CK-12 Foundation
Newton's Apple
Scientists state that the higher something is above the earth, the greater the gravitational potential energy. Does this mean there is more gravity acting on the moon than on an apple falling from a tree? Scholars adjust the distance...
CK-12 Foundation
Clarke's Dream
How does satellite TV keep a steady stream when the earth and the satellite are constantly moving? Scholars use a simulator to adjust the radius of orbit of a satellite around the earth. They view graphs of acceleration and time period...
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Sprinter
Why do sprinters wear spiked shoes? Scholars explore various styles of shoes and how they handle forces when running. Scholars adjust variables including shoe type, horizontal force, surface type, and normal force to determine which...
CK-12 Foundation
Elevator
Do you weigh slightly less when an elevator first starts its descent? The simulation teaches the change in the force based on the acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration of an elevator. Scholars control the mass and acceleration...
CK-12 Foundation
Everglades Airboat
How does an airboat move when there isn't a motor in the water? The simulation teaches the forces related to the thrust and drag on an airboat. Scholars vary the boat mass and thrust force in order to view graphs of the changing force...
CK-12 Foundation
Pirate Ship
Everything that happens is an interaction, from the wind blowing a sail to a cannon ball being thrust out of a cannon. A simulation shows the interactions involving a sail, air, ball, pirate, cannon, deck, ocean, and the Earth and the...
CK-12 Foundation
Ballistics Tests
How did scientists measure the speed of incredibly fast things before the invention of high-speed photography? Scholars virtually perform ballistics tests to discover the process. They control the rifle type, bullet mass, and target...
CK-12 Foundation
Astronaut Training Chamber
Most people realize they would weigh less if they were on the moon, but does it change how much weight you could lift if you were on the moon? Scholars adjust the mass of an object to be lifted and select between four different locations...
CK-12 Foundation
Loop-the-Loop
What prevents a roller coaster from falling when it goes upside down? Scholars experiment with a roller coaster simulation controlling the mass of the coaster, the height of the hill, and the radius of the loop. They learn which factors...
CK-12 Foundation
Malt Shop
How does the soda clerk know exactly how to get the glass across the counter to the customer? Pupils use the simulation to adjust the launch velocity, glass weight, base area, surface material, and the customer's position to answer that...
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...
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Bow and Arrow
Where does the energy of an arrow come from? Is it from the person, the bow, or somewhere else? A simulation allows scholars to adjust the stretch distance and the elastic constant in order to understand where the energy comes from, what...
CK-12 Foundation
Cliff Diver
Cliff diving is more than an adrenaline rush ... it's a lesson in physics! Scholars adjust the height of a cliff and plot the resulting velocity and position over time on graphs. They also can incorporate air resistance to monitor the...
CK-12 Foundation
Prom Night
Create the perfect prom night image using the Law of Reflection! An interactive lesson explores angles of reflection when looking in a full-length mirror. Learners change the distance from the mirror and length of the mirror and watch...
CK-12 Foundation
Fish vs. Rose
Examine the science behind rates of diffusion. The video lesson and following interactive activity focus on the molecular components of different smells. Learners monitor the diffusion of each smell as they 'race' through a room.
CK-12 Foundation
Expand and Contract
Gaps are essential to engineering bridges and roads. Learners watch a video showing a typical construction of a bridge to see why they're so important. They then manipulate an interactive to model the effects of temperature change on the...
CK-12 Foundation
What's the Matter?
What makes ice, water, and steam different? Their molecular arrangements are the same, but their movements are different. Individuals make this conclusion by completing the simulation activity.
CK-12 Foundation
It's Just a Phase
Explore the phases of water as temperature rises. Pupils consider the idea that temperature remains constant during each phase change. An interactive exercise allows your young scientists to observe the temperature and molecular motion...
CK-12 Foundation
Air Matters
What makes up the air we breathe? Young scientists explore the atoms and molecules in the air. An interactive lesson allows individuals to watch the movement of the particles in the air and change the makeup from a mixture to a compound....
CK-12 Foundation
Don't Slip
Salt is the go-to material when people need to melt ice—learn the chemistry behind its effectiveness with an interactive lesson. Pupils watch a short narrative and then explore the concept through a simulation. Young scientists...
CK-12 Foundation
Balancing Equations
Make the microscopic world of chemical reactions come to life. An engaging video demonstrates a methane-oxygen reaction. Learners see the reaction take place and observe the chemical equation being balanced.
CK-12 Foundation
Hotpack - Coldpack
Chemistry can help athletes and others protect and treat injuries. Use the interactive activity to explore the chemical reactions in instant hot and coldpacks. Learners manipulate the type of salt in the pack and watch the reaction take...