Curated OER
Analyzing Motion of a Tossed Ball
Students investigate the parameters involved with launching a basketball at an angle. In this motion lesson students predict and sketch graphs that show the motion of a ball toss.
EngageNY
Modeling with Quadratic Functions (part 2)
How many points are needed to define a unique parabola? Individuals work with data to answer this question. Ultimately, they determine the quadratic model when given three points. The concept is applied to data from a dropped object,...
CK-12 Foundation
Cannon Simulation
Fire in the hole! Thrill your classes as they see what it's like to fire a cannon ball. Scholars practice aiming a cannon ball by altering first the firing angle, then the velocity, and finally both simultaneously. Can they discover the...
Rice University
College Physics for AP® Courses
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 multiple...
Curated OER
Cannonball
Students calculate the speed, motion and distance of a projectile. In this geometry lesson, students obtain measurements while calculating velocity. They graph their results and make predictions.
Mathematics Vision Project
Quadratic Equations
Through a variety of physical and theoretical situations, learners are led through the development of some of the deepest concepts in high school mathematics. Complex numbers, the fundamental theorem of algebra and rational exponents...
EngageNY
Modeling with Quadratic Functions (part 1)
Relevance is key! The resource applies quadratic modeling by incorporating application of physics and business. Pupils work through scenarios of projectile motion and revenue/profit relationships. By using the key features of the graph,...
Colorado State University
Why Do Raindrops Sometimes Land Gently and Sometimes with a Splat?
A mouse can fall from large heights without injury! Air resistance is a large influence on small falling objects. In an exploratory lesson, young scholars build a raindrop bottle to compare the falling rate of different-sized objects.
Curated OER
Study of Projectile Motion using Straw Rockets
High schoolers design and launch their own rockets. In this experimental lesson students launch their own rockets and record the various angles and distance that they go. Each student has time to redesign their rocket and have a...
Curated OER
Projectile Motion (or You Bet Your Grade)
Students experiment with the velocity of a spring. In this velocity lesson, students conduct trials in order to determine the initial velocity of a spring. They stretch the spring different amounts and fire it both horizontally and...
Curated OER
So You Want to Hit a Home Run?
Students determine the center of percussion and the center of mass for a baseball bat. In this projective motion lesson students demonstrate the relationship between the position of the baseball bat and when its in the position in the...
McGraw Hill
Gravity Variations Interactive
What would a baseball game look like on the moon? Probably a lot of home runs! A creative activity explores the motion of a projectile on the surface of different bodies in the solar system. Participants adjust the angle and velocity of...
Curated OER
Another Way of Factoring
Focusing on this algebra lesson, learners relate quadratic equations in factored form to their solutions and their graph from a number of different aspects. In some problems, one starts with the original equation and finds the solutions....
University of Texas
Free-Body Diagram
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.
Curated OER
Galileo and the Inevitability of Ideas
Learners research Galileo's work and contributions to science. They make a timeline of Galileo's life, discuss the historical context for his book "Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems" and examine his trial by the Inquisition for...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Trebuchet Toss
Young engineers work in teams to design and build their own trebuchets according to certain criteria; they must be able to launch a mini marshmallow accurately into a pie tin. Background reading material, a planning sheet for trebuchet...
Curated OER
Race the Track! Design Challenge
Learners use the design process to investigate physical science. In this force and motion activity, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance. Learners recognize the...
Curated OER
Interactive Physics
Students explore projectile motion by modeling that motion using Interactive Physics simulation software. They study horizontal and vertical velocity and solve basic problems related to projectile motion.
Curated OER
The Physics of Skateboarding
Learners explore Newton's three laws, gravity, momentum, trajectory, projectiles, circular motion, and friction by observing and breaking down skateboard tricks. They view short video clips of Tony Hawk and explain the physics concepts...
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Marshmallow Catapaults
After a brief lecture on levers, torque, projectiles, and the five-step engineering design cycle, young physical science learners or engineers build catapults out of craft sticks. This is an open-ended exploration of what works and what...
Curated OER
Velocity and Acceleration
Twelfth graders look at local speed limits and traffic controls and see if they are reasonable. They plot the displacement and time to represent velocity, develop a plan for improving the current system, and organize experimental...
Curated OER
Gravity, Angles, and Measurement
Young scholars relate math to real life scenarios. For this geometry lesson, students launch a ball tracking each launch using a graph. They analyze their data for speed, angles and distance, trying to improve on each launch.
Curated OER
Discovering How a Car Works
Students explain the four stroke process in internal combustion engines. In this physics lesson, students role play this process and present their reenactment in class. They draw and label the diagram of an internal combustion engine.
Shmoop
Functions Worksheet 5
To the point and deeper thinking are both types of questions included in the learning exercise. Begin the practice of solving quadratics and then finish with five questions asking quadratic and exponential application problems.