US Department of Energy
Sunlight and Evaporation
Here is a simple inquiry experiment designed to demonstrate that the energy from sunlight can evaporate water. Young scientists follow provided procedural steps to construct a model of our atmosphere using a bowl, a cup, water and...
Curated OER
Reading the Waves
Students view video segments which reveal the parts of sound and what factors control sound. The viewing and post-viewing activities serve to reinforce the video segments using worksheets and hands-out experiments.
Curated OER
Erosion: On the Move...Defending the Coast Against Wave Attack
Students study how people have tried to save beaches from wave erosion. They examine what has occurred to Cape Hatteras as a result of beach erosion and the efforts to reduce the erosion.
Curated OER
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Learners study hearing and are able to differentiate between different sound waves. In this sound wave lesson students develop a cause and effect model that shows the parts of the ear.
Curated OER
How Does Sound Travel As Waves?
Seventh graders participate in a number of activities designed to increase their understanding of how sound is generated and how it travels.
Prestwick House
Introducing Symbols–The Beach
Looking for a way to introduce class members to the concept of symbolism and multiple levels of meaning? Readers examine two different passages about the beach and consider how the writers use concrete objects, and places to...
Exploratorium
Modulated Coil
Transmit sound with an electromagnet. Class members follow the provided direction and build an electromagnet that will transmit sound though a cassette-tape player. As as extension they create an air core electromagnet and...
Curated OER
Does that Sound Right to You?
Ninth graders are introduced to the components of compressional and transverse. They practice answering speed problems involving different mediums that waves travel trhough and then review the wave PowerPoint. They then visit physics...
Curated OER
HW Unit 10:2-Harmonic Motion
In this harmonic motion worksheet, students answer 9 questions about pendulums, a slinky and characteristics of harmonic motion. They identify the changes in waves as the amplitude gets bigger and interpret a graph of position vs. time.
Curated OER
AC Phase
In this AC phase worksheet, students answer 24 questions about AC and DC voltages, phasor diagrams, sine wave graphs and Lissajous figures.
Curated OER
Harmonic Motion and Light Review
For this harmonic motion and light worksheet, high schoolers review concepts such as identifying motion as harmonic, linear or wave motion, analyzing graphs of position vs. time and pendulum movement, answering questions about light and...
Curated OER
Hurricane!
Young scholars model the effects of wind speed and water depth on the height of waves during a hurricane. In this meteorology lesson, students use a flexible straw and a 9X 13 baking dish to measure the differences in wave...
Curated OER
The Speed of Galaxy Q2125-431
In this speed of a galaxy worksheet, students use a given equation for the speed of an object and they use the spectral lines for Hydrogen Alpha and Beta from the Seyfert galaxy to answer 6 questions. They determine the observed...
Curated OER
Diffraction of Laser Light, Polarization and Color Filters
Students investigate light behavior by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the wavelength of the light source using an equation. They determine what color is produced when light...
Curated OER
Why Are Hot Things Red?
For this radiation and temperature worksheet, students use 2 methods to derive the Wein Displacement law that shows the relationship between the temperature of a body to the frequency where the Planck curve's value is at its maximum....
Curated OER
What Role Does Light Play Within the Vision Process?
Pupils are introduced to the relationship between light and vision. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover how different wavelengths are divided in the visible spectrum. They record their answers and discuss their...
Curated OER
Power
If you need to teach about power, this is an outstanding educational resource! It provides definitions of work and power, and gives examples to help junior physicists apply the information. The format is neat and the graphics are...
Curated OER
Effect of Technology on the Environment
There's no doubt that one of the most consistent dangers to our environment is the risks associated with the extraction and shipment of oil. This lesson focuses on oil spills - how they happen, the effects they have on the environment,...
Curated OER
AC Waveforms
In this AC waveforms worksheet, students answer ten questions about AC voltage, frequencies of waveforms and they interpret diagrams of AC voltage.
Curated OER
HW Unit10:8- Color
In this color activity, high schoolers answer 16 questions about light, color and wavelength. They label a graph of position vs. displacement and answer questions about the graph including finding the frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
Cornell University
Shedding a "Little" Light on Cancer Surgery
Many types of cancer treatments now depend on nanotechnology—a big "little" discovery. Scholars begin by removing "malignant" tissue from simulated brains, one using fluorescent markers thanks to nanotechnology and one without. This...
Curated OER
Strange Sounds
Students investigate sound as a form of energy. In this energy, forces, and sound lesson plan, students explore how different sounds may be made as they make a variety of materials vibrate. Students observe the effects of vibrations and...
Curated OER
Elements of Chemistry: Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter
Students explore scientific theories and the works of scientists. For this chemistry lesson students develop a timeline that shows how scientists work was built on the ones before them.
Curated OER
Sending Messages to Space
Students interpret a message sent to space using a radio telescope and draw inferences from the interpreted message. Working with a partner, they interpret data that scientists believe is a message from aliens. They work on organizing...