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Standard 10 : Energy
This document was generated on CPALMS - www.cpalms.org
A. Energy is involved in all physical and chemical processes. It is conserved, and can be
transformed from one form to another and into work. At the atomic and nuclear levels energy is not
continuous but exists in discrete amounts. Energy and mass are related through Einstein's equation
E=mc2.
B. The properties of atomic nuclei are responsible for energy-related phenomena such as
radioactivity, fission and fusion.
C. Changes in entropy and energy that accompany chemical reactions influence reaction paths.
Chemical reactions result in the release or absorption of energy.
D. The theory of electromagnetism explains that electricity and magnetism are closely related.
Electric charges are the source of electric fields. Moving charges generate magnetic fields.
E. Waves are the propagation of a disturbance. They transport energy and momentum but do not
transport matter.
Number: SC.912.P.10
Title: Energy
Type: Standard
Subject: Science
Grade: 912
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Related Benchmarks
Code
SC.912.P.10.1:
Description
Differentiate among the various forms of energy and recognize that
they can be transformed from one form to others.
Remarks/Examples:
Differentiate between kinetic and potential energy. Recognize
that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Identify examples of transformation of energy: Heat to light
in incandescent electric light bulbs Light to heat in laser drills
Electrical to sound in radios Sound to electrical in
microphones Electrical to chemical in battery rechargers
Chemical to electrical in dry cells Mechanical to electrical in
generators [power plants] Nuclear to heat in nuclear reactors
Gravitational potential energy of a falling object is converted
to kinetic energy then to heat and sound energy when the
object hits the ground.
Explore the Law of Conservation of Energy by differentiating
among open, closed, and isolated systems and explain that the total
energy in an isolated system is a conserved quantity.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.2:
SC.912.P.10.3:
SC.912.P.10.4:
Use calorimetry to illustrate conservation of
energy. Differentiate between the different types of systems
and solve problems involving conservation of energy in
simple systems (Physics).Explain how conservation of energy
is important in chemical reactions with bond formation and
bond breaking (Chemistry).
Compare and contrast work and power qualitatively and
quantitatively.
Describe heat as the energy transferred by convection, conduction,
and radiation, and explain the connection of heat to change in
temperature or states of matter.
Relate temperature to the average molecular kinetic energy.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.5:
Recognize that the internal energy of an object includes the
energy of random motion of the object's atoms and molecules,
often referred to as thermal energy.
Create and interpret potential energy diagrams, for example:
chemical reactions, orbits around a central body, motion of a
pendulum.
SC.912.P.10.6:
Remarks/Examples:
Construct and interpret potential energy diagrams for
endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions, and for
rising or falling objects. Describe the transformation of
energy as a pendulum swings.
SC.912.P.10.7:
Distinguish between endothermic and exothermic chemical
processes.
Remarks/Examples:
Classify chemical reactions and phase changes as exothermic
(release thermal energy) or endothermic (absorb thermal
energy).
Explain entropy's role in determining the efficiency of processes
that convert energy to work.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.8:
Recognize that there is a natural tendency for systems to
move in a direction of disorder or randomness (entropy).
Describe entropy as a quantity that measures the order or
disorder of a system and that this quantity is larger for a more
disordered system.
Describe the quantization of energy at the atomic level.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.9:
Explain that when electrons transition to higher energy levels
they absorb energy, and when they transition to lower energy
levels they emit energy. Recognize that spectral lines are the
result of transitions of electrons between energy levels that
correspond to photons of light with an energy and frequency
related to the energy spacing between levels (Planck's
relationship E = hv).
Compare the magnitude and range of the four fundamental forces
(gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, strong nuclear).
SC.912.P.10.10:
Remarks/Examples:
Recognize and discuss the effect of each force on the
structure of matter and the evidence for it.
Explain and compare nuclear reactions (radioactive decay, fission
and fusion), the energy changes associated with them and their
associated safety issues.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.11:
Identify the three main types of radioactive decay (alpha,
beta, and gamma) and compare their properties (composition,
mass, charge, and penetrating power). Explain the concept of
half-life for an isotope (e.g. C-14 is used to determine the age
of objects) and calculate the amount of a radioactive
substance remaining after an integral number of half-lives
have passed. Recognize that the energy release per gram of
material is much larger in nuclear fusion or fission reactions
than in chemical reactions due to the large amount of energy
related to small amounts of mass by equation E=mc^2.
