In this activity students analyze the motion of a student walking across the room and predict, sketch, and test distance vs. time graphs and velocity vs. time graphs.

This pathways exapnds the concepts of motion from one dimension into two dimensions. Two key applications of this are the pendulum and projectile motion. The pathways concludes with questions that test understanding of the topic.

Study the motion of a toy car on a ramp and use motion sensors to digitally graph the position data and then analyze it. Make predictions about what the graphs will look like, and consider what the corresponding velocity graphs would look like.

Students design, build and evaluate a spring-powered mouse trap racer. For evaluation, teams equip their racers with an intelligent brick from a LEGO© MINDSTORMS© NXT Education Base Set and a HiTechnic© acceleration sensor. They use acceleration data collected during the launch to compute velocity and displacement vs. time graphs. In the process, students learn about the importance of fitting mathematical models to measurements of physical quantities, reinforce their knowledge of Newtonian mechanics, deal with design compromises, learn about data acquisition and logging, and carry out collaborative assessment of results from all participating teams.

Mechanical energy is the most easily understood form of energy for students. When there is mechanical energy involved, something moves. Mechanical energy is a very important concept to understand. Engineers need to know what happens when something heavy falls from a long distance changing its potential energy into kinetic energy. Automotive engineers need to know what happens when cars crash into each other, and why they can do so much damage, even at low speeds! Our knowledge of mechanical energy is used to help design things like bridges, engines, cars, tools, parachutes, and even buildings! In this lesson, students will learn how the conservation of energy applies to impact situations such as a car crash or a falling object.

In this activity, students use the motion detector to collect position data and study the relationship between position and velocity. They explore the relationship between functions and their derivatives. Students learn to connect mathematical relationships to real-world phenomena.

Detailed video tutorial lesson covers motion, speed, velocity, average speed, and acceleration. [38:08]

In this very detailed lesson plan from NASA, students investigate wavelength and frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum.

Explains why passing the puck in ice hockey is such an important skill. The puck is an example of a velocity vector and vectors can be added to determine the direction and speed of the puck. [4:28]

At this site from The Nobel Foundation you can read about the scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1907, Albert A. Michelson (1852-1931 CE). Here, you can read a detailed biography which provides information on Michelson's education and scientific experiments. Also provided are the "Presentation Speech," which was given by Professor K.B. Hasselberg, and Michelson's "Nobel Lecture."

A video explaining the formula to calculate average velocity if the acceleration is constant, and initial velocity and time period is known. The theory behind the equation is discussed as well as an example given. [14:09]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

An interactive air hockey simulation that teaches about collisions, momentum, and velocity. This simulation can either be downloaded or played online and includes handouts, lesson plans, and additional materials.

Explore the forces at work when you try to push a filing cabinet. Create an applied force and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time.

Explore the forces at work when you try to push a filing cabinet. Create an applied force and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time. View a Free Body Diagram of all the forces (including gravitational and normal forces). Java required.

Explore the forces at work when you try to push a filing cabinet. Create an applied force and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time. View a Free Body Diagram of all the forces (including gravitational and normal forces). Java required.

Use this simulation to see the results of applying a force to move an object. Analyze forces and friction using graphs.

Manipulate a ladybug's position, velocity, and acceleration, and see how the vectors change in this interactive simulation. Software download is necessary.

Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration vectors by moving the ladybug. Set the position, velocity, or acceleration, and see how the vectors change.

Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration in the "Arena of Pain." Use the green arrow to move the ball. Add more walls to the arena to make the game more difficult. Try to make a goal as fast as you can.

Try the new "Ladybug Motion 2D" simulation for the latest updated version of the original game. Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration vectors.