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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Laws of Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the effect of thin films to surface friction. In this physics lesson, students calculate the coefficient of friction using mathematical formulas. They discuss its importance in their everyday lives.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tops: Angular Motion

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe different ways that objects spin. In this physics instructional activity, students observe several objects spinning and use the new vocabulary words "rotate" and "revolve" to describe how the objects spin. The...
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PPT
Curated OER

Newton's Laws

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Beginning with definitions of mass and foce, this excellent set of slides summarizes Newton's Laws of motion and universal bravitaions. Components of each law are explained along with examples and questions to inspire discussion. This is...
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PPT
Curated OER

Heat - A Form of Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Middle school or high school physical science pupils will warm up to the topic of heat when viewing this set of slides. It covers heat transfer, measurement tools, phase changes, and more. Have demonstrations and examples of the tools...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Measuring the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Scientists need to figure out how to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, but the magnetic field of the spacecraft is interfering with their readings. Scholars attempt to solve the problem that has perplexed NASA scientists for years.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners study hummingbirds and how they use Newton's law.  In this motion lesson students complete several activities and view videos of hummingbirds. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Lab in 9th Grade Physical Science

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders conduct experiments to determine what affects the rate of a pendulum's swing. Working in small groups, they identify an independent variable to study and create an experiment to test their hypothesis. When tests are...
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Activity
It's About Time

A Running Start and Frames of Reference

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Ttake learning to the next level! Individuals research inertial mass, a physical property of matter, and apply what they learn through a series of activities designed to stimulate the senses. They demonstrate Galileo's Principle of...
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Activity
It's About Time

Life (and Death) Before Seat Belts

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Did you know only 80-90% of passengers wear a seat belt in a moving car? Young scholars use clay and a cart to complete an experiment about what happens without a seat belt in a collision. The lesson includes Newton's Second Law of...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Alka-Seltzer Rockets

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Blast off! An engaging hands-on activity has pupils create rockets powered by Alka-Seltzer. They learn about the physics behind these rockets throughout the process.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Momentum Machine

For Teachers 9th - 12th
If you have a rotating office chair in your classroom, you can have physics pupils participate in this simple, yet effective demonstration of angular momentum. One partner sits in the chair, arms outstretched, holding heavy weights. The...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 3: Acceleration and Force

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A nine-page physics resource supports your lesson on acceleration. A step-by-step lesson plan walks you through the materials you need, the background information, steps for leading experimentation, and the explanation of the results....
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Activity
Exploratorium

Whack-a-Stack

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Go wild as you hit a stack of wooden blocks to demonstrate Newton's first and second laws of motion. The blocks at the top of the stack stay put as you knock one at a time out of the bottom. Note, however, that you will need to visit a...
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Activity
It's About Time

Push or Pull - Adding Vectors

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Demonstrate Newton's Second Law of Motion with an engaging lesson. Individuals explore the difference between forces in relation to a push or a pull, and they identify various forces that cause an object to move. They explore the concept...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit IX: Worksheet 2 - Impulsive Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Here are nine motion problems for physics fanatics to solve. Topics are pretty typical: rifles firing bullets, freight train cars colliding, astronauts gliding through space, balls being thrown. Pupils compute recoil speed, combined...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit IX: Worksheet 3 - Impulsive Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Eight motion-related problems are contained in this physics assignment. Upcoming physicists calculate combined velocity after collisions, impulse, and momentum. They also address critical thinking situations, making this a well-rounded...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit III: Worksheet 3 - Uniform Acceleration

For Students 9th - 12th
This three-page worksheet moves physics masters to show what they know about motion. They analyze graphs of time versus displacement, solve instantaneous and average velocities, solve word problems, and graph results. This is an...
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PPT
Curated OER

Velocity and Acceleration

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Compliment your physics lesson with this PowerPoint which demonstrates many important points regarding acceleration and velocity. A starter experiment activity to stimulate student thinking is given, and may prove very interesting to a...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit V: Worksheet 2 - Constant Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Physics learners studying force and acceleration practice solving eight problems with this assignment. They calculate acceleration and deceleration, net force, and distances required for stopping a moving object. Kinematics equations and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit VIII: Worksheet 1 - Central Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Disciples of physics practice solving acceleration and centripetal force problems. They construct qualitative motion maps and quantitative force diagrams in addition to using their critical thinking skills. Get your class moving by...
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Assessment
University of Washington

Kepler’s Laws

For Students 9th - 12th
Introduce your physics or astronomy class to Kepler's laws of planetary motion with this straightforward worksheet. It covers the basic concepts of each and has learners answer questions to demonstrate their grasp on them. You could use...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit IX: Worksheet 1 - Impulsive Force

For Students 9th - 12th
Bouncing balls and rockets taking off provide ammunition for your physics arsenal. Your class will solve mulit-step problems for velocity, momentum, and force. This is an ideal homework assignment for practice solving motion problems.
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Activity
It's About Time

The Rear End Collision

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Did you know one in every four car crashes are rear end collisions? The lesson explains what happens to your neck when you are involved in a rear end collision. Scholars experiment and apply Newton's Second Law of Motion. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Unit II: Worksheet 1 - Velocity

For Students 9th - 12th
Beginning physics scholars interpret two graphs depicting position versus time. For each graph, there is a series of questions to answer. The exercise is basic, but beneficial. Consider using it as an assessment of understanding after...