Third graders examine and identify the six types of simple machines. Using a model of each simple machine, they demonstrate the state the function of them to the class. They discover examples of simple machines at school and home and...

Middle schoolers give examples of each of Newton's three laws as they occur in everyday experiences. They visually represent and differentiate the difference between a direct proportion and an inverse proportion. Students explain how...

Students complete several worksheets about machines.  For this machine lesson students complete several handouts that describe the different machines  and how pulleys work. 

Fifth graders work cooperatively in groups to assemble and launch a rocket.

Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines instructional activity, students study how simple machines work. Students determine the function of various simple machines.

Students experiment with the concept of Newton's second law of motion. After building a ramp, they determine whether a large marble or a small marble will move farther, based on Newton's law. Students record their data on the provided....

Students investigate the various uses of a paper cup. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Students sketch their discovery.

In this activity, students will use different materials to find the most effective way to use an inclined plane (in other words, moving an object with as little force as possible). This is a guided inquiry. Although the students will be...

This site is an interactive app of an inclined plane showing the effect of the angle, the weight of the block, and the friction as a block is pulled up an incline.

Here is a simulation demonstrating an object placed on an inclined plane. The user will vary the slope of the plane to see the relationship the slope has on the gravity of the object and the static friction.

This program gives students a visual representation of the forces on a block that is on an inclined plane. The students can watch how force gravity, force normal, and force friction change as the angle of the plane changes. Students can...

A webpage with equations and examples of how to solve inclined planes problems. Learn how to deal with slopes when surfaces usually aren't perfectly horizontal.

Students use inclined planes as they recreate the difficult task of raising a monolith of rock to build a pyramid. They compare the push and pull of different-sized blocks up an inclined plane, determine the angle of inclination, and...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Use given friction formulas and an interactive diagram for an inclined plane to solve a motion problem. After the activity, answer a challenge question to check for understanding.

This lab was designed to have students look at the factors that might affect the angle at which an object will start to move when it is placed on an inclined plane. The friction coefficient of the surfaces, the strength of the...

Students must predict the final speed of the block on the incline after sliding down a certain distance. Students must account for the energy lost due to the friction between the block and the incline.

Learn about the force of friction on this reference page which defines why friction is important and how it can change physic problems.

A full and complete discussion of the simple machine called the screw, a modified inclined plane. Many examples and drawings and applications.

By taking a look at the energy of motion all around us, students learn about the types of energy and their characteristics. They first learn about the two simplest forms of mechanical energy: kinetic and potential energy, as illustrated...

An interactive Java applet from the University of Utah that allows users to investigate the effect of the coefficient of friction on the motion of a block sliding down an incline. Initial height of the block and the friction coefficient...

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.

Build tracks, ramps and jumps in a skate park to learn about energy.