Differentiate between chemical and nuclear reactions.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.12:
Describe how chemical reactions involve the rearranging of
atoms to form new substances, while nuclear reactions
involve the change of atomic nuclei into entirely new atoms.
Identify real-world examples where chemical and nuclear
reactions occur every day.
Relate the configuration of static charges to the electric field,
electric force, electric potential, and electric potential energy.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.13:
Using Coulomb's law, determine the force on a stationary
charge due to other stationary charges, and explain that this
force is many times greater than the gravitational force.
Recognize the relationship between forces and their
associated potential energies and that the electric field is
directly related to the rate of change of the electric potential
from point to point in space.
Differentiate among conductors, semiconductors, and insulators.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.14:
Describe band structure, valence electrons, and how the
charges flow or rearrange themselves between conductors and
insulators.
Investigate and explain the relationships among current, voltage,
resistance, and power.
SC.912.P.10.15:
Remarks/Examples:
Use Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws to explain the relationships
among circuits.
Explain the relationship between moving charges and magnetic
fields, as well as changing magnetic fields and electric fields, and
their application to modern technologies.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.16:
Explain that moving electric charges produce magnetic forces
and moving magnets produce electric forces. Recognize the
Lorentz force is the force on a point charge due to
electromagnetic fields and occurs in many devices, including
mass spectrometers.
Explore the theory of electromagnetism by explaining
electromagnetic waves in terms of oscillating electric and magnetic
fields.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.17:
Recognize that an oscillating charge creates an oscillating
electric field which gives rise to electromagnetic waves.
Recognize a changing magnetic field makes an electric field,
and a changing electric field makes a magnetic field, and
these phenomena are expressed mathematically through the
Faraday law and the Ampere-Maxwell law.
Explore the theory of electromagnetism by comparing and
contrasting the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in
terms of wavelength, frequency, and energy, and relate them to
phenomena and applications.
SC.912.P.10.18:
Remarks/Examples:
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum (i.e., radio waves,
microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and
gamma rays) in terms of frequency, wavelength and energy.
Solve problems involving wavelength, frequency, and energy.
SC.912.P.10.19:
Explain that all objects emit and absorb electromagnetic radiation
and distinguish between objects that are blackbody radiators and
those that are not.
Describe the measurable properties of waves and explain the
relationships among them and how these properties change when
the wave moves from one medium to another.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.20:
SC.912.P.10.21:
Describe the measurable properties of waves (velocity,
frequency, wavelength, amplitude, period, reflection and
refraction) and explain the relationships among them.
Recognize that the source of all waves is a vibration and
waves carry energy from one place to another. Distinguish
between transverse and longitudinal waves in mechanical
media, such as springs and ropes, and on the earth (seismic
waves). Describe sound as a longitudinal wave whose speed
depends on the properties of the medium in which it
propagates.
Qualitatively describe the shift in frequency in sound or
electromagnetic waves due to the relative motion of a source or a
receiver.
Remarks/Examples:
Describe the apparent change in frequency of waves due to
the motion of a source or a receiver (the Doppler effect).
Construct ray diagrams and use thin lens and mirror equations to
locate the images formed by lenses and mirrors.
Remarks/Examples:
SC.912.P.10.22:
Use examples such as converging/diverging lenses and
convex/concave mirrors. Use a ray diagram to determine the
approximate location and size of the image, and the mirror
equation to obtain numerical information about image distance
and image size.
Related Access Points
Independent
Access Point Number
SC.912.P.10.In.4:
SC.912.P.10.In.6:
SC.912.P.10.In.5:
SC.912.P.10.In.7:
SC.912.P.10.In.8:
SC.912.P.10.In.9:
SC.912.P.10.In.1:
SC.912.P.10.In.2:
SC.912.P.10.In.3:
Access Point Title
Describe a process that gives off heat (exothermic), such as
burning, and a process that absorbs heat (endothermic), such as
water coming to a boil.
Identify that atoms can be changed to release energy, such as in
nuclear power plants, and recognize one related safety issue.
Identify fundamental forces, including gravitational and
electromagnetic.
Identify common conductors and insulators of electricity.
