INTERACTIONS AND FORCES
H.P.2A.1
Felix Baumgartner
Video
Great video for introduction to unit. Red Bull Stratos, 2012: Felix Baumgartner reached an estimated speed of MACH 1.24 jumping from the stratosphere, making him the first man to break the speed of sound in freefall.
Position vs Time Graph – Part 1
Video and Interactive simulation
Mr. Andersen shows how to interpret a position vs. time graph for an object with constant velocity. The slope of the line is used to find the velocity. The PhET simulation “Moving Man” is also included.
The Moving Man
Interactive simulation
Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration graphs by moving the man back and forth with the mouse and plot his motion. Also, the player can set the position, velocity, or acceleration and let the simulation move the man.
Position vs Time Graph – Part 2
Video
Mr. Andersen shows how to read a position vs. time graph to determine the velocity of an object. Objects that are accelerating are covered in this podcast. He also introduces the tangent line (or the magic pen). This video is based on the PhET simulation “Moving Man”.
H.P.2A.2
Scalars & Vectors
Video
Mr. Andersen explains the differences between scalar and vectors quantities. He also uses a demonstration to show the importance of vectors and vector addition.
Position vs Time Graph – Part 1
Video and interactive
Mr. Andersen shows how to interpret a position vs. time graph for an object with constant velocity. The slope of the line is used to find the velocity. The PhET simulation “Moving Man” is also included.
H.P.2A.3
H.P.2A.4
Position vs Time Graph – Part 1
Video and interactive simulation
Mr. Andersen shows how to interpret a position vs. time graph for an object with constant velocity. The slope of the line is used to find the velocity. The PhET simulation “Moving Man” is also included.
The Moving Man
Interactive simulation
Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration graphs by moving the man back and forth with the mouse and plot his motion. Also, set the position, velocity, or acceleration and let the simulation move the man.
Position vs Time Graph – Part 2
Video
Mr. Andersen shows how to read a position vs. time graph to determine the velocity of an object. Objects that are accelerating are covered in this podcast. He also introduces the tangent line (or the magic pen). This video is based on the PhET simulation “Moving Man”.
Speed, Velocity & Acceleration
Videos and practice problems
Mr. Andersen explains the basic quantities of motion. Demonstration videos and practice problems are also included. The difference between scalar and vector quantities is also discussed.
Ladybug Motion 2d
Interactive simulation
Learn about position, velocity and acceleration vectors. Move the ladybug by setting the position, velocity or acceleration, and see how the vectors change. Choose linear, circular or elliptical motion, and record and playback the motion to analyze the behavior.
Projectile Motion
Interactive simulation
Blast a car out of a cannon and attempt to hit a target! Learn about projectile motion by firing various objects. Set parameters such as angle, initial speed, and mass. Explore vector representations and add air resistance to investigate the factors that influence drag.
H.P.2A.5
H.P.2A.6
H.P.2B.1
Forces and Motion: Basics
Interactive simulation
Explore the forces at work when pulling against a cart, and pushing a refrigerator, crate, or person. Create an applied force and see how it makes objects move. Change friction and see how it affects the motion of objects.
Tennis Ball Cannon
Interactive simulation
Explore the effects of air drag on a tennis ball launched up at an angle. This simulation uses realistic default values for a tennis ball to simulate the distance traveled at various speeds and launch angles (player can also change the drag coefficient).
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Video
Mr. Andersen defines Newton's three laws of motion. He describes how the first law relates to inertia, how the second law relates to mass and acceleration, and how the third law allows a rocket to launch.
Newton’s Laws
Interactive, video, and lesson plan
Resources on each of Newton’s Laws organized in 4 lessons. Each law is a different lesson.
H.P.2B.2
Free Body Diagrams
Interactive
Mr. Andersen shows how to draw free body diagrams of various objects. The major forces (like gravity, normal, tension, friction, air resistance, etc.) are discussed and then applied to various problems.
H.P.2B.3
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Video
Mr. Andersen defines Newton's three laws of motion. He describes how the first law relates to inertia, how the second law relates to mass and acceleration, and how the third law allows a rocket to launch.
Newton’s Laws
Interactive, video, and lesson plan
Resources on each of Newton’s Laws organized into 4 lessons. Each law is a different lesson.
H.P.2B.4
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Video
Mr. Andersen defines Newton's three laws of motion. He describes how the first law relates to inertia, how the second law relates to mass and acceleration, and how the third law allows a rocket to launch.
Newton’s Laws
Interactive, video, and additional information
Resources on each of Newton’s Laws organized into 4 lessons. Each law is a different lesson.
