Curated OER
Motion: Speed, Velocity, Acceleration and Networking
Students interpret a variety of motion graphs. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the speed and acceleration of objects using numerical data from graphs. They apply what they have learned to solve real world...
Curated OER
Bouncing Ball
Students collect height versus time data of a bouncing ball using the CBR 2™ data collection device. Using a quadratic equation they graph scatter plots, graph and interpret a quadratic function, apply the vertex form of a quadratic...
Curated OER
2D Kinematics w/ String Racers
Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics lesson plan, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.
Curated OER
Intro to 1D Kinematics with Physlets
Twelfth graders examine illustrations and animations on a Physlets CD in which they must describe motion, analyze graphs, and calculate initial velocity. The Physlet assists in providing active class participation in discussion.
Curated OER
Velocity vs. Time
Twelfth graders read and interpret v-t graphs. After studying velocity and time, 12th graders read graphs to calculate the acceleration of a moving body and determine the distance and displacement of a body. Students explore the...
Texas Instruments
Vandalism 101
Learners explore logic and use Geometer’s Sketchpad and patterns of logic to solve a puzzle.
Curated OER
Activity Two Teacher Page: Explosions
Students identify variables that affect the system, and specify which variables are independent and which are dependent.
Curated OER
Animating Motion
Students apply what they recall about objects in motion by animati ng sequences of pictures that model a set of physical conditions. They animate the orbital motions of the Earth, the space shuttle, and the Moon based on calculations of...
Curated OER
Numerical Determination of Drag Coefficients
Pupils create a video of an object falling with a drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate drag coefficient using data from Logger Pro. They calculate velocity and acceleration of the object.
Curated OER
Physical Pendulum Lab
Students calculate the moment of inertia of a disc. In this physics lesson, students differentiate the two methods used in finding the inertia. They construct their own pendulum for the lab.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Graphing 1 D Kinematic Motion
In this demonstration students are given a position, velocity, or acceleration graph showing the motion of an object. They describe the motion, and then make predictions by completing the remaining two graphs. Using a motion detector and...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: 1 D Kinematics: Table of Contents
Learners examine motion with words, equations, diagrams, and graphs. Some topics investigated are position, velocity, acceleration, and free fall. The tutorial consists of lessons and problems to check for understanding.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Student Analysis: Determine the Acceleration of a Toy Car
For this activity, learners measure the displacement and elapsed time of a moving toy car using a direct measurement video with an embedded frame counter. They then calculate average and final velocity, and the average acceleration, and...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Classroom Activities: Parachuting
This activity explores a parachutist and her position, velocity and acceleration. Graphing and calculating these functions will be required.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Lab Work Forces & Acceleration
The Illinois Institute of Technology provides this site. The site contains a graphing activity which illustrates that a constant force exerted upon an object results in constant acceleration. Rolling carts and stopwatches are used to...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Sports in Physics: Measuring Velocity in a Mini Olympic
The Illinois Institute of Technology provides this site on Physics. It is a student lab investigation in which students compare the concept and quantity of velocity to that of acceleration. Includes directions, ideas for assessment, a...