Identify that some electrical devices use different types of power
sources and explain what might happen if incorrect electrical
components are used.
Identify common applications of electromagnetic waves moving
through different media, such as radio waves, microwaves, x-rays,
or infrared.
Identify examples of energy being transformed from one form to
another (conserved quantity).
Identify power as work done in a certain amount of time using
measurable terms, such as watts or horsepower.
Relate the transfer of heat to the states of matter, including gases
result from heating, liquids result from cooling a gas, and solids
result from further cooling a liquid.
Supported
Access Point Number
Access Point Title
SC.912.P.10.Su.4:
SC.912.P.10.Su.5:
SC.912.P.10.Su.6:
SC.912.P.10.Su.7:
SC.912.P.10.Su.8:
SC.912.P.10.Su.9:
SC.912.P.10.Su.10:
SC.912.P.10.Su.1:
SC.912.P.10.Su.2:
SC.912.P.10.Su.3:
Recognize common processes that give off heat (exothermic), such
as burning, and processes that absorb heat (endothermic), such as
water coming to a boil.
Recognize that nuclear power plants generate electricity and can be
dangerous.
Recognize fundamental forces, such as gravitational.
Recognize common objects that conduct electricity (conductors)
and objects that do not conduct electricity (insulators).
Recognize that some electrical devices use different types of power
sources.
Observe and identify the effects of magnetic attraction on iron.
Recognize examples of electromagnetic waves moving through
different media, such as microwave ovens, radios, and x-rays.
Recognize energy transformations that occur in everyday life, such
as solar energy to electricity.
Recognize the relationship between work and power, such as power
is how fast a person or machine does work.
Observe and recognize ways that heat travels, such as through
space (radiation), through solids (conduction), and through liquids
and gases (convection).
Participatory
Access Point Number
SC.912.P.10.Pa.4:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.5:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.6:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.7:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.8:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.9:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.10:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.1:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.2:
SC.912.P.10.Pa.3:
Related Resources
Text Resource
Access Point Title
Identify materials that provide protection (insulation) from heat.
Recognize the universal symbols for radioactive and other
hazardous materials.
Recognize that an object falls unless stopped (gravity).
Recognize safe and unsafe practices related to the use of electricity,
such as keeping foreign objects out of electrical sockets and not
using electrical devices around water.
Demonstrate opening and closing an electrical circuit to turn an
electrical device on and off.
Recognize how magnets are used in real-world situations.
Recognize primary and secondary colors in visible light.
Observe and recognize examples of the transformation of electrical
energy to light and heat.
Recognize that work requires energy.
Recognize the source and recipient of heat transfer.
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Lesson Plan
Name
Description
Students will look for a correlation between pH and conductivity. They will also
compare ionic, molecular, and solids for conductivity. The procedure provided
A Bright Idea:
above is a guided, step-by-step presentation. Remove steps to achieve the level of
inquiry desired for your class.
The Alternative Fuel Systems MEA provides students with an engineering problem
Alternative
in which they must develop a procedure to decide the appropriate course for an
Fuel Systems: automobile manufacturer to take given a set of constraints. The main focus of the
MEA is to apply the concepts of work and energy to a business model.
Students will research various types of amusement park rides and use their findings
Amusement
to design a feasible ride of their own. They will summarize their findings and
Park Physics: present their ride design to the class. Each student will then write a persuasive letter
to a local amusement park describing the reasons their ride design is the best.
BIOSCOPES This lesson is designed to be part of a sequence of lessons. It follows resource 52648
Summer
"BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013 - Forces" and precedes resource 52957
Institute 2013 - "BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013 - Thermal Energy." This lesson uses a
Mechanical
predict, observe, and explain approach along with inquiry based activities to
Energy:
enhance student understanding of the conservation of energy.
This lesson is designed to be part of a sequence of lessons. It follows CPALMS
BIOSCOPES Resource #52705 "BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013Â - States of Matter" and
Summer
precedes CPALMS Resource #52961 "BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013Â Institute 2013 - Atomic Models." The lesson employs a predict, observe, explain approach along
Solutions:
with inquiry-based activities to enhance student understanding of properties aqueous
solutions in terms of the kinetic molecular theory and intermolecular forces.
