Curated OER
The Little Prince and his Pendulum
In this function worksheet, students read a fairy tale about a prince on a tiny planet. They explore the length of a pendulum and gravitational acceleration. Students use the multi-variable change rule to compute the rate of change. ...
Curated OER
Harmonic Motion 2
In this harmonic motion worksheet, students find the speed of a wave. Students determine the period, frequency, and equilibrium position of a pendulum. This worksheet has 13 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Weighing and Determining the Average Density of the Earth
Some background information about density and Newton's Laws of gravitation and motion assist pupils in the following experiment. The procedure will help them further their understanding of gravity, pendulums, and a drop-ball experiment....
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...
Physics LAB
SHM Properties
For this harmonic motion worksheet, students determine the properties of simple harmonic oscillators and identify the equations for calculating velocity and acceleration of simple harmonic oscillators. This worksheet has 6 problems to...
Curated OER
MASS
Students distinguish between weight and mass. They examine how in oscillations of a mass against an elastic spring--in the absence of gravity, or in horizontal motion--the length of the oscillation period is proportional to the square...
Curated OER
Optical Delusion
Students examine and create a tool that enables them to explore the scientific principle the Moire Effect. Using markers, paper, and scissors, they create an optical illusion that involves superimposing a grid of lines over another...
College Board
2015 AP® Physics 1 Free-Response Questions
It's rare for even 40 percent of test takers to pass the AP Physics 1 exam. Improve those odds for young scientists with the help of actual free response questions covering topics from free body diagrams to velocity. The College Board...
College Board
2016 AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based Free-Response Questions
Generally, scholars struggle on the free response portion of the AP Physics 1 exam more than the multiple-choice section. Scholars benefit from additional practice with the help of previous test questions, including questions on forces,...
Acoustical Society of America
Musical Instruments: Part I
Pupils construct and play various musical instruments made from straws and bottles. They investigate how changes in their instruments result in tone changes. Learners change the lengths and amount of water in the instruments and record...
Teach Engineering
Cosmic Rhythm
Young engineers turn poets with a hands-on activity that challenges them to apply the concept of rhythm to crafting a poem.
Curated OER
Worksheet 18
In this math worksheet, students examine the two springs with spring constants k1 and k2 are attached to a block of mass m. They show the frequency of the oscillations on the frictionless surface.
Curated OER
Worksheet 15 Computer Lab
In this math activity, students discuss the natural frequency ω0 of the system and how it is the number of oscillations of the spring in 2π units of time.
Curated OER
Wave Equations
Students manipulate a model of a wave in order to solve the wave equation in 1 dimension. By using a model of a wave on a string the student is able to change the tension, length, and mass of the string as well as fix either end of the...
Curated OER
Our Favorite Toys
Students give an operational definition of a control system. They analyze the elements of a control system in terms of input, control, and output and describe the four basic types of motion: linear, reciprocating, oscillating, and rotary.
Curated OER
Science, Sounds And Hearing
Middle schoolers examine various sounds that are played on musical instruments. They conduct an experiment to listening to different instruments. They define significant vocabulary like "vibration" and "oscillation". Students suggest...
Curated OER
The Search for El Nino
Sixth graders complete an El Nino scavenger hunt. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders describe the conditions that create El Nino and compare it to normal condition. They discuss how this phenomenon affects marine ecosystem.
Exploratorium
Balancing Ball
Demonstrate lift to the class that is studying aerodynamics. In the stream of air produced by a blow dryer, little physicists place a wad of tissue paper and a spherical figure to compare. Or, if you have a vacuum cleaner and beach ball,...
It's About Time
The Doppler Effect
In 1842, Christian Doppler proposed a theory relating the change of wavelengths based on motion. Young scholars observe the Doppler Effect on a small scale in a ball, on a larger scale from a car, and on the largest scale studying the...
Urbana School District
Light
You matter, unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light ... then you energy. Presentation covers the behavior of light as both a wave and a particle, light versus sound, space travel, why objects have colors, depth perception,...
EngageNY
Waves, Sinusoids, and Identities
What is the net effect when two waves interfere with each other? The lesson plan answers this question by helping the class visualize waves through graphing. Pupils graph individual waves and determine the effect of the interference...
Curated OER
Comparing the Effects of El Nino and La Nina
Students examine the differences between an El Nino and La Nina year. In this investigative lesson students create maps and graphs of the data they obtained.
Curated OER
Case Study of Local Trends in the Carbon Cycle
Students examine the relationship between chlorophyll and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In this investigative lesson students study the local effects of climate change.
Curated OER
Quantum Mechanics
Mostly what you will find here is a history of quantum mechanics. Influential scientists are introduced (along with some of their recorded quotes), the progression of atomic models is reviewed, and finally experssions and equations are...