Posts Tagged ‘Newton’s Laws’
Toy Popper Lab – Update #1
Posted by: Scott on: January 5, 2011
We finished the lab today. I gave the kids two days to do it. Most of them figured out the initial velocity by the end of the first day. The start of the second day, I put two hints on the board. For question 2, I put up t=d/Vagv. For question 3, I told them [...]
Party Popper Lab
Posted by: Scott on: December 31, 2010
Am I the only teacher that spent half of the holiday break grading papers and working on lessons? Here is a lab my students will be working on when they come back from break on Monday. I figure it will give me a day or two to settle in without having to get up front [...]
Quick Newton’s Laws Demo
Posted by: Scott on: December 3, 2010
I was discussing Newton’s Laws and trying to explain how the tension increases in an elevator cable when it starts moving up. The kids get it that the tension when it’s not moving is equal to the weight of the load, but once it starts moving, they get wacky. Some seem to think the only [...]
Balloon Rocket Lab
Posted by: Scott on: December 19, 2009
I admit I’ve been holding out on you. Let’s just say I thought this one was a bit too low level. I beefed it up and it’s perfect for my Conceptual Physics classes now. I just did it this week and I like the results. See that rocket shaped balloon on the right… good luck [...]
Finding the Normal Force on an Incline
Posted by: Scott on: November 30, 2008
When we discuss normal forces, I drum into the students’ heads that the force is perpendicular to the surface. They get that eventually. Where they get into trouble is on an incline when the angled component of the weight of an object F(i)=mg*cos(Θ). I called this force F(i) meaning the force exerted on the incline [...]
Building Model Rockets
Posted by: Scott on: June 7, 2008
- In: Activities | Outdoor | Projects
- 7 Comments
I started building model rockets with my students this year and I’m glad I did. Most of my students have never built or launched rockets before. A few did in eighth grade, I think maybe two or three did with their parents, but out of the 100 or so seniors that I teach, that’s was [...]
Hoverpuck – Must Have
Posted by: Scott on: June 6, 2008
Have you seen one of these? It’s a small, battery powered hovercar in the shape of a large hockey puck. It’s only about six or eight inches across. When I’m teaching Newton’s 1st law, I take these out (I have three of them) and I launch them around the room. I let the kids play, [...]
The Apple and the Banana
Posted by: Scott on: June 2, 2008
These were new to me, I saw Lou Bloomberg do them at an Educator’s Day up at Penn State. This is for the teacher to do since it involves a sharp knife. Place an apple on the edge of the table and use a long knife and a quick flick of the wrist to slice [...]
Pulling out the Tablecloth
Posted by: Scott on: June 1, 2008
I hope everyone that teaches inertia does this demonstration. I let the kids do it also. I have a couple dos and don’ts for making this a success. Pull the tablecloth out with a quick, single motion. If you pull slowly, friction will start the dishes moving towards you. Choke up on the tablecloth. You [...]
Matchstick Rockets
Posted by: Scott on: May 29, 2008
This is a favorite of the students. After studying Newton’s Laws of motion, we spend a day making rockets from paper match sticks. The process is simple, tear out a paper match, cover the top with a small piece of tightly wrapped aluminum foil, heat the match with a lighter and watch it launch. Students [...]
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