This lesson is designed to be part of a sequence of lessons. It follows CPALMS
BIOSCOPES
Resource #52957 "BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013 - Thermal Energy" and
Summer
precedes CPALMS Resource #52961 "BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013 Institute 2013 Solutions." The lesson employs a predict, observe, explain approach along with
States of
inquiry-based activities to enhance student understanding of states of matter and
Matter:
phase changes in terms of the kinetic molecular theory.
BIOSCOPES This lesson is designed to be part of a sequence of lessons. It follows
Summer
resource 52910 "BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013 - Mechanical Energy" and
Institute 2013 - precedes resource 52705"BIOSCOPES Summer Institute 2013 - States of Matter."
Thermal
This lesson uses a predict, observe, and explain approach along with inquiry based
Energy:
activities to enhance student understanding of thermal energy and specific heat.
Bouncy
Students use a "superball" to investigate energy transformations between
Energy:
gravitational potential, elastic potential and kinetic energies.
In this lesson the teacher will use scaffolding (I do, We do, You do) technique so
students will be able to calculate work and power using the work and power
equations.
Calculating
Work and
Power:
(Intro)
The students will create work and power concept maps. (The following link by the
Penn State University Libraries website will provide examples of concept maps and
will also help you create a concept map if you are not sure how to create one:
https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/students/research_resources/conceptmap.html)
(I Do)
The teacher will then model work and power example problems.
(We do)
The students will complete 5 word problems and review answers on board.
(You do together)
The students will complete Power Climb in No Time Activity in groups and answer
questions/orally discuss with teacher.
(Formative Evaluation)
The student will create new work and power concept maps and share with the class.
CAN YOU
HEAR ME
NOW? :
Choose your
path, series
and parallel
circuits.:
Climb Your
Way To The
Top:
(You Do Independently)
The students will complete a 10 question summative evaluation based on concepts
learned in lab and work and power equations.
This resource will provide student with the basic knowledge of sound waves, their
behaviors, and what factors affect the properties of sound.
The students will use technology (a simulation and a decibels app) to discover and
explore how wave properties can be measured and factors affecting those properties.
In this simple lab lesson, students will work in cooperative groups to construct
simple series and parallel circuits. They will compare energy flow in circuits by
observing lamp brightness as they change components in the various circuits.
Note: This lesson does not cover the "power" element of the standard chosen.
In this activity, you will find out if a person does more work walking up a flight of
stairs or running up the same flight of stairs by having you or someone else actually
do this. You will also learn what scientists mean by the words work and power.
Students will take measurements, collect data and calculate work and power to
determine the similarities and differences between the two concepts, as well as the
factors that contribute to work and power.
Students work in small groups in a POE format to predict a materials conductivity,
observe the conductivity, and explain their predictions accuracy.
Students are given a container of small objects and asked to predict and record
whether the items are conductors or insulators. Through the use of an Ohm meter
students will check each item to ascertain its conductivity. Students will evaluate
their predictions and explain inconsistencies. Students will demonstrate mastery of
concept by identifying objects in the room as conductors or insulators.
This is a basic introduction to the difference between conductors and insulators
Conductors vs. when either is placed into a series circuit with a battery and a light bulb. This
Insulators: An introductory activity is primarily used as a vehicle for students to better understand
Inquiry Lab: how to write a lab report with the appropriate sections and to integrate technology
through Google Docs and a virtual lab simulation.
Efficient
The topic of this MEA is work and power. Students will be assigned the task of
Storage:
hiring workers to complete a given task. In order to make a decision as to which
Conductivity:
Finding your
Focus:
Hooke's Law
and Simple
Harmonic
Motion:
workers to hire, the students initially must calculate the required work. The power
each worker can exert, the days each worker is available to work each week, the
number of sick days each worker has taken over the past 12 months, and the salary
each worker commands will then be provided. Full- and/or part-time positions are
available. Through data analysis, the students will need to evaluate which factors are
most significant in the hiring process. For instance, some groups may select the
most efficient workers; other groups may select the group of workers that will cost
the company the least amount of money; still other groups may choose the workers
that can complete the job in the shortest amount of time. Each group will also be
required to provide the rationale that justifies the selection of which workers to hire.
Students practice drawing ray diagrams and then experimentally determine the focal
lengths of a concave mirror and a convex lens.
Students will graphically determine the spring constant k using their knowledge of
Newton's Laws of Motion and Hooke's Law and by determining the period of a
weight on a spring undergoing simple harmonic motion.
