Curated OER
Inertial Mass, Weight, and Newton's Second Law of Motion
The stage is set for you to guide future physicists through three forceful activities about motion. In the first, learners experiment with rolling carts to discover how objects interact. In the second, they inspect images of an object in...
Florida International University
Simulating Microgravity with Buoyancy
How do astronauts know how to live and work in a weightless environment? It doesn't come naturally! Junior physicists conduct experiments to examine the link between buoyancy and microgravity. Each activity illustrates a different aspect...
Curated OER
Waves
Although this was written to accompany a specific textbook, the information can illustrate wave motion for any advanced level physics course. The slides are simple, use plain but colorful fonts, and include diagrams and pictures to...
Curated OER
Weightlessness
Students compare and contrast the terms "weight" and "mass". In this physics instructional activity, students observe an experiment in which objects are placed on a balance scale and weighed under different circumstances. Partners drop...
Curated OER
Weightlessness
Students use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Free Falling and Weightlessness
Discover the difference between free-falling and weightlessness in this interactive activity from the NOVA: "Stationed in the Stars" Web site.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation
In the following interactive students will explain Earth's gravitational force and describe the gravitational effect of the Moon on Earth. They will discuss weightlessness in space and examine the Cavendish experiment.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Space Science: Bill Nye: Weightless Clothespin
Created to teach students of the 21st century, SOPHIA is bringing the world of science straight to your fingertips. Become the commander of your own learning experiences as you take part in this interactive experiment.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Mass, Weight, and Weightlessness
Site from HyperPhysics dealing with the topic of mass and weight. In addition the site deals with weightlessness. The numerous links to other pages help the student see how ideas are interrelated.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Traveling to Mars? What Your Body Needs to Know [Pdf]
A unit lesson plan around the central question: "How does space flight affect the human body, including weightlessness, and how can humans protect themselves for such long-distance travel?" During this lesson, middle schoolers will...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Newton's Laws: Elevator Ride Interactive
Have you ever felt that queasy feeling in a moving elevator? Explore the physics behind the sensations of weightlessness and weightiness. Teacher notes and a downloadable handout are also provided.
PBS
Pbs Teachers:microgravity
Consider how you might feel in microgravity. Watch kids use the scientific method to determine how ordinary objects behave in microgravity.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Stationed in the Stars
Examine the factors that impact an astronaut's freefall in space. Differentiate between zero gravity, weightlessness and freefall.
PBS
Pbs: Nova: Top Gun Over Moscow
An online exhibit investigating the sensations experienced by a cockpit pilot in a Russian aircraft. Focuses on G-forces and apparent weightlessness.