Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Gyroscopic Effects: Vector Aspects of Angular Momentum
By the end of this section, you will be able to describe the right-hand rule to find the direction of angular velocity, momentum, and torque; explain the gyroscopic effect; and study how Earth acts like a gigantic gyroscope.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Circular Motion
In this interactive activity featuring videos adapted from the Rutgers PAER Group, students will observe examples of circular motion. Students will then find a common reason why the objects and people presented move in a circle. Includes...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Circular Motion
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In the following lesson students will be asked to analyze and describe accelerated motion in two dimensions using equations including circular examples.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Circular Motion Study Guide
This study guide on circular motion covers key terms, centripetal force, linear vs. circular motion, precession, and equations. Includes four example problems with detailed solutions. The guide is available for download with free...
MadSci Network
Mad Scientist Network: How Can a Gyroscope Defy Gravity
Explanation of the seemingly gravity-defying feats of a gyroscope. Focuses on the reason behind its operation. Includes illustrations.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Bottle "Tops"
Learn about rotation and balance in this hands-on science experiment. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of how wobbling affects the "spin time" of an object due to it being unbalanced.
Pennsylvania State University
Acoustics and Vibration Animations: Demonstrations: The Simple Pendulum
A series of graphics, downloadable animations and text describe and explain the motion of a pendulum. Some sections require an understanding of calculus.
University of Guelph
University of Guelph: Physics Tutorials: Torque and Angular Acceleration
Words and equations are used to explain the relationship between angular acceleration and the torque exerted upon an object. Well-written; great graphics.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Constant Acceleration
This activity assesses students' knowledge and understanding of constant acceleration.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Circular Motion
This activity will examine the student's comprehension of the basic rotational motion concepts in the field of physics.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Circular Motion
In UCM, the net force called Fc is equal to mv2/r and is directed toward the center. This is demonstrated by an object that is suspended by a string and is moving in a circular path which makes a conical pendulum. In this experiment, you...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: The Soup Roll
A lab activity written for grade 5. Students roll various cans down inclined planes and compare the times required to reach the bottom. Results are related to rotational inertia.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Lab Activity: Tops
The Illinois Institute of Technology provides a lab activity on precession and spinning tops. Designed for primary grades, but easily adapted for any level. Includes directions and assessment ideas.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Circular Motion Lab
In this activity learners use a homemade circular motion machine to investigate the variables that affect circular motion. The students then graph their data in order to find mathematical relationships between the variables they have...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: What on Earth Is Spin?
Why is the spinning motion so special? Brian Jones details the dizzyingly wide array of ways that spinning affects our lives. [3:57]
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Circular Motion
Students learn about uniform and non-uniform circular motion in this illustrated article.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Bicycle Wheel Gyro
Description of a museum exhibit in which the spinning bicycle wheel induces the rotation of a student in a rotating chair. Excellent demonstration idea.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Gyroscope
Description of a museum exhibit in which the forces exerted by two gyroscope wheels are analyzed. Excellent demonstration idea.
Other
Fearof Physics: Videos
Looking for some more explanantion on a topic covered in physics class? This site contains videos that explore some physics concepts. Videos are broken down by topics. Some videos also give examples on how to solve problems.
Other
Glenn Turner: Gyroscope Math Page
The mathematics associated with gyroscopes can be investigated through this interactive page. Users enter critical parameters about gyroscopes and rotational motion descriptors are given.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Spinning Blackboard
Explore the effects of drawing in a straight line within a rotating frame of reference. This activity requires a turntable. If this is unavailable, a cake turntable with a glued-on center post might work as well.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Spinning Cylinder
Explore the motion of a cylinder that spins around its axis at the same time as it rotates around a line that is perpendicular to this axis.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Squirming Palm
Create this optical illusion that incorporates what is known as the waterfall effect.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Water Spinner
A student demonstration which illustrates that rotating water has a curved surface called a parabola.