University of Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks: Static and Kinetic Friction
Explains what static and kinetic friction are, what their coefficients of friction are in different scenarios, and how these concepts are applied when looking at automobile braking distances and vehicle control when driving.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Friction
Students study how the nature of two materials in contact, and the smoothness of their surfaces affect the magnitude of the sliding force of friction. They use a force sensor to measure frictional force for different surfaces.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Effect of Friction on Objects in Motion
The funny thing about friction is that you couldn't get anywhere without it, yet it still acts to slow you down as you're getting there. Here is an easy project to measure the effects of friction.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: You Nailed It! Hammering Force for Different Types of Wood
This Science Buddies project explains how to build a mechanism that will reproducibly swing a hammer so you can determine the amount of force needed to hammer a nail through various densities of wood. The Science Buddies project ideas...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Forces and Motion: Basics
See how forces affect various items that are pushed or pulled.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Imagine Life Without Friction
Students are introduced to the concept of inertia and its application to a world without the force of friction acting on moving objects. When an object is in motion, friction tends to be the force that acts on this object to slow it down...
Other
Bscs: Forces and Motion Content Background Document
In this document, we will try to answer a fundamental question of physical science, "Why do things start to move, slow down, speed up, stop moving or change direction?" In answering these core questions we can develop concepts that can...
Project Britain
Primary Homework Help: Forces Quiz
First, read some fast facts about forces, then take a ten-question, multiple-choice quiz. Check to see if your answers are correct after each question.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Newton's Second Law of Motion
Learn more about finding acceleration through the practices found in this lesson. "The process of determining the acceleration of an object demands that the mass and the net force are known." Check out this comprehensive site.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What a Drag
Students learn about friction and drag - two different forces that convert energy of motion to heat. Both forces can act on a moving object and decrease its velocity. Students learn examples of friction and drag, and suggest ways to...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Red Light, Green Light
Building upon their understanding of forces and Newton's laws of motion, students learn about the force of friction, specifically with respect to cars. They explore the friction between tires and the road to learn how it affects the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ramp and Review (For High School)
In this hands-on activity - rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup - the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ramp and Review
In this hands-on activity - rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup - the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Newton's First Law of Motion
A clear explanation of Newton's First Law of Motion, the law of inertia, with diagrams and real-world examples. Useful for both students and teachers. Written by a high school physics teacher.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Do Submarines Need Fins?
In this science project, you can investigate how submarines use stabilizing fins to move forward. Exploring friction and buoyant force you will get closer to understanding how these large ships function. Research resources are included...
Science Struck
Science Struck: A Comprehensive List of All the Physics Formulas
Provides a long list of physics formulas for easy reference.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Car Collision Testing & Tradeoffs: Don't Crack Humpty
Student groups are provided with a generic car base on which to design a device/enclosure to protect an egg as it rolls down a ramp at increasing slopes. During this activity, student teams design, build and test their prototype...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Far?
To learn how friction affects motion, students explore how different textures provide varying amounts of friction to objects moving across them. They build a tool to measure the amount of friction between a note card and various surfaces...
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Hover Cup
Science experiment in which you make a hovercraft, a machine that uses compressed air to do work, from a paper cup. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of how air flow can minimize friction and cause...
University of Oregon
Uo: Cannon Simulator: Experimental Instructions
This virtual experiment is designed to let the student measure the relation between muzzle velocity (which determines projectile energy), gravitational potential and the effects of frictional drag caused by wind speed blowing opposite to...
Cosmo Learning
Cosmo Learning: Newton's Laws
Do you need to review any of Newton's three laws? This website contains a video collection on Newton's Law from a physics course at East Los Angeles College. In twelve lectures, each law is explained with examples. Also discussed is...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: The Science of Sports Cycling
A detailed look at the aerodynamic principles associated with cycling. Good science and even better web page design. Includes an online calculator that allows the user to calculate the aerodynamic drag and propulsive power of a bicyclist...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Charge and Carry
This site from The Exploratorium Museum is a full description of a short activity. An electrophorus plate and a Leyden jar are made. The electrophorus is charged by induction. Its charge is transferred to the Leyden jar by conduction...