Curated OER
Barometer and Boiling Points
Diagrams bring barometers to light in this PowerPoint. Several slides explain the structure and function of this apparatus. The relationship of air pressure to the processes of evaporation and boiling are also explained. This would be an...
Exploratorium
Falling Feather
Whether or not Galileo actually dropped balls from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this demonstration will solidly demonstrate that objects are accelerated at the same rate, regardless of mass. You will, however, need a vacuum pump and a few...
Virginia Department of Education
Vapor Pressure and Colligative Properties
Hate to vacuum, but enjoy using a vacuum pump? Explore a activity that starts with a demonstration of boiling water at various temperatures by using a vacuum pump. Then scholars design their own experiments to measure vapor pressure and...
Curated OER
Boyle's Law
Young scholars work in small groups and use a hand-held vacuum pump with a balloon under the dome with some air. Another deflated balloon is attached to the end where the air goes out. As the air is drawn out of the dome the first...
Nuffield Foundation
Going up in Smoke
Don't let all your hard work go up in smoke. Pupils conduct an experiment to see the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. They observe how smoke changes the color of white wool and an indicator solution.
Curated OER
Boyle's Law Lab
In this gas lab, students use a pressurized soda bottle with a closed end syringe to simulate Boyle's Law. They alter the volume and watch the effects on the pressure of the gas. They plot their data and answer eight post lab questions.
Curated OER
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Challenge your students with this activity on misplaced and dangling modifiers. This 20 question worksheet could be used after a lesson on this topic to cement students' understanding.
Curated OER
From Vibration to Sound
Learners observe a series of demonstrations to illustrate wave movement. In this sound wave lesson, students witness how objects create waves when dropped in a dish of water, use a rope and slinky to produce transverse and longitudinal...
Curated OER
The Improvement of the Electric Light Bulb
Students study how the first electric light was made and the history behind it. In this electricity lesson plan students create their own light bulb.
Curated OER
Chemical Compounds
In this chemical compounds learning exercise, students identify the types of intermolecular forces present in the given substances, calculate the heat required to convert a liquid to gas, and explain the ideal-gas law. This learning...
Curated OER
Electron Microscope
In this microscope activity, students use an on line site to answer questions about how a Scanning Electron Microscope works. They also conduct a virtual microscope activity where they view ten specimens and identify what each is.
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Bomb (E-Bomb)
Learners explain how E-bomb works. In this physics lesson, students simulate the effects of e-bombs on electronic targets. They discuss its potential harmful effects when used as a weapon.
Curated OER
Atoms, Kinetic Theory, Solids and Fluids
Pupils identify and describe the building blocks that make up an atom. They also compare the ages of atoms to the ages of the materials they compose,as well as, give examples that illustrate the small size of atoms.
Curated OER
Robert Boyle and Experimental Methods
Students discuss the difference between the Baconian inductive method and the Aristotelian deductive approaches. They complete a given set of questions then discuss them with the class.
Curated OER
Electric Motors
Students examine the different types of electric motors including their history and classification. In this motor lesson students complete several experiments with different motors.
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: Measure the Pressure -- The "Wet" Barometer
Students use simple objects to create their own barometer. They have five days to build it and ten days to observe and collect data. They examine thunderstorm safety tips to end the lesson.
University of Maryland
University of Maryland: Boiling Water by Pumping
A page from the University of Maryland Physics Lecture Demonstration Facility. Provides directions for a teacher demonstration which utilizes a Bell jar and vacuum pump to show the dependency of boiling point upon pressure. Shows...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Bell Jar Demonstration
A bell jar is evacuated to show the properties of a vacuum and air pressure. Pictures and a description of how to perform the demonstration are given.
The National Gallery (UK)
The National Gallery: Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
As part of a larger exhibit on science and the history of scientific instruments, this site examines a painting by Joseph Wright and its connection to the scientific studies of the vacuum. The painting, which is accompanied by a...