H.P.2B.5
Momentum
Video
Introduction to momentum. Mr. Andersen explains the concept of momentum. He also shows how to solve simple momentum problems. He finally demonstrates how momentum is both conserved and relative.
How Much Momentum Does It Take to Stop a Running Back?
Article
Introduction to momentum. This article relates mass, momentum and motion using a running back as an example.
Momentum and its Conservation
Interactive, animations, and lesson plan
Two lessons from the Physics Classroom website that has tutorial, animations and practice problems on momentum.
Collision Lab
Interactive simulation
Use an air hockey table to investigate simple collisions in 1D and more complex collisions in 2D. Experiment with the number of discs, masses, and initial conditions. Vary the elasticity and see how the total momentum and kinetic energy changes during collisions.
H.P.2B.6
Momentum
Video
Introduction to momentum. Mr. Andersen explains the concept of momentum. He also shows how to solve simple momentum problems. He finally demonstrates how momentum is both conserved and relative.
How Much Momentum Does It Take to Stop a Running Back?
Article
Introduction to momentum. This article relates mass, momentum and motion using a running back as an example.
Momentum and its Conservation
Interactive, animations, and lesson plan
Two lessons from the Physics Classroom website that has tutorial, animations and practice problems on momentum.
H.P.2B.7
H.P.2B.8
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Video
Mr. Andersen defines Newton's three laws of motion. He describes how the first law relates to inertia, how the second law relates to mass and acceleration, and how the third law allows a rocket to launch.
Newton’s Laws
Interactive, video, and lesson plan
Resources on each of Newton’s Laws organized into 4 lessons. Each law is a different lesson.
H.P.2B.9
Balancing Act
Interactive simulation
Place objects on a seesaw to learn about balance and then test what you’ve learned.
H.P.2B.10
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Video
Mr. Andersen defines Newton's three laws of motion. He describes how the first law relates to inertia, how the second law relates to mass and acceleration, and how the third law allows a rocket to launch.
Newton’s Laws
Interactive, video, and lesson plan
Resources on each of Newton’s Laws organized into 4 lessons. Each law is a different lesson.
H.P.2C.1
The Physics Classroom: Free Body Diagram
Interactive and lesson plan
Create free body diagrams through this interactive tool and get immediate feedback and suggestions to correct errors.
Forces and Motion
Interactive simulation
Try to push a filing cabinet and explore the forces at work and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time. View a Free Body Diagram of all the forces (including gravitational and normal forces).
H.P.2C.2
Forces and Motion
Interactive simulation
Try to push a filing cabinet and explore the forces at work and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time. View a Free Body Diagram of all the forces (including gravitational and normal forces).
H.P.2C.3
H.P.2C.4
Hooke’s Law
Interactive simulation
Stretch and compress springs to explore the relationships between force, spring constant, displacement, and potential energy! Investigate what happens when two springs are connected in series and parallel.
H.P.2C.5
Forces and Motion
Interactive simulation
Try to push a filing cabinet and explore the forces at work and see the resulting friction force and total force acting on the cabinet. Charts show the forces, position, velocity, and acceleration vs. time. View a Free Body Diagram of all the forces (including gravitational and normal forces).
H.P.2D.1
Balloons and Static Electricity
Interactive simulation
Grab a balloon to explore concepts of static electricity such as charge transfer, attraction, repulsion, and induced charge.
H.P.2D.2
Gravity Force Lab
Interactive simulation
Visualize the gravitational force that two objects exert on each other. Adjust properties of the objects to see how changing the properties affects the gravitational attraction.
Skydiving
Interactive simulation
Explore air drag by dropping a can of frosting or a gold brick and using different parachutes to change the amount of air drag.
Satellite Motion
Interactive simulation
Satellite motion is computed using realistic values for Earth’s mass, orbital radius, and satellite speed (displays numerical, bar graphs, and vector arrows).
Your Weight on Other Worlds
Interactive simulation and lesson plan
Introductory Activity-- Explore how the differing gravities on other celestial bodies would affect your weight.
H.P.2D.3
H.P.2D.4
H.P.2D.5
H.P.2D.6
H.P.2D.7
H.P.2D.8
H.P.2D.9
H.P.2D.10
INTERACTIONS AND ENERGY
H.P.3A.1
H.P.3A.2
H.P.3A.3
Bill Nye Demonstration: Happy and Sad Balls
Interactive, video, and lesson plan
Introductory demonstration or activity that gives students the opportunity to communicate how the energy is conserved during collisions.
H.P.3A.4
H.P.3A.5
Machines, Mechanical Advantage, Efficiency
Video
Learn about machines, mechanical advantage, and efficiency.
H.P.3B.1
Trust in Physics
Video
Walter Lewin demonstrates conservation of mechanical energy with a large pendulum.
