CK-12 Foundation
Water Fountain
Most water fountains are designed to keep the water inside the fountain, but how are they designed to shoot up and out without the water leaving the fountain? Scholars vary the launch angle, fountain height, launch speed, and catcher...
Physics Classroom
Vector Direction
Scholars practice vector direction notation in multiple formats. After mastering each individually, they work to convert from one to another as one part in a series of lessons on vectors and projectiles.
Physics Classroom
Vector Addition
Three levels of practice assure scholar mastery of vector addition. After inputting an incorrect answer, another problem replaces it so everyone finds success. The lesson works as one part of a series on vectors and projectiles.
Physics Classroom
Component Addition
Learn to analyze vector addition on graph paper through multiple levels of practice problems. Pupils begin with two component addition and move through three and four components to prove mastery as one part of a series on vectors and...
Curated OER
Aerospace Engineering
Twelfth graders examine the physics of rocket flight. They build and launch model rockets to measure their performances.
Cornell University
Catapults
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome.
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Marshmallow Catapaults
After a brief lecture on levers, torque, projectiles, and the five-step engineering design cycle, young physical science learners or engineers build catapults out of craft sticks. This is an open-ended exploration of what works and what...
Teach Engineering
The Magician's Catapult
Class members work in pairs to build a catapult to launch a grape a given distance. The catapult project, a compound machine, reinforces pupils' understanding of simple machines.
Physics Classroom
Free Fall
Scholars must understand freefall before they learn how objects like airplanes fly. They apply knowledge of velocity and acceleration to predict speed and direction as part of a larger series on vectors and projectiles.
Physics Classroom
Up And Down
Many scholars confuse velocity and acceleration even after they correctly solve basic problems. Using an interactive, part of a series on vectors and projectiles, with immediate feedback focuses their attention on the up or down...
Curated OER
Motion Near Earth
In this motion worksheet, students will match 5 physics vocabulary words relating to motion with their definitions. Then, they will review 9 statements of different motion scenarios to determine is the statement is true or false....
Curated OER
Tiger Woods Physics
Students comprehend the independence of vertical and horizontal velocity vectors. They calculate height, time of flight and range of projectile objects. Students perform derivation for range of same plane projectile motion. They perform...
Mathematics Vision Project
Quadratic Equations
Through a variety of physical and theoretical situations, learners are led through the development of some of the deepest concepts in high school mathematics. Complex numbers, the fundamental theorem of algebra and rational exponents...
Curated OER
Gravity, Angles, and Measurement
Young scholars relate math to real life scenarios. For this geometry lesson, students launch a ball tracking each launch using a graph. They analyze their data for speed, angles and distance, trying to improve on each launch.
Curated OER
Designing and Building Catapults
Seventh graders complete a challenge to create a catapult that projects a marble or other projectile at least one meter. While experimenting they apply the Four Question Strategy to answer the question, " How can I make one modification...
EngageNY
Graphs of Quadratic Functions
How high is too high for a belly flop? Learners analyze data to model the world record belly flop using a quadratic equation. They create a graph and analyze the key features and apply them to the context of the video.
Curated OER
Analyzing Motion of a Tossed Ball
Students investigate the parameters involved with launching a basketball at an angle. In this motion lesson students predict and sketch graphs that show the motion of a ball toss.
Physics Classroom
Force and Motion
Scholars focus on associating balanced forces with at rest or constant velocity motion and unbalanced forces with acceleration or deceleration. Practice problems with immediate feedback allow for quick success in an installment of the...
Curated OER
Exterior Ballistics
Young scholars explore velocity and trajectory. Using exterior ballistics rules, students predetermine the path of an artillery shell. Given equations and the firing angle, young scholars determine the velocity and horizontal travel. ...
Curated OER
Paper Rockets
Students design, construct, and fly paper rockets that travel the greatest distance possible across a floor model of the solar system. They construct small flying rockets out of paper and propel them by blowing air through a straw.
Curated OER
Bottle Rocket Launcher
Students construct a bottle rocket launcher for use with the Bottle Rocket and Project X-35 activities. They construct a bottle launcher from "off-the-shelf" hardware and wood using simple tools.
Curated OER
Catapult Unit
Students understand the need for carefully defining the problem before searching for a solution. They understand the need for carefully defining the problem before searching for a solution. Students compare a variety of catapults and the...
Curated OER
Prisoners in Another War
Students identify violations of the Geneva Convention in video clips. They discover the role of international bodies in dealing with war crimes. They read primary source documents as well.
Curated OER
Particle Models in Two Dimensions
In this motion worksheet, students draw and label the trajectory of objects including the x-component and y-component of the velocity. Students calculate acceleration and speed. This worksheet has 7 problems to solve.