The class examines graphs in the form r = F(¿¿) in polar coordinates (r, ¿¿), in particular with the circle, ellipse and other conic sections. They determine the nature of an ellipse by studying the role of the semimajor axis and...

Navigate the world of orienteering in an informative interactive. Earth science scholars learn practical direction skills, such as proper polar coordinates and pairing compasses with maps. The interactive map allows them to practice...

Engage your aspiring physicists in a series of lab activities directied at demonstrating the behavior of electric force. In completing these exercises, learners will explore Coulomb's and Gauss's Laws. Well-written directions to four...

Students use cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) in 3-dimensional space. [Optional: appreciate there exist two ways of defining the z axis, and which of them is used.] They become familiar with the tools and terms used by surveyors.

In this van Allen Radiation Belts worksheet, students are given the formula for the field line of the Earth's inner magnetic field. Students use this equation to find the polar coordinates of a field line in the van Allen Belts. They...

Knowing about the hydrologic cycle is the first step to understanding the carbon cycle. Upper graders discuss the earth's water content, polar ice caps, and the concept of the ecological cycle as it applies to carbon, nitrogen, and other...

You matter, unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light ... then you energy. Presentation covers the behavior of light as both a wave and a particle, light versus sound, space travel, why objects have colors, depth perception,...

Physics lab groups finagle with laser lights to determine the critical angle of refraction for both water and Lucite. Because there are no detailed steps or an answer key for this enlightening exercise, an inexperienced physics...

Students construct a sketch of the planets in our solar system using concentric circles and angles. In this solar system lesson plan, students plot the position of each planet on concentric circles using graph paper. The sun is included...

In this ion rocket and orbits instructional activity, students read about the spiral orbit the Dawn spacecraft took due to its ion rocket motor. Students solve 3 problems including finding the path taken by the spacecraft, determining...

In this calculating arc lengths worksheet, students are given 4 simple functions and they use the Pythagorean Theorem and the basic techniques of calculus to find the arc-length formula in order to find the arc-length.

In this frames of reference worksheet, students solve 5 problems given the details of a journey an ant takes from the center of a CD ROM to its edge. Students draw a scaled sketch of the turntable showing the motion of the ant from...

Students examine the differences between a virus and a bacteriophage. They explore various websites, identify the parts of a virus and a bacteriophage, and construct a model of a virus or bacteriophage.

An organized table charting the different types of chemical bonds arrays this resource. The octet rule, ionization energy, and the naming of compounds are also reviewed. Young chemists answer review questions in multiple choice fashion....

This resource provides two ways to engage learners in using latitude, longitude, and research skills. In pairs, or on their own, learners will locate several Antarctic regions on a map. They will write the name of the place and a few key...

Students use satellite data to compare precipitation and surface temperatures on different islands.  In this satellite instructional activity students create graphs and explain the differences between weather and climate. 

Students are introduced to the concept/idea of a vector, what it represents and why they are used. They develop an understanding of what vectors are, how and why they are used.

Students explain that planets actually orbit the center of gravity of the solar system, and that distant planets may be detected by motions of their central star around the centers of gravity of their planetary systems.

Students use space technology to monitor migratory species, map their movements, and gather data about their habitats and possible responses to climatic shifts.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Definition of polar coordinates, plotting points on a polar coordinate graph

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Converting between polar and cartesian coordinates

Wikipedia's site on centripetal force provides a section explaining the difference between centripetal force and centrifugal force. Includes formulas and hyperlinked terms.