Stanford University
Stanford University: Magnetic Force Microscopy
Help students learn how scientists use powerful tools to visualize, study and control materials at the nanoscale.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Force Direction Relative to Motion
This lab/learning activity is designed to introduce students to the idea of how direction of force relative to motion determines the future motion of the object subjected to the force. Students can also explore the factors that determine...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Projectile Magic
Students watch video clips from October Sky and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to learn about projectile motion. They explore the relationships between displacement, velocity and acceleration and calculate simple projectile...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Third Law of Motion
This Illinois Institute of Technology site provides a teacher lesson plan for an activity in which students use spring balances and carts to investigate the action-reaction relationship for any given force. Includes directions, materials...
NASA
Nasa Glenn Research Center: Rocket Car (Class Activity)
Students discover Newton's Third Law of Motion by constructing a rocket car.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Zoom Vehicle
Explore forces of motion and properties of gasses by building a vehicle that runs along a string track powered by air pressure.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Experiencing Newton's Laws of Motion
This lesson will approach the study of Newton's 3 Laws of Motion using McGraw-Hill Science textbook Unit F. The students will be given an overview of the laws and vocabulary words to study. After introducing and explaining the concept of...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Pendulums Swing Into Motion
This lesson will allow students in groups to describe the relationship between energy, work, and force through the use of pendulums. The results will be reported through a graphing activity as well as a paragraph written and printed on...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Are Newton's Laws?
Through a series of three lessons and one activity, students are introduced to inertia, forces, and Newton's three laws of motion.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Newton's Laws
A four-lesson e-textbook covering topics in Newton's Laws. Tutorials include informational text,animations, interactive activities, and quick, interactive comprehension checks throughout the lessons.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Cornell Center for Materials Research: Friction
A collection of experiments where students can learn about how friction works and affects the physical world. At the end, students design a tortoise to win by slowing it down using friction. Lesson includes explanation of the concept of...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Swing Thing
In this activity, students will construct a pendulum and create a motion plot for a swinging pendulum. They will also identify characteristics that affect a pendulum's motion.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Shape Up!
In this activity, students can use the motion detector to record motion, and observe how the direction of movement, speed of travel, and the rate of change of direction and speed affect the shape of a distance-time plot.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ramp and Review (For High School)
In this hands-on activity - rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup - the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Which Way?
Students' use a motion detector to examine how different types of motion affect the shape of the distance versus time plot. They explore how changes in direction and other factors affect the shape of the plot.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ramp and Review
In this hands-on activity - rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide into a cup - the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction are all demonstrated. During the activity, students take measurements...
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Introduce Ramps
An introductory activity where learners discover the way things roll and slide down ramps and hills.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Egg Drop
In this physics lab, students build a container to safely deliver two eggs from the top of the school. Students calculate average velocity, acceleration, momentum, and the amount of force as it hits the ground. If their egg breaks, they...
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Roll or Slide?
A classroom activity where students discover whether an object rolls, slides, or stays put.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Building Roller Coasters
In this hands-on activity students learn about the laws of physics by creating a marble roller coaster.
BBC
Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Physical Processes: Friction
Use your knowledge about friction to help Carrie get to the Invigatron before someone steals it. Following the activity, read more about friction and resistance, and then take a quick quiz to check for understanding.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Physics Tug of War
In this activity, students will learn about Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. They will learn that the force required to move a book is proportional to the weight of the book. Engineers use this relationship to determine how much force they...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Newton Rocket Car
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate Newton's third law of motion - which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction - through a small wooden car. The Newton cars show how action/reaction works and how the mass...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Slow Down: Speed Up
In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to observe the effect of speeding up, slowing down, and moving at a constant rate on a Distance versus Time plot.