CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Walk the Tightrope
[Free Registration/Login Required] Understand the concept of rotational inertia [moment of inertia) by analyzing the motion of a circus tightrope walker using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also...
Cosmo Learning
Cosmo Learning: Fundamentals of Physics
A collection of video lectures from a fundamentals of physics course taught at Yale University. The course is an introduction to physics and discusses Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, gravity, thermodynamics, and waves. Course...
Other
My Physics Lab: Roller Coaster
Create a simplified roller coaster with this simulation by creating a track shape for a ball to travel on. Students can change gravity and damping. Site includes equations to help students understand what is happening in the simulation.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Circular Orbit
The necessity of gravitation to a circular orbit is discussed and equations for the orbital speed are derived from the law of universal gravitation. Binary systems in which two objects orbit about a center of mass are explained and...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Forces in Action
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart explains weight and gravity and engages students in activities using force and motion.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Scientist: Isaac Newton
Investigate Isaac Newton's biography on this site. Learn how he was a scientist who discovered gravity, the three laws of motion, and calculus. He is considered one of the great scientists in history.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Orbits and Gravitation
A page describing the physics, mathematics, and historical figures associated with planetary motion, satellite motion, and universal gravitation.
NASA
Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
This site from NASA uses a colorful graphic to illustrate why objects reach terminal velocity. Provides equation for the terminal velocity of an object. Graphic is accompanied by a simple explanation.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Cavendish and the Value of G
A short description of how Cavendish measured the value of G - the universal gravitation constant and supported Newton's theory. Illustrated.
University of Virginia
Uva Physics: Using Vectors to Describe Motion
Background information on vectors and their use in describing motion in two dimensions. A comparison of Aristotle's and Galileo's perspectives on force and motion is given.
NASA
Nasa: The Way Things Fall
This site from NASA compares free falling motion to falling with air resistance. Discusses Galileo's experiment. Explains why we believe all objects free fall with the same acceleration.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Paper Mache Solar System
This site from the Illinois Institute of Technology provides a set of directions for the creation of a solar system model out of paper mache. Includes orbital distances and planet diameters for the nine planets. Great idea for a student...
MadSci Network
The Mad Scientist Network: Bouncing Rubber Ball
A question and answer format is used to relate elastic potential energy to the bounce of a rubber ball. Explanation of this simple phenomenon is thorough, complete, and free of trite statements.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Isaac Newton (1643 1727)
This life of Isaac Newton' traces his life from birth through childhood to his rise as a renown scientist and mathematician.
Physics4kids
Physics 4 Kids: Work Quiz
Take this ten question multiple choice quiz on the physics of work.
University of Minnesota
The Physics of Flight: Bernoulli's Principle
Discusses air flow around the wing of a plane and its effect upon the lift and drag forces. Focuses on the application of Bernoulli's principle to wing design and the subsequent airfoil shapes.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar System!
An introduction to our solar system: the planets, our Sun and our Moon. Students begin by learning the history and engineering of space travel. They make simple rockets to acquire a basic understanding Newton's third law of motion. They...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Dams
Through eight lessons, students are introduced to many facets of dams, including their basic components, the common types (all designed to resist strong forces), their primary benefits (electricity generation, water supply, flood...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Does the Intensity of Light Change With Distance?
How far would you have to travel so that the light of the full sun would provide "daylight" no brighter than twilight on Earth? This project describes a method to verify the inverse square law: how light, sound, electrical signals, and...
NASA
Nasa: The Rocket Motor
An online version of a book pertaining to task of launching rockets into space and subsequently navigating them through space. The first several "chapters" (pages) describe the influence of gravity on Earth and the barriers which it...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Isaac Newton
A brief biography on scientist Isaac Newton, highlighting his discoveries and the book he published in 1687, "Principia", which was on his theories of gravity and laws of motion.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Isaac Newton
A biography of the scientist that developed the theory of gravity and founded the three basic laws of motion, Isaac Newton.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Weightlessness Experiment
Demonstrate how water and a cup fall at the same rate of speed.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Gravitational Potential Energy
This site defines and explains the concept of gravitational potential energy. Uses many equations and graphics to illustrate the idea. Provides an online computational practice set with immediate feedback.