It's an ocean rescue mission! Groups must find a pilot downed off the coast of the Chesapeake Bay. Rescuers must determine the distance needed to travel as well as the heading to get to the pilot's last known position. Taking...

Take a look at an organized physics course. The 34-section electronic textbook covers material in AP® Physics 1 and 2. Teachers use the text to supplement lectures and have the class work through the labs. Each section contains...

Learners are introduced to the concept/idea of a vector, what it represents and why they are used. They develop an understanding of what vectors are, how and why they are used.

Scholars examine the application of torque in relation to motion by viewing a comprehensive presentation that explains the basic concepts related to torque and rotational motion. The lesson ends with examples showing how to calculate...

Students use vector analysis to examine the concept of dead reckoning. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, complete a Vector Voyage Worksheet with the teacher, answer discussion questions, and use the Pythagorean Theorem for speed...

Students explore Newton's laws, including what they state, and what the intuitive meaning is of the first and third laws.

Fifth graders are introduced to Newton's First Law of Motion. In groups, they describe the differences between balanced and unbalanced forces. They participate in experiments that demonstrate how equal and opposite forces act upon...

In this equilibrium worksheet, students complete 10 multiple choice and fill in the blank questions about mechanical equilibrium and the support forces involved.

An interactive lesson explores the effect of force angles on resulting forces. Learners adjust angles of strings supporting hanging portraits and watch the effects on the resultant force. Vector diagrams provide a visual representation...

What kind of pears do electricians eat? Amperes! Presentation begins with electric field vectors for various charge configurations and field strengths for both point charges and uniform fields. It continues with various surfaces,...

Some consider physics the branch of science concerned with using long and complicated formulas to describe how a ball rolls. This presentation, while long, is not complicated, yet it covers rolling, falling, and more. It compares vectors...

In this forces worksheet, students draw the indicated vector and show the components into which it is resolved and then calculate for acceleration, speed, or momentum. This worksheet has 12 word problems.

In this Investigating force, acceleration and velocity worksheet, students read story problems involving constant velocity and acceleration, create a diagram of the problem, and consider the forces acting upon the item discussed. They...

Learners are introduced to the physics of flight through video and PowerPoint presentations. They construct and fly model gliders and compete for height, distance, time, etc.

Preparing for an AP test is about more than bubble sheets and memorization. The two activities in this resource require a direct application of skills learned throughout an AP Physics course.

Most pupils learn quickly how to apply Newton's Second Law equation to calculate net force. However, many struggle to determine net force before calculating the value of an unknown force from a force diagram. As part of a larger series...

Learners design and build their own truss. In this physics lesson, students calculate the forces and maximum load. They complete a full scale diagram of their design.

For this energy, work and power worksheet, students solve 12 problems about circuits, electric motors, Ohm's Law and electric currents.

Why do planets orbit the sun in ellipses when moons orbit their planet in circles? Pupils control the semi-major axis, eccentricity of the orbit, and position angle. The resulting orbital appears with the related force vectors as...

Students read Forces in a Climb from the Beginner's Guide to Propulsion, and explain each of the formulas using vectors.

Students calculate the radius of the earth. They use the method and data suggested by Eratosthenes. They investigate the interrelationships among mass, distance, force, and time through experimental processes.

Round and round it goes. Class members observe a current carrying loop in a magnetic field and calculate its associated torque. They then apply what they have learned to example problems to solve for the torque and to calculate the...

Ninth graders explore vectors.  In this vectors lesson students complete a lab activity. 

Students experience pressure as a force per unit area in this experiment with a board of nails. In this physics instructional activity, students discover Boyle's law as they perform experiments with pressure.