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Looking at The Force on a Vehicle
Students build a vehicle following technical drawings. They set up a system to pull the vehicles. Students compare and discuss how the motion of the vehicles changes more or less weight on a string is used to pull them.
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Impulse/Momentum Lab
Students investigate the relationship between force and momentum using motion detectors and sensors. In this physics lesson, students graph experimental results. They calculate impulse using the area under the graph.
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Rube Goldberg Project
Young scholars apply inquiry and problem solving approaches in science. They design a device (invention) that solves a special problem.
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Building Blocks for a Healthy Body
Students watch a video and discuss the benefits of regular exercise. They use books, Internet sites and interviews with health professionals to develop a list of activities to develop physical fitness.
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America's Pastime
Young scholars relate Newton's Laws of Motion to the game of baseball. They compare and contrast the materials used in baseballs that could affect their performance. They also determine how friction can be increased or decreased in a...
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Water and Ice
Students explore the physical properties of water. In this water lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. There are 2 extensions for this lesson that one can access via the Internet links provided.
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Sports and Exercise Activity
Eighth graders practice utilizing motor skills by participating in different sports activities. In this physical education lesson, 8th graders participate in racquetball, shuttle cock, and baseball style activities in order to...
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The Discovery of the Solar System
Pupils study the ideas behind the heliocentric theory of Copernicus. They examine about retrograde motion of the planets as they move around the sun. They study astronomers who include Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Galileo.
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"Go-Car" Lab
Young scholars construct a car based on directions given. In this physics lesson, students calculate average speed using distance and time information. They collect data and create a graph of distance vs. time.
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Geometry of Radio Meteor Reflections
Ninth graders investigate and describe ways that human understanding of Earth and space has depended on technological development. They describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing...
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The Way Things Fall
Students explore concept of acceleration and motion under the influence of gravity, starting with free fall and ending with motions that start out with both horizontal and vertical initial velocities.
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Buoyant Force
Students investigate the scientific concept of why some objects float when put in a liquid solution. They apply the laws of motion and force while conducting classroom activities. Students also take notes and answer target questions to...
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Will it Stretch?
Students explore elasticity and describe the effects of temperature changes on physical properties. For this rubber band stretch lesson students complete an experimental activity and show their results.
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Good Vibrations: Building a Wave Model
Students assess and apply recurring patterns in natural systems. They evaluate the wave properties of frequency, wavelength, and speed as applied to sound. Students develop a relationship to quantify aspects of wave motion. They predict...
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Atmospheric Cells
Learners recognize that the sun is the source of energy driving atmosphere cells. They relate the motion of the atmospheric cells to mantle convection cells. Students recognize that the function of atmospheric cells is to move heat from...
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World Wide Winds
Students recognize that global winds move in specific directions in specific latitudes and describe that in a written form. They relate the motion of the wind belts to historical navigation.
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Winds Go Spinning Around
Students simulate the Coriolis Effect to comprehend why winds in the Westerlies are prone to cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motion. They arrive at an explanation of processes that drive world wind patterns
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Waves Velocity & Particle Velocity
In this physics learning exercise, students examine a single wave pulse which travels down a slinky. Then they sketch a single ring of the slinky as the wave goes by and determine whether the wave is constant or not.
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Jet Engine Magazine
Students explore physics by creating a magazine cover in class. In this flight instructional activity, students identify the motion and force that must be generated in order for a jet engine to lift off the ground. Students create a...
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Biodiesel Combustion and Its Influences in NOx Emissions
Tenth graders evaluate the physical mechanisms that cause a change in NOx emissions. For this combustion lesson, 10th graders participate in a research project. Students create a presentation of their findings.
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Newton's Theory of Universal Gravitation
Students explore how Newton tied together the gravity observed on Earth and the motion of the Moon. They apply an earlier lesson about centripetal forces.
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Recognizing and Describing Chemical Changes
Seventh graders distinguish between physical and chemical changes in both natural and technological settings. They identify the reactants and products for a given chemical reaction. they then write simple chemical equations given the...
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The Human Pendulum
Learners explore the pendulum. In this physics lesson, students investigate how length, amplitude and mass affect the period of a pendulum. The learners will engage in an exploratory activity in order to best grasp the concepts of motion...
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Building And Launching a Model Rocket
Students are introduced to the basic parts of rockets and the physical forces at work in the flight of rockets. They build and launch a model rocket and discuss the challenges of launching a real rocket.