Physics stars design mobiles that demonstrate rotational equilibrium. They take measurements and solve related equations for force by graphing, substitution, or determinants. This is a well-developed lesson plan, complete with student...

Many mechanical phenomena are explained by a physics professor using Nick Goepper, a Winter Olympics 2014 slope-style skier, as the model. Beginning with kinetic and potential energy, the professor goes on to explain angular momentum and...

Two activities employ the use of kinematic equations for determining projectile ranges. They both require the use of a toy dart gun. Included in this resource are both the teacher's guide and student laboratory sheets. This is an...

Mostly for teacher's use, here are instructions for making a traditional electromagnetic motor and a detailed explanation of how it works. 

Showcase a few classic demonstrations of angular momentum with this two-minute film. Using a gyroscope, a bicycle, and a tire removed from a bicycle, the narrator explains how angular momentum keeps an object up in a way that defies the...

Students attempt to design the tallest structure that they can with the given materials which are wooden dowels and rubber bands. They discuss the physics of their structure and how they would improve it the next time they built a...

Physics stars will enjoy learning about the conservation of energy as you demonstrate gyroscope precession. The lecture is broken into five subtopics: cross product, rotating vectors, angular momentum, rotating rigid bodies, and torque...

Students discuss that the conservatin of energy states that the energy imput must equal the energy output. They then figure out how can a machine help you to perform task otherwise considered impossible? Students discuss the six simple...

The Diary of a Wimpy Antenna? In the last installment of a six-part series, your class constructs a model of a radio antenna and tests its torque. Pupils use the results to design a better model that resists bending and twisting forces.

Torque--a teachable moment? Here's a instructional activity on torque (or moment) and variables that include size, reinforcement, structural bracing, and material that affect torque.

In this rotational motion worksheet, learners calculate and answer 50 multiple choice questions related to the properties of rotating bodies.

Sixth graders explore how torque and work are different. In this torque instructional activity, 6th graders will understand the relationship between torque and work as it applies to force and distance. Students will be assessed on their...

Students use paper plates and detailed directions to build a model of the Michigan Avenue Bridge's gear system. By carefully measuring and cutting "teeth" for the gears of the "Gear Train," they create small gear that will intersect the...

Students explore questions which cannot be handled with simple pendulums, and examine both the usefulness and the limitations of approximations in science. A Java applet created from a Stella model is included.

Students construct a tower as high as possible that can successfully lean without collaspling. They examine the effect that lowering an object's center of gravity has on the torque produced on an object.

Students build simple gear trains and record data to discover how to compute gear ratios. They investigate the definition of torque and how torque can be increased or decreased in a gear train.

Students determine the center of mass of two irregularly shaped objects, determine when the center of mass is inside or outside the boundaries of the object, determine when and/or why an object is stable, balanced, unstable or unbalanced.

Students hypothesize about the relationship between tire size of CEENBoT and ability to move a load. In this physics lesson plan, students design an experiment to test their hypothesis. They record results and formulate their conclusion.

Students demonstrate rotary motion by practicing with gyrocopters. In this physics lesson plan students work in groups to construct a gyrocopter and explore how physics effect it torque and inertia.

Students calculate torque and determine its uses. In this lesson on torque, students watch a video and teacher demonstrations and work with a small group on a lab activity. Students provide example of how torque is used in daily life,...

In this learning about gears worksheet, 5th graders read and discuss a 1 page article on gears, fill in 7 blanks to complete 5 facts about gears and make a set of gears from a template provided in the worksheet.

For this physics worksheet, students use torque to explain several very odd phenomena. They write the definition of torque and the relation between torque and change in angular momentum.

Students listen to a lecture by the teacher about farm work and ways to use physics to make farm work easier. The machines that are highlighted include pulleys, ramps, lever, and gears. Each machine is explained in context of its use in...

Students investigate torque in a inquiry situation. They use a meter stick as a balance to determine mass of various unknown masses. A worksheet and pre lab activity is provided.