about elevation? Find out what geodesists, those who work with the math behind the shape and...

Get kids' heads spinning by challenging them to design a top that will rotate for a minimum of 10 seconds without leaving a 30-cm circle. Groups of learners collaborate through a planning stage, testing stage, and evaluation stage. Some...

Is it possible to defy gravity? Not really. With force and inertia, we can act against it for a little while, but, eventually, gravitational force will pull us back to Earth. The relationships among mass, force, and inertia are all...

Here is a nifty learning exercise on energy transfer. Physics fanatics analyze a diagram and state whether or not friction is involved. They sketch bar graphs and draw energy flow diagrams for each system as well. Circular motion,...

Students apply their knowledge of friction, drag, mass and gravity as they design, build, and test mini-bobsleds.

You can make sure your physicists' heads are not spinning when studying circular motion by assigning this worksheet as homework. In it, they describe tangential and rotational speed, define centripetal force, explain why centrifugal...

Follow the adventures of Fluffy, The Wonder Hamster. Junior physicists calculate his weight on different planets, the force of his rocket engine, and the acceleration and velocity of his toboggan. Fluffy will challenge and entertain your...

Your introductory physical science class will be energized by this PowerPoint. They will be able to define energy, work, and power. They will be able to perform calculations for kinetic and potential energy. They will be able to describe...