Students experiment with the velocity of a spring. In this velocity instructional activity, students conduct trials in order to determine the initial velocity of a spring. They stretch the spring different amounts and fire it both...

Students determine the center of percussion and the center of mass for a baseball bat.  In this projective motion lesson students demonstrate the relationship between the position of the baseball bat and when its in the position in...

What would a baseball game look like on the moon? Probably a lot of home runs! A creative activity explores the motion of a projectile on the surface of different bodies in the solar system. Participants adjust the angle and...

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.

Students research Galileo's work and contributions to science. They make a timeline of Galileo's life, discuss the historical context for his book "Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems" and examine his trial by the Inquisition for...

Young engineers work in teams to design and build their own trebuchets according to certain criteria; they must be able to launch a mini marshmallow accurately into a pie tin. Background reading material, a planning sheet for trebuchet...

Students use the design process to investigate physical science.  In this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance.  Students...

Students explore projectile motion by modeling that motion using Interactive Physics simulation software. They study horizontal and vertical velocity and solve basic problems related to projectile motion.

Students explore Newton's three laws, gravity, momentum, trajectory, projectiles, circular motion, and friction by observing and breaking down skateboard tricks. They view short video clips of Tony Hawk and explain the physics concepts...

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...

Twelfth graders look at local speed limits and traffic controls and see if they are reasonable. They plot the displacement and time to represent velocity, develop a plan for improving the current system, and organize experimental...

High schoolers explain the four stroke process in internal combustion engines. In this physics lesson, students role play this process and present their reenactment in class. They draw and label the diagram of an internal combustion engine.

Students simulate crater formation through a lab activity. In this space science lesson, students calculate how much energy is transferred during meteorite impact. They identify different factors affecting the size and depth of craters...

Students record data of using a track system with variables and how those variables affect a ball used in the track. In this track lesson plan, students design their own track in groups, test the ball's rates of speed, and record their...

Students determine the muzzle velocity of projectile launcher. In this physics lesson plan, students compare the pendulum method and kinematic method in calculating the initial velocity. They analyze data and discuss results in class.

Twelfth graders examine the physics of rocket flight. They build and launch model rockets to measure their performances.

Students study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.

Pupils 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...

Pupils review horizontal and vertical shifts of a parabola and how they effect a specific quadratic formula. They play a basketball review game in which they try to find the right quadratic equation for a given problem in order to earn...

Students explore velocity and trajectory. Using exterior ballistics rules, students predetermine the path of an artillery shell. Given equations and the firing angle, students determine the velocity and horizontal travel. Students...

An interactive simulation that teaches about kinematics, air resistance, and parabolic curve by shooting a car out of a cannon while trying to hit a target. Observe how changes in angle, initial speed, mass, air resistance, and drag...

Scroll down to Lesson 2 for a complete tutorial on projectile motion. Content covered in these tutorials includes an explanation of what a projectile is, what the characteristics of a projectile's trajectory are, horizontal and vertical...

This instructional activity is for 9th grade physical science students. It begins with an inquiry-based instructional activity using a projectile motion computer simulation. It culminates with students building a catapult; applying and...

Students watch video clips from October Sky and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to learn about projectile motion. They explore the relationships between displacement, velocity and acceleration and calculate simple projectile...