SSAC Physical Volcanology module. Students build a spreadsheet to calculate velocity of …
SSAC Physical Volcanology module. Students build a spreadsheet to calculate velocity of rising magma in steady-state Plinian eruptions using conservation of mass and momentum.
This inquiry lab activity involves students working to understand the characteristics of …
This inquiry lab activity involves students working to understand the characteristics of electrically charged objects using common materials. Students will develop new testable questions.
Showing your class a working cloud chamber is one of the best …
Showing your class a working cloud chamber is one of the best ways to generate student interest in modern physics. The cloud chamber described below will display natural background radiation (muons generated by cosmic-ray collisions and background radiation). Furthermore, you can build it with materials that are readily available.
Students measure and analyze forces that act on vehicles pulling heavy objects …
Students measure and analyze forces that act on vehicles pulling heavy objects while moving at a constant speed on a frictional surface. They study how the cars interact with their environments through forces, and discover which parameters in the design of the cars and environments could be altered to improve vehicles' pulling power. This LEGO® MINDSTORMS® based activity is geared towards, but not limited to, physics students.
This video segment adapted from the Space Telescope Science Institute shows what …
This video segment adapted from the Space Telescope Science Institute shows what the Hubble telescope found when it stared at a single, nearly empty spot in the sky for 10 days in 1995. The unexpected result was a picture of a multitude of galaxies stretching into the distance.
Students do work by lifting a known mass over a period of …
Students do work by lifting a known mass over a period of time. The mass and measured distance and time is used to calculate force, work, energy and power in metric units. The students' power is then compared to horse power and the power required to light 60-watt light bulbs.
Through four lessons and four hands-on associated activities, this unit provides a …
Through four lessons and four hands-on associated activities, this unit provides a way to teach the overarching concept of energy as it relates to both kinetic and potential energy. Within these topics, students are exposed to gravitational potential, spring potential, the Carnot engine, temperature scales and simple magnets. During the module, students apply these scientific concepts to solve the following engineering challenge: "The rising price of gasoline has many effects on the US economy and the environment. You have been contracted by an engineering firm to help design a physical energy storage system for a new hybrid vehicle for Nissan. How would you go about solving this problem? What information would you consider to be important to know? You will create a small prototype of your design idea and make a sales pitch to Nissan at the end of the unit." This module is built around the Legacy Cycle, a format that incorporates findings from educational research on how people best learn. This module is written for a first-year algebra-based physics class, though it could easily be modified for conceptual physics.
In this activity, students will explore what can be learned about a …
In this activity, students will explore what can be learned about a planet by studying the forms of water that exist there. They will begin by using fun facts about Mars to create a comic detailing its cold climate. After finding a frozen reservoir on Mars during the virtual experience, students will look more closely at what can be discovered from studying ice cores. They will ultimately develop a recommendation about which phase of water should be studied to learn more about life on Mars.
In this lesson students will use UV beads to observe and draw …
In this lesson students will use UV beads to observe and draw energy. Students will describe how light can be produced, reflected, refracted, and separated into visible light of various colors.
Students are introduced to the concept of inertia and its application to …
Students are introduced to the concept of inertia and its application to a world without the force of friction acting on moving objects. When an object is in motion, friction tends to be the force that acts on this object to slow it down and eventually come to a stop. By severely limiting friction through the use of the hover pucks, students learn that the energy of one moving puck is transferred directly to another puck at rest when they collide. Students learn the concept of the conservation of energy via a "collision," and will realize that with friction, energy is converted primarily to heat to slow and stop an object in motion. In the associated activity, "The Puck Stops Here," students will investigate the frictional force of an object when different materials are placed between the object and the ground. This understanding will be used to design a new hockey puck for the National Hockey League.
Students use a simple set up consisting of a coil of wire …
Students use a simple set up consisting of a coil of wire and a magnet to visualize induced EMF. First, students move a coil of wire near a magnet and observe the voltage that results. They then experiment with moving the wire, magnet, and a second, current carrying coil. Students connect the coil to a circuit and the current from the induced EMF charges a conductor.
This activity allows students to deduce part of Newton's Law of Inertia …
This activity allows students to deduce part of Newton's Law of Inertia that states an object in motion will stay in a straight line motion unless an outside force acts on it.
In this video segment adapted from NASA, astronomer Michelle Thaller introduces the …
In this video segment adapted from NASA, astronomer Michelle Thaller introduces the world of infrared light and demonstrates how infrared cameras allow us to see more than what the naked eye can perceive.
This video segment adapted from NOVA illustrates why carbon is at the …
This video segment adapted from NOVA illustrates why carbon is at the center of life on Earth. It also asks whether carbon-based life might exist on other planets.
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