The Way Things Fall

In this motion learning exercise, students complete motion word problems where they explain and define issues having to do with motion. Students complete 32 problems.

Each of the slides here gives a definition, equation, or calculation example for a component of force and motion. This large collection covers topics from momentum and Newton's laws to centripetal forces and simple machines. Animations...

Many people believe terminal velocity is the speed at which you can't survive a landing, but that is not the correct definition. Terminal velocity is actually the speed when the drag equals the force of gravity. The video explains the...

Does space have its own gravity? And, if so, why do astronauts just float around in the space station? Science sleuths examine the forces acting upon astronauts in the International Space Station with help from the narrator. He...

An illustrated article helps physics students learn about center of mass and velocity, and define the concept of inertia.

Students calculate acceleration due to gravity with the measurements of the period of a pendulum or measurements of the time for an object to fall from different heights. They observe and measure the effect of air resistance on the...

In the following interactive module, students will describe the effects of gravity on objects in motion. They will also describe the motion of objects that are in freefall and calculate the position and velocity of objects in freefall.

Hit a bullseye with an engaging presentation about the components of projectile motion. Viewers see how horizontal and vertical motion combine to create the parabolic path of projectile motion. 

A collection of mechanics activities. Many pertain to Newton's laws of motion. Step-by-step directions provided with illustrations. Great for teacher demos or student projects.

Future physics majors look at a diagram of a marble rolling across a railing. They sketch motion maps and force diagrams. They determine the horizontal range of the marble as it falls to the floor. Then they double the height and repeat...