Concord Consortium
Collisions and Kinetic Energy
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Bowling Alley
Sometimes it appears that a bowling ball slides down the alley rather than rolling, while other times it appears to switch rolling directions at some point. Scholars control the bowling ball size, initial rotation, initial speed, and...
PHET
Energy Skate Park: Basics
Keep calm and half pipe. An exciting simulation teaches pupils about energy transfer from potential to kinetic and thermal as a skater moves through a half pipe or other track. After a brief introduction, scholars can build their own...
CK-12 Foundation
Car Collision
When a car crashes into a wall, does it just stop or does it bounce or roll backwards? A simulation relates velocity, kinetic energy, momentum, and restitution to answer this question. Scholars apply their knowledge through...
PHET
Energy Skate Park
Apply the concepts of conservation of energy to a skater to introduce a fun way the concepts apply to real life. Scholars build tracks, ramps, and jumps then analyze the various types of energy and friction. For an added challenge,...
CK-12 Foundation
Power and Efficiency Simulation
How much energy in Jewels does it take to tow a car up a slope? Scholars explore different values of both kinetic and potential energy to answer that question. Through multiple levels, the difficulty increases — as does your young...
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...
PHET
Pendulum Lab
How would a pendulum work on the moon or Jupiter? To answer that question scholars control up to two pendulums including their location, length, mass, and amplitude. Added controls include changing the friction and strength of gravity....
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Sprinter
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about static friction, kinetic friction, and slipping in the context of human motion using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available. [3:38]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Malt Shop
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about kinetic friction and how objects slide to a stop under the influence of friction.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Energy Skate Park
Explore kinetic, potential, and thermal energy as you send a skateboarder along several pre-built tracks, then design your own. Charts and graphs show the distribution of the different forms of energy, illustrating how the total energy...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Energy Skate Park
Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude. Build tracks, ramps, and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves.
University of Oregon
University of Oregon: Experimental Instructions
Visit this summary of friction. Use the interactive JAVA window to run friction simulations.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Energy Skate Park
Build tracks, ramps and jumps in a skate park to learn about energy.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Masses and Springs
Use this interactive, animated lab to explore conservation of mechanical energy.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Amusement Park Physics: Roller Coaster
This interesting and interactive exhibit demonstrates how Newton's Laws of Motion impact the design and safety of roller coasters.