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Unit Plan
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Quantum Atom

For Students 9th - 10th
Several pages with an interesting discussion of the visible light spectrum and atomic absorption and emission line spectrum. Features excellent graphics, thorough and understandable discussion, and many interactive Java applets.
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Website
Other

Holoworld: Frank De Freitas Holography

For Students 9th - 10th
This website focuses on Frank DeFreitas including his biography and the science of holograms and the technology of making holograms. Illustrated with examples.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/mechanics (Force and Motion)

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Bicycle Wheel Gyro

For Students 9th - 10th
Description of a museum exhibit in which the spinning bicycle wheel induces the rotation of a student in a rotating chair. Excellent demonstration idea.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Gyroscope

For Students 9th - 10th
Description of a museum exhibit in which the forces exerted by two gyroscope wheels are analyzed. Excellent demonstration idea.
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Unit Plan
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Inertia and Mass

For Students 9th - 10th
This is part of a lesson on Newton's Laws of Motion that focuses on inertia and mass. It restates Newton's first law of motion. The lesson also gives a helpful visual description concerning friction.
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Handout
Boston University

Bu: Optics: Geometric Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
Several short descriptions of demonstrations which illustrate principles of geometric optics (many of which focus upon refraction).
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Activity
Boston University

Bu: Optics Demonstrations: Interference

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Several short descriptions and graphics of demonstrations which illustrate principles of interference. Suitable as a supplement for a teacher lesson plan or as an idea-generator for a student project.
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Third Law of Motion

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This Illinois Institute of Technology site is a lesson plan and lab that utilizes a toy rocket to investigate Newton's third law. Includes directions and practical applications.
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Activity
Boston University

Optics Demonstrations: Holograms

For Students 9th - 10th
A short description of a demonstration involving a hologram. Suitable as a supplement for a teacher lesson plan or as an idea-generator for a student project.
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Activity
Boston University

Bu: Optics Demonstrations: Diffraction

For Students 9th - 10th
Short descriptions and graphics of three demonstrations which illustrate the diffraction phenomenon. Suitable as a supplement for a teacher lesson plan or as an idea-generator for a student project.
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: The Center of Mass

For Teachers 7th - 9th
This site from the Illinois Institute of Technology provides a lab activity in which young scholars determine the location of the center of mass of an irregularly shaped object. Observations are related to the balancing point of the...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Activity: Helicopter

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Illinois Institute of Technology lets young scholars investigate the aerodynamics of a helicopter, focusing on the variables which effect the lift, thrust, drag, and weight. Students investigate the effects of aerodynamics on a wide...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Work: Come Fly With Me

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site by the Illinois Institute of Technology lets students use a vacuum cleaner hose, ping pong balls, straws and other materials to investigate the effect of moving air upon the surfaces which it hits. Principles are applied as...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Lab Work Forces & Acceleration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Illinois Institute of Technology provides this site. The site contains a graphing activity which illustrates that a constant force exerted upon an object results in constant acceleration. Rolling carts and stopwatches are used to...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Center of Gravity Lab

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This Illinois Institute of Technologysite provides a lab activity in which students find the center of gravity of a box which has nonuniform weight distribution. Complete with directions and discussion questions; answers provided.
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Colliding Spheres

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lab activity from the Illinois Institute of Technology lets students investigate the impact of collisions upon the velocity and momentum of the colliding objects. Requires understanding of vectors.
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Sports in Physics: Measuring Velocity in a Mini Olympic

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Illinois Institute of Technology provides this site on Physics. It is a student lab investigation in which students compare the concept and quantity of velocity to that of acceleration. Includes directions, ideas for assessment, a...
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Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Momentum Conserved

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site by the Illinois Institute of Technology gives a Lab activity in which young scholars use a variety of toys to discover Newton's second law and momentum conservation. Newton's cradle, skate boards, and a toy motorcycle are...