CK-12 Foundation
Bowling Alley
Sometimes it appears that a bowling ball slides down the alley rather than rolling, while other times it appears to switch rolling directions at some point. Scholars control the bowling ball size, initial rotation, initial speed, 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...
Space Awareness
Let's Break the Particles
Build learning by breaking atoms! Young scientists study the way energy changes with a hands-on activity. As they roll steel marbles down a ramp, learners test the hypothesis that kinetic energy does not go away with friction or...
Urbana School District
Forces
Is your class struggling with Newton's Second Law? Then show them a presentation that covers everything physics scholars need to know about forces. Starting with gravity, the slides focus on Newton's Laws of Motion, and end with an...
Teach Engineering
Sliders (for High School)
Slip sliding away. Groups investigates the two types of friction by running an experiment that allows them to calculate the coefficient of static friction and the coefficient of kinetic friction. The experiment uses a box, a basket, and...
Curated OER
Friction and Inclined Planes
Teaching about inclined planes may seem like an uphill battle, but there's a straightforward way to do it. An Honors Physics presentation covers static and kinetic friction, the forces of friction, and inclines. Additionally, it includes...
Curated OER
Work Done by a Constant Force WS
In this work worksheet, learners determine the amount of work done on moving objects given the speed of the objects. They also determine the work done on objects given the measurement of force and the angle above the horizontal at which...
Curated OER
Kinetic Energy, Work-Energy Theorem, and Work Done by a Variable Force
In this kinetic energy learning exercise, students solve six problems including finding work, determining kinetic energy, finding the coefficient of kinetic friction and finding work done on objects by air resistance and friction.
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Factors Affecting Friction
Students investigate the effect of weight on normal friction or the friction due to surface roughness. They tell about the effects of contact area that occurs as a result of molecular attraction by looking at data on line graphs.
Curated OER
Sliders - Static and Kinetic Friction
Young scholars work in groups to conduct experiments the demonstrate the differences between static and kinetic friction. They consider how friction affects us in our everyday lives, determine the effects of weight on friction and...
Curated OER
E3 Ret Lesson Plan
Students explore friction. In this physics lesson plan, students will cover metal blocks with film to determine the changes caused by static and kinetic friction.
Curated OER
Power and Conservation vs. Non-Conservative Forces
In this power worksheet, 12th graders solve four problems including calculating work done by friction, determining work done by gravity and the calculating the minimum horsepower needed to save a ship that is sinking.
Curated OER
TE Activity: Does Weight Matter?
Young scholars design and conduct experiment to determine if weight added incrementally to an object affects amount of friction encountered when it slides across a flat surface. They graph data from their experiments, and calculate...
Curated OER
Discovering Friction
Students watch a demonstration that introduces them to the idea that friction is a force that impedes motion when two surfaces are in contact. They work in groups to experiment with frictional force using a coffee cup on which they alter...
Curated OER
Coefficient of Kinetic Friction and Surface Area
Students investigate coefficient of friction with respect to surface area and applied force in contact with the sliding force.
Curated OER
Sliding and Stuttering
Students measure frictional force existing between a moving cup and the surface it slides on. They conduct the experiment and answer discussion questions.