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...

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...

A random sequence of events are recorded, then shown very slowly (with added emphasis). From a water balloon popping to a slap in the face, see exactly what happens at each stage of an event when it is slowed down enormously. Great for a...

A pile of gunpowder ignites, but very slowly. Spaghetti breaks and thing after thing is shown, very slowly. Have fun in your physics class with this tongue-in-cheek humor and fascinating video. (Note: one "thing" shows a paintball gun...

Here is a nifty instructional activity 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.

A substantial but viewer-friendly selection of slides presents the topics of forces and motion. The simplicity of format and content make this perfectly suited to an introductory physical science course. Slides begin by addressing...

In this math worksheet, students are given 8 questions regarding Kepler's first law of motion. The questions include definitions, short essay explanations, and formulaic expressions.

Here is a rare gem for physics teachers! An engaging collection of slides opens with a question about aiming a slingshot at a monkey as it lets go of the branch from which it hangs. Projectile motion concepts are presented with graphics,...

Three memorable activities build on each other to give physics masters a firm grasp of Newton's Second Law. Pupils play with a lab cart on a flat surface and on an incline to confirm that force is equal to mass times acceleration. In the...

What a great idea for scientific inquiry. This lab was intended for use as children explored a college campus, but it could be used anywhere. They go to three different places on campus and conduct a simple experiment that shows an...

This PowerPoint is a gem! Seventy-eight slides present an entire introduction to matter in bullet-point fashion. Viewers learn about everything from mass and inertia to phase changes and gas laws! The only glitch is that the links to...

Give every type of learner in your physics class an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the year. From analyzing tables and graphs, to evaluating diagrams and solving problems, there is an outstanding variety of...

Twelve pages of mostly multiple-choice questions comprise this comprehensive New York Regents physics exam. It covers an entire year's worth of physics curriculum and requires about three hours for completion. Review the questions to...

Stop and drop what is in your hand! Pupils investigate how form effects drag in the 12th part of a 22-part unit on aviation. Groups create equally weighted objects and determine which one falls the fastest by collecting data.

Groups simulate an orbit using a piece of string and a water balloon. Individuals spin in a circular path and calculate the balloon's velocity when the clothes pin can no longer hold onto the balloon.

Twisting and turning through the sky, roller coasters are popular attractions at amusement parks around the world, but how exactly do they work? Explore the physics behind these thrilling rides with an engineering design activity....

New Newtonians experiment with gravity and weightlessness in this fun activity. They watch as a rubber band, stretched by the weight of a clothespin, returns to its normal shape as they both fall to the ground. Consider having kids video...

It's hard to explain stuff you can't see! But, this animated stick-figure drawing describes dark matter and how we know it exists. It likens the galaxy to a merry-go-round, holding the stars on their circular path. The one-minute...

Some commonly accepted concepts are not completely valid. In this video, the following ideas are thoroughly explained away: Light cannot be effected by gravity Velocity is additive The earth appears to be flat Not only is this an...

Gravity is thoroughly defined in this short, but weighty, featurette. The relationship of mass to force is incorporated, and the idea that gravity can also attract energy is introduced. In a flipped classroom situation, have learners...

Accelerate knowledge of gravitational pull with this activity. Physical science fans drop a golf ball and tennis ball from the same height at the same time and discover that they hit the ground at the same time. This is an ideal...

This lesson certainly will not be a drag! Little engineers design parachutes that make use of air resistance and, as a result, slow the descent of the payload as much as possible. It is an opportunity to teach about many motion concepts:...

Travel through space as you learn about the galaxy, solar system, planets, and much more. An extensive resource for studying astronomy in upper-elementary and middle school classrooms.