Rotating Frames of Reference

We often remind pupils to cite their references, but this lesson helps them understand there are many frames of reference. Scholars experiment with throwing a ball straight up in the air and catching it. Then they must do it again while...

In this frames of reference instructional activity, 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...

By the end of this section, you will be able to discuss the inertial frame of reference, discuss the non-inertial frame of reference, and describe the effects of the Coriolis force.

In the following interactive students will begin to discuss the inertial frame of reference and the non-inertial frame of reference. They will also describe the effects of the Coriolis force.

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

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Relative motion is always measured with a frame of reference. Evaluate a variety of frames of reference and inertial frames to understand relative motion.

Explore the effects of drawing in a straight line within a rotating frame of reference. This activity requires a turntable. If this is unavailable, a cake turntable with a glued-on center post might work as well.

Test your class' coordination as they model the Coriolis Effect. Forming a large circle, learners move to the right as they try to toss a ball to the person across from them. The movement of the circle represents the rotation of the...

Students are given a visual demonstration of the Coriolis Force in the Northern Hemisphere. They are encouraged to find locations around the globe and try to predict what the weather circulation patterns might be like.

The Coriolis force is a central element of the dynamics of ocean and atmosphere flows.