Curated OER
The Bricklayer's Lesson in Physics
Students read a simulated report, written to an insurance company as explanation for a claim of medical benefits. They list the collisions that resulted in the injuries, and identify the forces involved which caused the injury.
Curated OER
Crash! Bang!
Students study the physical force of linear momentum by investigating collisions. They analyze the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions. They calculate linear momentum.
Curated OER
What A Feeling ... Just Dance!
Hopefully your middle schoolers have had some introduction already to dance movement before you do this lesson. If they have, then giving them ribbons and instructing them to make up a little routine should be a fun activity. Encourage...
Curated OER
Momentum Worksheet
Young Newtons solve nine momentum problems on a physics homework assignment. They tell which moving object has more momentum, compute average force, determine velocity, and more. Using this resource, you can assess your physics pupils'...
CK-12 Foundation
Bumper Cars
Is the transfer of energy different in bumper cars with stable versus bouncy bumpers? One of the variables explored in the simulation is bumper type; other variables are the mass and velocity of each car. This allows pupils to see the...
Science Geek
Gas Laws
A physical science presentation begins with an explanation of ideal gases and their behavior. Then it introduces all of the gas laws with descriptions and formulas.
Physics Classroom
Action-Reaction Lab
Computer-interfaced motion detectors are required to carry out this inquiry. It is a new twist on exploring motion with plunger carts: they are set back-to-back and then propelled away from each other. Their velocities are measured, and...
CK-12 Foundation
Crash Test Dummy
Why are car manufactures required to install seat belts and airbags; do they really make that big of a difference? Scholars use a simulator to determine the amount of force dissipated by a seat belt and airbag in a head-on crash. This is...
Curated OER
Exploring the Large Hadron Collider
On this physics handout, pupils read about the Hadron Collider used to make new sub-atomic particles by accelerating protons. They solve 6 math problems that include translating electron volts to Joules. This is geared toward high school...
Curated OER
Marbles and Momentum
Pupils explain the law of conservation of momentum. In this physics lesson, students test this concept by playing marbles. They discuss how mass and velocity affects momentum.
Curated OER
Impulse/Momentum Lab
Students investigate the relationship between force and momentum using motion detectors and sensors. In this physics lesson, students graph experimental results. They calculate impulse using the area under the graph.
Curated OER
Engineering in Sports
Students explore physical education by completing a quiz in class. In this engineering instructional activity, students identify different ways engineering has made sports safer such as stronger padding and helmets, stronger equipment...
Curated OER
Physics: Bounce - Projectile Motion and Collisions
Students conduct and observe experiments in Newtonian mechanics, kinematics, and projectile motion. They analyze the motion of a ball rolling off a table, falling, and then bouncing. Students answer a series of questions analyzing the...
Bowels Physics
Newton's Third Law and Law of Gravitation
Why was Sir Newton so important to the field of science? Pupils discuss his contributions, specifically his Third Law, as they learn about gravity and the center of mass. They work multiple problems to ensure their understanding and...
Curated OER
Determining Momentum and Energy Loss of Balls Colliding Against Different Surfaces
Students experiment with the bounce of balls on various surfaces. In this physics lesson, students use various surfaces to bounce balls to study the momentum. This hands-on activity with the concepts of elasticity of surfaces which is...
Curated OER
Potato Launcher Energy Lab
Students investigate conservation laws using a potato launcher. In this physics lesson, students measure angles, time and distance of the potato. They discuss applications of experiments like this.
Curated OER
Ballistic Pendulum Lab
Learners determine the muzzle velocity of projectile launcher. In this physics instructional activity, students compare the pendulum method and kinematic method in calculating the initial velocity. They analyze data and discuss results...
Curated OER
Invisible Investigations
Students simulate how charged particles move in a particle detector. In this physics lesson, students observe how iron filings behave when magnetic marbles are passed underneath them. They record and draw their observations.
Curated OER
Design a Bicycle Helmet
Students are introduced to the biomechanical characteristics of helmets. They incorporate these characteristics into designs for helmets for various applications. They understand that using a bicycle helmet helps to protect the brain and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Bank Shot
Young geometers become pool sharks in this analysis of the angles and lengths of a trick shot. By using angles of incidence and reflection to develop similar triangles, learners plan the exact placement of balls to make the shot....
Curated OER
Scrambled Eggs
Young scholars spread out in their own personal space within a play area. They respond to different kinds of commands to play the game related to different ways of cooking eggs. This looks like lots of fun.
Curated OER
Bounce (Projectile Motion And Collisions)
Learners analyze the motion of an object as it moves through a complex path that includes rolling, falling, and bouncing. They answer questions related to what forces are acting at any given time.
Curated OER
Activity Six -- Observing Magnetic Effects on Particle Beams (Student Page ) A Physics Lesson in Observation
This student page lists several steps in teaching observation with an oscilloscope and bar magnets.
The students can compare bar magnets with circular magnets on a particle beam . Students will learn more about focusing beams in particle...
Curated OER
Momentum Conserved
Students explore Newton's Laws of Motion and how momentum is conserved. In this physics activity, students observe experiments in which various items collide. Students draw conclusions as to how "momentum" defined as "mass X velocity"...