Ring and Disc Demonstration
The ring and disc investigation is a classic physics demonstration designed to introduce the concepts of rotational inertia, rotational motion, and rolling motion. Both the disc and the ring have the same diameter, width, and mass. When simultaneously released from rest at the same point on an inclined plane, the disc accelerates faster, reaching the […]
Newton’s Laws, Friction, and Hovercraft
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 60 mins Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 30 mins Physical Science 6-12 Middle/High School Total Time: 60 minutes [ Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 30 mins ] Subject: Physical Science Grade: Middle and High School Overview Students can engineer a simple hovercraft that illustrates Newton’s laws of motion and […]
The Physics of Vision
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 30 mins Prep: 10 mins | Activity: 20 mins Physical Science 8-12 Middle/High School Total Time: 30 minutes [ Prep: 10 mins | Activity: 20 mins ] Subject: Physical Science Grade: Middle and High School Overview Understanding vision requires a knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology. This activity emphasizes […]
After the AP® Exam: What Now?
Your students worked hard and were well prepared. The test has come and gone, and there’s still time left on the school calendar. So, what happens now? You have a variety of options—including extending your curriculum, research projects, career exploration, service learning projects, and college preparation projects, to name a few. Ideas for Promoting Learning […]
A Model for Heat Capacity of Metals
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 60-70 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 45-55 mins Physical Science | Chemistry 9-12 High School Overview This simple activity models how kinetic energy is transformed into heat or thermal energy on the particle level. Additionally, by comparing data for 3 different metals—aluminum, copper, and lead—students construct a model […]
Writing Strategies for AP® Exams
Teachers and students continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. This situation has impacted AP® students, teachers, and courses. Given the tumultuous nature of the past two school years, students need more help and practice now than ever before. As you focus on the science content, do not overlook the importance of […]
Newton’s Law of Cooling
Newton’s law of cooling states that the rate at which an object cools is proportional to the difference in temperature between the object and the object’s surroundings. Simply put, a glass of hot water will cool down faster in a cold room than in a hot room. This simple principle is relatively easy to prove, and the experiment has repeatable and reproducible results.
How to Make a Good Scientific Model
Are your students able to generate observations and then construct a good scientific model? After your students complete an inquiry activity, use our scientific model checklist to guide them through constructing and refining a model. Encourage students to use the checklist to ensure their model is sound. Allow lab groups to switch models and critique them. Go […]
The Conical Pendulum
An Experiment in Circular Motion and Centripetal Acceleration The conical pendulum lab allows students to investigate the physics and mathematics of uniform circular motion. A motorized, plastic plane* is suspended from a thin string and “flies” in a circular path with a constant speed. The plane and the supporting string trace a conical pendulum. Students […]
Derivation of the Kinematics Equation
High school physics courses usually begin with a study of classical mechanics. Early in the course students are introduced to the equations of motion, the kinematics equations. Kinematics Kinematics is the study of the motion of objects without concern for the forces causing the motion. These familiar equations allow students to analyze and predict the […]