Alabama Learning Exchange
Jump! An Exploration into Parametric Equations
Explore parametric equations in this lesson, and learn how to determine how much time it takes for an object to fall compared with an object being launched. high scoolers will use parametric equations to follow the path of objects in...
University of Texas
Free-Body Diagram
Preparing for an AP test is about more than bubble sheets and memorization. The two activities in this resource require a direct application of skills learned throughout an AP Physics course.
Curated OER
Bloodstain Pattern Simulations: A Physical Analysis
Students receive bloodstain pattern evidence from a crime scene. They answer a series of questions through inquiry, observation, measurement, and analysis. Pupils complete this challenge, by reconstructing the evidence through four...
Curated OER
Navigation Across the Seas
Students examine nautical navigation and discover the differences between nautical charts and other types of maps or charts. Students practice setting a course, taking a bearing, and dead reckoning. This gives students an example of...
Curated OER
Physics Rewind
Eighth graders differentiate speed and velocity. In this physics lesson, 8th graders explain Newton's laws of motion. They calculate speed using a mathematical formula.
Curated OER
Sitting on Nails-Boyle's Law
Students experience pressure as a force per unit area in this experiment with a board of nails. In this physics lesson, students discover Boyle's law as they perform experiments with pressure.
Curated OER
Contact Angle. Interfacial Tension and Wetting
High schoolers determine the contact angle of water on different surfaces. For this physics lesson, students calculate their percent error using a mathematical formula. They explain the advantages of using non-wetting surface for certain...
Curated OER
Motion in Two Dimensions
Two activities employ the use of kinematic equations for determining projectile ranges. They both require the use of a toy dart gun. Included in this resource are both the teacher's guide and student laboratory sheets. This is an...
Curated OER
Coulomb's Law
Students solve problems involving electric charges and force. In this physics instructional activity, student solve word problems using addition and subtraction of vectors. They identify the direction represented by a vector as it...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Applying Newton’s Third Law of Motion in the Gravitron Ride
Here is a collection of readings to be discussed in the science classroom. This one is in the form of a dialog between two boys in an amusement park, talking about the forces involved in a Graviton ride. Questions are listed at the...
Curated OER
Paper Suspension Bridges: You Want Me To Go Up There?
A few class periods will be required to complete this physics investigation with your high schoolers. There is an unavailable video written into the lesson plan, but there is plenty of material here to bridge the gap. Two terrific...
Curated OER
Electric Field Mapping in 3D
Students create a 3D vector field map of an electric field. In this physics activity, students measure the voltage inside an aquarium with water. They present their findings and map to class..
Curated OER
Light My Fire!
Students draw a diagram that shows the law of reflection. For this physics lesson, students investigate the relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of reflection. They explain how light travels as it reflects on a surface.
Curated OER
Newton's Laws
Learners examine and discuss Newton's Laws and discover his contribution to physics. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they much apply the Laws to the world around them. They describe contact and conservative forces...
Curated OER
Roller Coaster Physics
Students design a roller coaster that allows a marble to run the course as fast as possible. Students create an experimental roller coaster taking into account the steepness of the hills and the sharpness of the turns. Students use a...
Curated OER
Tiger Woods Physics
High schoolers 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...
Curated OER
Investigating Newton's Second Law Of Motion
Students participate in a instructional activity that investigates Newton's Second Law of Motion. They conduct an experiment of observing balls that are rolled down a ramp. The instructional activity includes background information for...
Curated OER
A Simple Motor
Instructions for building a simple electromagnetic motor are provided for the teacher. Aside from some sketchy background information and a list of content standards to be met, that is about all you will find in this resource. The motor...
Curated OER
Forces, Controls And Aircraft Systems
Students are introduced to the physics of flight through video and PowerPoint presentations. They construct and fly model gliders and compete for height, distance, time, etc.
Curated OER
Newton's Third Law
Students describe an everyday situation which demonstrates Newton's Third Law. They state Newton's Third Law;"Every action has an equal and opposite re-action, or every force has an equal and opposite force" in their own words. ...
Curated OER
Was Kepler Correct?
High schoolers are introduced to Kepler's 2nd law of Planetary Motion. The lesson reinforces the understanding of focal points. They calculate the sector area of an ellipse.Students expand understanding by modeling Kepler's 2nd Law of...
Curated OER
Lab for Truss Design and Testing
Students design and build their own truss. In this physics lesson, students calculate the forces and maximum load. They complete a full scale diagram of their design.
Curated OER
Gyrocopter - Describing Rotary Motion
Learners calculate angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of gyrocopters. In this physics lesson, students compare data taken from 3 different gyrocopters. They explain how differences in construction material affect rates of...
Curated OER
Magnetic Field Activities
Learners explore the idea of magnetic field through investigations of magnetic fields as produced by various common magnetic materials and direct currents. They study the vector nature of fields, the ubiquity of field sources in the...