Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Car Collision Testing & Tradeoffs: Don't Crack Humpty

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Newton's First Law (Inertia)

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This activity provides students an opportunity to investigate Newton's first law by observing inertia in a variety of experiments. Students will hypothesize on possible outcomes, write observations of what has happened, and apply...
Activity
Museum of Science

Museum of Science and Industry Chicago: Online Science: Drop Eggs Into Cups

For Students 3rd - 8th
Step-by-step illustrated instructions showing how to drop four eggs into four cups without touching them. Demonstrates the concept of inertia according to Newton's first law of motion.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Trucking and Thinking Newton's First Law of Motion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity students simulate the movement of cargo in the bed of a truck in order to experience Newton's first law of motion.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Centripetal Force

For Students 9th - 10th
Through illustrated examples and practice problems, students explore the centripetal force requirement. So for an object moving in a circle, there must be an inward force acting upon it in order to cause its inward acceleration.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Newton's Second: Having a Ball With Motion

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students will create a gravity ball launcher to demonstrate their understanding of mass, force, momentum, and motion. The students will use critical thinking, measurement, and observation and analysis of data to make changes and improve...
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics: Roller Coaster

For Students 9th - 10th
This interesting and interactive exhibit demonstrates how Newton's Laws of Motion impact the design and safety of roller coasters.
Activity
Michigan Reach Out

Nasa: Soda Pop Can Hero Engine

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore all three parts of Newton's Laws of Motion by observing a spinning pop can.
Handout
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Satellite Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
An animation depicting the path of projectiles launched at various launch speeds from the fictional Newton's Mountain. Accompanying text discusses satellite motion and the requirements of orbital motion. Links to further information is...
Website
University of Virginia

Uva: The Real World Air Resistance

For Students 9th - 10th
A contrast of Galileo and Aristotle's view of inertia and motion. Describes air resistance force and how its reality seems to initially support Aristotle's view.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: The First Law of Motion: The Tower of Coins

For Teachers K - 1st
Students learn about inertia in this simple experiment. They create a stack of twelve round objects, beginning with nickels, and try to remove the bottom object without toppling the tower. Various tools are provided for them to use for...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Action Reaction! Rocket

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students construct a rocket from a balloon propelled along a guide string. They use this model to learn about Newton's three laws of motion, examining the effect of different forces on the motion of the rocket.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: What Is Weight?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article on weight will help you prepare for the AP Physics test. Included are example problems to help you practice.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Nova: Top Gun Over Moscow

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit investigating the sensations experienced by a cockpit pilot in a Russian aircraft. Focuses on G-forces and apparent weightlessness.
Handout
Walter Fendt

Walter Fendt: Model of a Carousel: Centripetal Force

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource features an applet that models the motion of a carousel ride at an amusement park to demonstrate centripetal force. The motion parameters can be modified and seen in the animation.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Motion Commotion

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students learn why and how motion occurs and what governs changes in motion, as described by Newton's three laws of motion. They gain hands-on experience with the concepts of forces, changes in motion, and action and reaction. In an...
Unit Plan
NASA

Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from NASA discusses application of Newton's first law of motion to airplane motion. Includes a graphic and an accompanying explanation.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: A Comprehensive List of All the Physics Formulas

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a long list of physics formulas for easy reference.
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Walk the Tightrope

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Understand the concept of rotational inertia [moment of inertia) by analyzing the motion of a circus tightrope walker using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also...
eBook
Other

Wikibooks: Physics Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
A handy resource that gives an overview of equations and definitions pertinent to an introductory, college-level physics course, with two of its three sections focusing on motion-related topics and principles.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Conservation of Angular Momentum Review

For Students 9th - 10th
Review how angular momentum is conserved if there is no external torque applied to a system. Specific scenarios are highlighted: system changing it rotational inertia, orbiting bodies, and rotational collisions.