CK-12 Foundation
Free Body Simulation
To show the magnitude and direction of all forces acting upon an object, scientists use a free body diagram. This simulation serves as an introduction to free body diagrams allowing scholars to build their own. Pupils select the proper...
Physics Classroom
Match That Free-Body Diagram
Pupils read a description of a physical situation and select the free-body diagram that best matches. As part of a series on applying Newton's Laws of Motion, scholars reinforce their skills applying forces and considering their relative...
Bowels Physics
Newton's First Law
Force acts on objects in mysterious ways ... until now! A comprehensive presentation explains the balance of forces acting on objects. Learners draw free body diagrams to show these invisible forces and make force calculations.
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.
Physics Classroom
Change of State
Free-body diagrams display all forces acting on an object, helping scientists represent Newton's Laws of Motion. Scholars read a short description of motion and view the free-body diagram to begin the installment of a larger series on...
Physics Classroom
Recognizing Forces
A common complaint among physics scholars studying Newton's laws of motion concerns drawing free-body diagrams. To practice the required pre-requisite skills for free-body diagrams, individuals identify which forces act in specific...
Curated OER
Vocabulary for Newton's Laws
In this Newton's laws activity, learners match 24 terms with their definitions about topics related to Newton's three laws of motion. Topics include free body diagrams, vector diagrams, static equilibrium and all terms related to the...
Curated OER
Newton's Laws
Learners identify Sir Isaac Newton and his contribution to physics. They write Newton's three Laws of classical mechanics. and apply Newton's Laws to the world around them. They isolate a situation and apply Newton's Laws.
CK-12 Foundation
Airplane
How does an airplane control its take off and descent? Scholars explore the forces acting on an airplane and control the angle of attack, wing profile, thrust, and airplane size. They learn about lift, drag, thrust, gravity, and the...
Curated OER
Lesson 3: Acceleration and Force
A nine-page physics resource supports your lesson on acceleration. A step-by-step lesson plan walks you through the materials you need, the background information, steps for leading experimentation, and the explanation of the results....
CK-12 Foundation
Horse and Cart
Can a horse pull more than its weight? A simple simulation answers this question and more. Pupils adjust the mass in a cart, the mass of the horse, the acceleration of the horse, and the angle of the tension rope between the horse and...
Curated OER
Secondary Robot
Students identify the forces acting on a stationary/constant velocity robot. In this physics lesson, students draw a free body diagrams of the forces. They explain the difference between zero acceleration and zero net force.
CK-12 Foundation
Hot Air Balloon
How can people control a hot air balloon? The simple simulation allows scholars to adjust the payload mass, burner, and vent position on a hot air balloon and observe the changes in velocity and altitude over time. Challenge questions...
Curated OER
Newton's Laws
Learners examine and discuss Newton's Laws and discover his contribution to physics. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they much apply the Laws to the world around them. They describe contact and conservative forces...
Physics Classroom
Force and Motion
Scholars focus on associating balanced forces with at rest or constant velocity motion and unbalanced forces with acceleration or deceleration. Practice problems with immediate feedback allow for quick success in an installment of the...
Cornell University
The Physics of Bridges
Stability is key when building a bridge. Scholars explore the forces acting upon bridges through an analysis of Newton's Laws and Hooke's Law. The activity asks individuals to apply their learning by building a bridge of their own.
Curated OER
Lab for Truss Design and Testing
Students design and build their own truss. In this physics lesson, students calculate the forces and maximum load. They complete a full scale diagram of their design.
Curated OER
Paper Suspension Bridges: You Want Me To Go Up There?
A few class periods will be required to complete this physics investigation with your high schoolers. There is an unavailable video written into the lesson plan, but there is plenty of material here to bridge the gap. Two terrific...
Curated OER
Sciences Working Together
Young scholars research articles about science technology and society. In this science and technology instructional activity, students answer questions about an article they chose. They share what they learned with their peers.
Curated OER
A Focus on Mechanical Friction
Young scholars explore mechanical friction. They perform experiments to observe the direction of mechanical motion and the difference between rolling and sliding friction. Data results on the experiments are recorded and students...
Curated OER
Impulse and Momentum
Students are introduced to the concepts of impulse and momentum and problem solving strategies for these types of problems. In groups, they discover the law of conservation of momentum and share their answers with the class.