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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Bathroom: Ripping Neatly

For Students 3rd - 8th
A great science experiment to demonstrate Newton's First Law of Motion, inertia. There is a step-by-step guide on how to conduct this experiment and links to other sites about inertia.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics at Your Desk: Drumming Fingers

For Students 6th - 8th
An easy experiment through which students explore sound waves while tapping their fingers on a desk or table in a quiet room.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Living Room: Remote Control Tricks

For Students 6th - 8th
An easy experiment through which students learn about light rays and the electromagnetic spectrum. Requires a TV, its remote, and a hand-held, flat mirror.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Snow: Snowy Colors

For Students 6th - 8th
A simple experiment through which students observe the connection between color and heat and prove that dark-colored objects and light-colored objects heat at different rates, even when exposed to the same heat or light source.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Microwave: Microwave Soap

For Students 6th - 8th
An experiment involving a bar of soap and a microwave through which students explore how microwaves affect molecules.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in Your Glass: Racing Molecules

For Students 6th - 8th
An easy experiment for demonstrating and exploring molecule movement requiring common household items: two glasses, two dark colors of food coloring, and warm and cold water. A few variations to the experiment will have students using...
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics at Mealtime: Capillary Action

For Students 6th - 8th
An easy experiment that illustrates how water molecules move. Students will be able to conduct this activity quickly and easily and will only need a little liquid and a straw with a paper wrapper.
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Website
Physics Central

American Physical Society: Physics Central: Discover Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
Link to nine major physics topics and dig deeper into the content. Find out about the work of scientists in each field and see example physical science experiments.
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Website
Physics Central

American Physical Society: A Century of Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents year-by-year timeline of physics discoveries during the twentieth century. Just click on "Timeline," for a complete summary of physics history since 1896.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics by the Fire: Match Stick Rocket

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Match stick rockets makes a great demonstrations to show students Newton's third law. By covering a match with tin foil, students can see the reaction thrust as the molecules escaping the matchstick are propelled into the air. Lesson...
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Kitchen: The Magical Can Crusher

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will see first hand the force that is created by pressure as a can crushes before their eyes. This demonstration will show students how a can will collapse due to pressure from the air outside pushing against the can's exterior...
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Tool Shed: Toolaballoonaphone

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learn about compression waves and amplification through constructing a toolaballoonaphone! The toolaballoonaphone is made out an exercise ball, fish nets, wrenches, strings, scissors, and a clean waste basket that allows students to...
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Article
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics Buzz Blog : The Physics of Football

For Students 9th - 10th
Football is a sport almost made for physicists. Newton's three laws of motion are at work during every play and little things like the unpredictable bounce of the "prolate spheroid" - the football - can throw kinks into a game no...