Curated OER
Parachutes
Pupils examine how parachutes work, and research and discuss the first man to envision and sketch the first parachute. They analyze air resistance, drag force, drop time, and terminal velocity.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Projectile Motion
An interactive simulation that teaches about kinematics, air resistance, and parabolic curve by shooting a car out of a cannon while trying to hit a target. Observe how changes in angle, initial speed, mass, air resistance, and drag...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Physics of the Flying T Shirt
Students are introduced to the physics concepts of air resistance and launch angle as they apply to catapults. This includes the basic concepts of position, velocity and acceleration and their relationships to one another. They use...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Atwood Machine in Fluid Model
Simulation of an Atwood machine where two masses of varying densities are suspended in water using a pulley system. Adjust the densities of the masses, their positions and the water level to see how the changing gravitational, buoyant,...
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Serc: Lower Atmosphere Temperature Profile
Students are challenged to measure the temperature profile of the lower atmosphere. Experiment serves as an introduction to buoyancy, drag force, sensor calibration, and data plotting.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: May the Force Be With You: Drag
This lesson plan explores the drag force on airplanes. The students will be introduced to the concept of conservation of energy and how it relates to drag. Students will explore the relationship between drag and the shape, speed and size...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Glossary for Newton's Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity
This is a glossary of terms and definitions used in Chapter 5: Further Applications of Newton's Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity from the AP Physics online text.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Lab Activity: Aviation
This site from the Illinois Institute of Technology provides a student lab activity in which the flight of a paper airplane is investigated and studied. Designed for primary grades, but easily adaptable for junior high students.
NASA
Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
This site from NASA uses a colorful graphic to illustrate why objects reach terminal velocity. Provides equation for the terminal velocity of an object. Graphic is accompanied by a simple explanation.