Energy Skate Park: Basics: Intro, Friction, & Playground
Interactive simulation
Use models (such as computer simulations, drawings, bar graphs, and diagrams) to exemplify the transformation of mechanical energy in simple systems and those with periodic motion and on which only conservative forces act.
H.P.3B.2
H.P.3C.1
H.P.3C.2
H.P.3C.3
H.P.3D.1
Standing Wave Simulator
Interactive simulation
Create standing waves in a virtual rope or watch air molecules as they vibrate in a virtual tube. Individually adjust frequency, wave speed, amplitude, or select and analyze pre-made harmonics.
Wave Interference
Interactive simulation
Make waves with a dripping faucet, audio speaker, or laser! Add a second source to create an interference pattern. Put up a barrier to explore single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference. Experiment with diffraction through elliptical, rectangular, or irregular apertures.
Wave on a String
Interactive simulation
Observe a string vibrating in slow motion. Wiggle the end of the string and make waves or adjust the frequency and amplitude of an oscillator.
H.P.3D.2
Wave Superposition
Video
In this video Paul Andersen explains how waves interact when moving through one another. Unlike particles waves can interfere both constructively and destructively. The amount of interference is determined through the superposition principle and can be verified through experimentation.
Superposition of Sound
Video
Examples of superposition, i.e. interference of sound waves. Beats are formed when two notes are out of tune, and can two loud sounds make a soft sound?
H.P.3D.3
Doppler Effect: Sound Waves
Activity
When a sound source moves in relation to you, its pitch changes. From this effect you can determine whether the source is moving toward or away from you, and you can estimate how fast it’s going.
H.P.3D.4
H.P.3E.1
Ohm’s Law
Interactive simulation
See how the equation form of Ohm's law relates to a simple circuit. Adjust the voltage and resistance and see the current change according to Ohm's law.
H.P.3E.2
H.P.3E.3
Electric Current and Potential Difference
Interactive activity
Introduction to circuits (parallel and series) ammeters, voltmeters, insulators, and conductors.
H.P.3E.4
H.P.3E.5
PhET Circuit Construction Kit: DC
Interactive simulation
Plan and conduct controlled scientific investigations using wires, light bulbs, resistors, batteries, and a voltmeter to determine how connecting resistors in series and in parallel affects the power and brightness of light bulbs.
DC Circuit Builder
Interactive simulation
Simulate parallel, series, or complex circuits using resistors, light bulbs, wires, switches, a battery, voltmeters, and ammeters in this interactive circuit simulation.
H.P.3E.6
H.P.3E.7
H.P.3F.1
H.P.3F.2
Lens and Mirror Lab
Interactive simulation
Change the location of the candle and use the ray diagrams to determine the location of the image (converging and diverging lenses and mirrors).
Wave Interference
Interactive simulation
Make waves with a dripping faucet, audio speaker, or laser! Add a second source to create an interference pattern. Put up a barrier to explore single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference. Experiment with diffraction through elliptical, rectangular, or irregular apertures.
H.P.3F.3
Bending Light
Interactive simulation
Explore bending of light between two media with different indices of refraction. See how changing from air to water to glass changes the bending angle. Play with prisms of different shapes and make rainbows.
H.P.3F.4
Wave on a String
Interactive simulation
Explore the wonderful world of waves! Even observe a string vibrate in slow motion. Wiggle the end of the string and make waves or adjust the frequency and amplitude of an oscillator.
H.P.3F.5
Electromagnetic Waves
Video and discussion questions
Watch this animation for an introduction to electromagnetic waves and the ways in which they carry energy.
Radiowaves and Electromagnetic Fields
Interactive simulation
Broadcast radio waves from PhET. Wiggle the transmitter electron manually or have it oscillate automatically. Display the field as a curve or vectors. The strip chart shows the electron positions at the transmitter and at the receiver.
H.P.3F.6
Simplified MRI
Interactive simulation
Is it a tumor? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can tell. Your head is full of tiny radio transmitters (the nuclear spins of the hydrogen nuclei of your water molecules). In an MRI unit, these little radios can be made to broadcast their positions, giving a detailed picture of the inside of your head.
H.P.3G.1
The Periodic Table
Interactive
Learn how the periodic table works and think about how and why elements interact to make matter.
Build an Atom
Interactive simulation
Build an atom out of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and see how the element, charge, and mass change. Then play a game to test your ideas!
H.P.3G.2
H.P.3G.3
H.P.3G.4
Nuclear Fission
Interactive simulation
Start a chain reaction or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Control energy production in a nuclear reactor!
Alpha Decay
Interactive simulation
Watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the half-life.
H.P.3G.5