Students practice calculating average velocity, average speed, and acceleration. They will also calculate force and weight.

In this activity, students are introduced to static equilibrium by learning how forces and torques are balanced in a well-designed engineering structure. A tower crane is presented as a simplified two-dimensional case. Using Popsicle sticks and hot glue, student teams design, build and test a simple tower crane model according to these principles, ending with a team competition.

This video clip is meant to serve as a writing or discussion prompt during a unit on forces and motion. This can be used at varied grade levels, with the expectation that student responses would be more complex in higher grade levels.

In this activity, students will analyze a video featuring an airplane on a string. The tension in the string can be read from an on-screen scale, timing measurements can be made from the frame-counter, and the angle of the string can be determined from an overlaid protractor. While this doesn't seem like enough information, it's actually enough to allow students to calculate the angular and linear velocity of the plane, the mass of the plane, the radius of its circular path, and the length of the string. It is an engaging problem that forces students to think clearly about some concepts that they frequently find confusing, like tension, circular motion, and centripetal acceleration.

In this activity, students will collect data using a Force Plate and accelerometer and then download the data to the computer for further analysis. They will be asked to draw Free Body Diagrams at different points in the motion, calculate forces and compare this to the data retrieved from their computer graphs.

In this interactive building experience, students will design and construct a complex machine to do a fairly simple task. Students will calculate several kinetic quantities of different parts of their machine. Students will create an engineering manual that provides a step-by-step method of building the machine and also calculates costs associated with the machine's production. Students will brainstorm ideas to increase the effectiveness of their machine while decreasing the costs of its production.

In this lesson, student teams compete to construct the fastest car, using their knowledge of physics.

This activity guides students through the process of analyzing the motion of a car as it moves across an ice rink and then rapidly decelerates as the brakes are pressed. In addition to one dimensional kinematics, the worksheet prompts students to consider both the frictional force and measurement uncertainty.

In this activity, students are introduced to the concepts of static and kinetic friction and discover how the type of surface involved affects the strength of the frictional force.

This activity is a part of the lesson plan "Shoes Under Pressure". In this activity students will design and build shoe prototypes that convert between high heels and athletic shoes. They apply their knowledge about the mechanics of walking and running as well as shoe design (as learned in the associated lesson) to design a multifunctional shoe that is both fashionable and functional.

This activity is intended for an entry level algebra-based physics course in the chapter of forces in two directions. The objective of this lesson is for students to use a direct measurement video to calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction of a block sliding down a ramp. This video is best used after the students have a good grasp of forces in two directions, and the students must have prior experience with direct measurement videos.

In this lab activity, students build a container to safely deliver 2 eggs from the top of the school to the pavement below. Students will use the mass of the container and the time it takes to fall to calculate average velocity, acceleration, momentum, and force as it hits the ground.

Students observe and understand motion of a projectile launched horizontally. They will apply kinematics equations to data to determine the time of flight, velocity with which the ball leaves the table, and the acceleration on the ramp.

In this activity, students view a Direct Measurement Video that applies Newtonian mechanics to a model of an amusement park ride. An Einstein "action figure" (doll) is pinned against a vertical wall on a rotating platform. As the platform slows its rotation, Einstein slips down the vertical surface. Students can make measurements and calculations to determine the minimum speed that will keep Einstein from sliding, and calculate the coefficient of static friction between Einstein and the wall. In addition, students can develop an experiment that will let them determine the coefficient of sliding friction as Einstein slides down the vertical surface.

In 1997, Brazilian football player Roberto Carlos set up for a 35-meter free kick with no direct line to the goal. Carlos's shot sent the ball flying wide of the players, but just before going out of bounds it hooked back to the left and soared into the net. This video explains the physics (the Magnus Effect) behind one of the most magnificent goals in the history of football.

Students learn about lift, weight, thrust, and drag in relation to flight. This page would be a great introduction to a lesson or a great closing of a lesson.

Students will learn what falling down an elevator shaft and orbiting Earth have in common. A variety of activities including Watch Your Weight, Falling Fluids, and Spring Things.

This article provides several challenges that students will be able to solve by applying simple physics principles. Solutions are provided.

The Gravity Assist Simulator takes you through a series of simulated collisions to show how the New Horizon and Messenger spacecraft will use planned collisions to extend their missions.

This activity is a part of the lesson plan "Red Light, Green Light". In this activity students will gain first hand experience on how friction affects motion. Students will build a hovercraft with a balloon and CD (compact disk), learning that a bed of air under an object significantly reduces the friction as it slides over a surface.