Can you time the speed of your car perfectly so you only hit green lights? The challenge in the simulation is to alter the timing of the lights or the speed of the car in order to do just that. Scholars learn about angular speed as they...

Here's an interactive with real potential ... potential energy, that is! Scholars analyze scenarios, then rank objects in order of greatest to least kinetic energy, potential energy, and speed. The interactive provides support materials,...

How is tug of war related to pushing a refrigerator? Here's a simulation connects these two activities with Newton's First Law of Motion. Four different simulations allow scholars to explore net force with tug of war, motion with pushing...

Have you ever wanted to shoot someone out of a canon? This simulation gives you that chance! In addition to a human, you can shoot a car, a piano, a cannon ball, and many other items. Scholars set the angle, initial speed, mass, air...

Students explore simple physics concepts such as push/pull, friction, and speed. In this physics/physical education lesson plan, students work in co-operative groups to "build" a spaceship out of scooters and folded mats. Teams...

The sound waves of thunder are made when lightning very quickly heats the air surrounding it, expanding faster than the speed of sound. Learners explore waves through their own movement of string or set waves to constantly oscillate....

Can your physical science classes describe what happens when two objects collide? Whether they are new to the study of kinetic energy or just brushing up on their skills, pupils can observe the outcome of a variety of collisions...

Three main factors determine the wave height experienced in the ocean. Scholars use a virtual simulator to alter wind speed, fetch, and duration. Each combination creates a unique wave measured in significant height.

Construct a maze in your classroom and have a blindfolded scientist act as a space rover, maneuvering unfamiliar terrain while another scientist plays commander. Classmates record the number of occurrences of the commander having to...

Explore the excited states of atoms through an interactive lesson. Scholars adjust the initial speed of atoms and observe the kinetic energy of the system as the atoms interact. As they change the initial speed and location of the...

Could a flux capacitor really work? An engaging simulation encourages scholars to investigate Faraday's law. They experiment with various speeds, magnitude, voltage, and different-sized coils. Hopefully experimenters will be able to...

An amazing information-packed lesson plan allows your space scientists to crash a virtual comet into Jupiter and learn how the angle, distance, speed, and mass influence the outcome. Click on "Back to the Lesson" to access the...

Young scholars research some duties of sailors onboard HMS victory. They then perform some of these duties in a class dance, which includes changes of speed, level, and direction of movement. They perform their dance to an audience.

Does a yo-yo descend at the speed of gravity? The simulation explores angular speed and torque as a yo-yo is moved through a standard rotation. Scholars control the size and style of the yo-yo as well as the throwing speed. Challenge...

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...

What is the steepness of a hill before a unicyclist slides down it rather than pedaling down it? The simulation graphs the wheel speed versus the unicycle speed as the rider goes down a hill. Scholars control the mass of the rider,...

Like all electricity, static electricity flows at the speed of light, or 186,282 miles/second. The interactive simulation shows how like charges repel like charges and opposites attract. The user can choose either one or two balloons, a...

Electricity travels at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second. Through a simulation, classes see how the structure of energy bands in crystals of atoms determines how materials conduct electricity. Participants can change the...

Different colors of the spectrum travel at different speeds through media, causing them to refract at different angles—which allows humans to see their colors. Through a simulation, pupils see how air, water, and other media bend light....

Archery is believed to be one of the oldest sports in the world at more than 25,000 years old—meaning it can teach your classes a lot! Scholars learn about the forces interacting in the archery simulation. They control the archer's...

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...

Most water fountains are designed to keep the water inside the fountain, but how are they designed to shoot up and out without the water leaving the fountain? Scholars vary the launch angle, fountain height, launch speed, and...

What forces are at work when playing tetherball? Using a simulator, pupils control the ball mass, tether length, and ball speed to better understand the physics of the game. A worksheet and challenge questions reinforce the concepts...

Scientists know wind is a renewable resource, but is it an efficient one? Scholars adjust the propeller diameter on a wind turbine, the wind speed, and the conversion efficiency within range to learn about the efficiency of these...