Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Give Me a Brake
Learners explore the concept of how brakes can stop or slow mechanical motion. They examine the operation of a bicycle brake and use low cost materials to devise a simple braking system. Finally, they work as a team to suggest...
Curated OER
Unit VII Energy: WS 3a Energy Transfer and Storage
Here is a nifty worksheet on energy transfer. Physics fanatics analyze a diagram and state whether or not friction is involved. They sketch bar graphs and draw energy flow diagrams for each system as well. Circular motion, movement up...
Curated OER
Sliders - Static and Kinetic Friction
Middle schoolers work in groups to conduct experiments the demonstrate the differences between static and kinetic friction. They consider how friction affects us in our everyday lives, determine the effects of weight on friction and...
Curated OER
Friction Fanatics
Student and compare the three types of friction. For this physics lesson, students determine the coefficient of friction using the CEENBoT. They investigate how friction changes as the angle of the incline changes.
Curated OER
Friction - Slip or Stick
For this friction worksheet, students complete a friction experiment in which they use marbles to create friction between a book and a tin. This worksheet contains equipment, preparation, background information and more to complete this...
Curated OER
Red Light, Green Light
Students investigate the friction between tires and the road and how it affects the movement of cars while driving. They discuss and define friction, experiment with sandpaper and wax paper to determine which material provides the least...
Curated OER
Energy Transformation
Students experiment with variety of materials to investigate, develop inferences, and differentiate between concepts of motion energy and heat energy, and the part played by friction in the transformation process.
Curated OER
Forces in the Sport of Luging
Students discuss force, gravity, and friction as well as examples of each based on what they viewed during a Discovery video. They examine first hand the effect of forces by building their own luge track, making predictions, and testing...
Teach Engineering
Sliders (for High School)
Slip sliding away. Groups investigates the two types of friction by running an experiment that allows them to calculate the coefficient of static friction and the coefficient of kinetic friction. The experiment uses a box, a basket, and...
Curated OER
Friction and Inertia
Students study friction and inertia, make predictions, and compare data. In this investigative lesson students view a demonstration on friction, divide into groups, and complete an activity.
Curated OER
How Far?
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 by measuring the distance that a...
Curated OER
Momentum
In this momentum instructional activity, students use the equation for momentum to describe an object's motion. This instructional activity has 4 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Trigonometry in Automobile - Accident Reconstruction
In this accident reconstruction worksheet, students use trigonometry and vectors to determine the speeds of automobiles in a car accident. They compute the speed at which a car skidded before a crash. This one-page worksheet contains 1...
Curated OER
Does Contact Area Matter?
Students work together to design and implement an experiment on friction. They test to see if contact area affects the amount of friction. They discover how engineers use friction to make certain products better.
Curated OER
Long Day?
Students become aware of the effects of tides on the Earth's rotation. In this tides instructional activity, students calculate the number of seconds lost over various periods of time.
Teach Engineering
Six Minutes of Terror
Help your class understand the design challenges when trying to land a remote spacecraft on a planet. Class members examine the provided information to understand how each component of a spacecraft is designed in order to safely land a...
Curated OER
3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)
Students examine the effects of packaging decisions and the engineering advancements in packaging materials and waste management. They observe biodegradation in a model landfill.