CK-12 Foundation
At the Crossroads
Young scientists investigate methods of comparing standard and metric units with a technology-enhanced lesson that builds a connection between conversion ratios and the corresponding units. The simulation allows learners to manipulate...
CK-12 Foundation
Cassegrain Telescope
How does a telescope magnify images? Learners first watch a tutorial explaining the basic construction of a telescope. Then they interact with a simulation that allows for changes in the location and diameter of the reflecting mirrors....
CK-12 Foundation
Galvanometer
In 1820, Hans Christian Orstead discovered the link between electricity and magnetism, which allows us to measure current and voltage. The simulation allows scholars to observe the inner workings of an ammeter and voltmeter as they...
CK-12 Foundation
Telegraph
Most pupils don't know what a telegraph is, much less how one works. A secret simulation has scholars pick the size of the primary and secondary loops, the battery voltage, and which letters in the Morse Code they want to transmit. They...
CK-12 Foundation
Field Lines
The earth has a giant magnetic field caused by the liquid iron that constantly moves in the outer core. Scholars explore the magnetic fields of four different planets. The strength and alignment of the poles relates to the implications...
CK-12 Foundation
Touch Screen
Touch screens are becoming more common, but how do they work? The simulation shows the electric potential versus system charge as scholars alter three variables. The schematic of the capacitance demonstrates the set up as each variable...
CK-12 Foundation
Lightning-Rod
Why do some buildings have lightning rods? Scholars explore the movement and attraction of opposing electrical charges through a simulation of a lightning rod. They control the cloud height, charge separation, and if the lightning rod is...
CK-12 Foundation
Power Lines
How does electricity travel through power lines? The simulation demonstrates the how changes in voltage and resistance are related to the distance between power polls and the thickness of the cable. Scholars control three variables in...
CK-12 Foundation
Flashing Neon Light
How does a neon light work and does it actually contain the gas neon? An enlightening simulation encourages pupils to play with circuits and neon lights. They control the capacitance, resistance, and color of the bulb, and the simulation...
CK-12 Foundation
Flashlight
In a simple circuit, does electricity start instantly? A simulation encourages thinking about the flow of electrons at a microscopic level. Pupils control the voltage, resistance, and switch in order to observe the change in both ideal...
CK-12 Foundation
Diamond Cut
How do jewelers tell the difference between diamonds, glass, and cubic zirconia? A sparkling simulation demonstrates how to use a ray of light to determine the substance and ideal shape for a diamond. Scholars control the material,...
CK-12 Foundation
Contact Lens
How do contact lenses work? The simulation allows young scientists to explore focal length and lens type to see how and why contact lenses work. Pupils control the focal length for an eye and a lens, the type of lens, and the distance...
CK-12 Foundation
Least Time
What is the fastest way to get from point A to point B if you are going through two different mediums, such as air then water? Scholars explore the way light travels through air, water, acrylic, glass, and diamond as they answer this...
CK-12 Foundation
Magnifying Glass
How can a magnifying glass or reading glasses make things appear larger? Scholars simulate moving a lens closer or farther from an object to observe the resulting image. They also alter the lens focal length. The simulation shows the...
CK-12 Foundation
Rose Colored Glasses
How can we change the color of what we are seeing? The simulation allows individuals to change the color of a car's paint, the color of light pointed at the car, and the color of glasses the person is wearing. Each combination creates a...
CK-12 Foundation
Light Wave
Do radio waves create light? It's more difficult to understand the things we can't see than those that we can. The simulation compares the relatively small range of visible light to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. It graphs the size...
CK-12 Foundation
Stadium Wave
If you are at a sports match and the crowd starts two waves that are both headed toward you at the same time, what do you do? The simulation applies the concepts of constructive interference and destructive interference to that very...
CK-12 Foundation
Stow Lake
Does the depth of a pond matter to the waves created when rain is falling? Many people assume the answer is no, but interestingly, it does matter. Pupils explore this concept and other variables related to wave behavior through a...
CK-12 Foundation
Runaway Balloon
When a child lets go of a helium balloon, what happens to it? Does it float all the way to space? The simulator allows pupils to experiment on party balloons and weather balloons under different conditions to see what happens to them in...
CK-12 Foundation
Heat Engine
How can heat power an engine? Scholars observe a heat engine working and control variables to determine the most efficient setup. They change the amount of heat input as well as the stroke length. Energy efficiency numbers prove the...
CK-12 Foundation
Scuba Training
How does a scuba diver control whether they sink or float? Scholars observe the relationship between absolute pressure and depth below the surface in an undersea simulation. They control the diver size and depth to center of mass to see...
CK-12 Foundation
The Marina
Breakwaters offer marinas and beaches protection from large ocean waves, but how do they work? Scholars observe wave patterns and wave amplitude during the simulation. They control the number of openings, width of openings, distance...
CK-12 Foundation
Ski Jump
What are the three types of energy a ski jumper uses? If you said potential, kinetic, and heat, then you are correct. Scholars adjust the jumper's mass, jumper's form, and height of the start line in the simulation to display graphs of...
CK-12 Foundation
High Energy Particles
How much energy is required to break apart an atomic nucleus and does it vary based on the type of atom? Scholars virtually experiment with a linear accelerator in order to answer these questions. They alter the voltage, length of the...