In this lesson students observe the relationship between work and power. Students
demonstrate how to calculate work and power, and determine the factors that can
I got the
affect both. The activities are done with common materials or simple classroom
Power!:
materials. Students use the resources to measure the rate at which work is done.
Students compare and contrast their observations and engage in class discussions.
Keep a Lid on An introduction to the Law of Conservation of Energy within the confines of open,
It!:
closed, and isolated systems.
This activity teaches students how to determine the age of an atom using an onion,
cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Aliens from another planet left these items on our
Life of the
planet and need our assistance determining their age. Based on the number of layers
Party:
or half lives of the "elements," the students will be able to determine their age. The
students will also be able to differentiate between the three types of radioactive
decay and understand why radioactive elements are harmful.
Students investigate magnetism and which materials are attracted by magnets.
Students describe the behavior of atoms in a magnet and explain why specific
Magnetism:
materials are or are not attracted to a magnet. The discussion questions explore
several domains of science and relate them to magnetism.
Make Your
In this lab, students will use the law of conservation of energy to design and test
Own Thermos: insulators made with various materials.
Modeling the Students will engage in a directed inquiry lab to model the kinetic theory of matter.
Kinetic
In the end, students should have a firm grasp of how matter's behavior is changed
Theory:
when its structure is changed during phase transitions.
Potential and
Students use an in-class investigation to explore the gravitational potential energy
Kinetic Energy
and kinetic energy of systems. They will also apply formulas in a real-world context
with Ramps
involving bicycles.
and Bicycles:
In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text designed to support
reading in the content area. An ancient coloring pigment is leading to new research
Purple Haze:
in magnetic fields and superconductivity. Will this lead to new technologies
involving quantum computers? The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide,
text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric.
Options to extend the lesson are also included.
Radioactive
Students will collect data using inexpensive split peas and black beans in order to
Decay: Is It
model how to calculate the amount of a radioactive element remaining after a
Safe for Us to specific number of half-lives have passed. Students will then use this data to outline
Stay?:
and create a response to a scenario-based writing prompt.
Rainbow Lab:
This activity will explore the connection between wavelength and frequency of
Investigating
colors in the visible light using web sites, hand-spectroscopes, spectral tubes and
the Visible
CSI type investigations.
Spectrum:
Using inquiry techniques, students, working in groups, are asked to design and
conduct experiments to test the Law of Conservation of Energy and the Law of
Conservation of Momentum. Upon being provided with textbooks, rulers,
measuring tapes, stopwatches, mini-storage containers, golf balls, marbles, rubber
Ramp It Up: balls, steel balls, and pennies, they work cooperatively to implement and revise their
hypotheses. With limited guidance from the teacher, students are able to visualize
the relationships between mass, velocity, height, gravitational potential energy,
kinetic energy, and total energy as well as the relationships between mass, velocity,
and momentum.
Students compete with one another to design and build a roller coaster from
insulation tubing and tape that will allow a marble to travel from start to finish with
Riding the
the lowest average velocity. In so doing, students learn about differences between
Roller Coaster
distance and displacement, speed and velocity, and potential and kinetic energy.
of Success:
They also examine the Law of Conservation of Energy and concepts related to force
and motion.
Students will model molecular motion with everyday materials (shaker bottles) then
Shake it up:
associate their model/actions to the phase transitions of water while graphing its heat
curve from data collected during a structured inquiry lab.
In this Engineering Design Challenge, student teams will design, calculate, build
and then test a tower structure that can successfully hold a slide made from a pool
Slide, Slide
tube. The slide will be placed at three different heights to determine which height is
Away :
safe yet still fun. Students will be given supply restraints and guidelines as they
work in teams to solve the problem. Â
Shape Memory Alloys are metals that can return to or 'remember' their original
SMALL:
shape. They are a cutting edge application for Chemistry, Physics, and Integrated
Shape
Science. The activities in this lesson work well for the study of forces, Newton's
Memory Alloy Laws, and electricity in physics. They also lend themselves well to crystalline
Lab:
structures, heat of reaction, and bonding in chemistry. In addition, students could
study applications for the materials in the medical and space industries.
This lab exploration provides students with an opportunity to examine the
relationship between the amount a linear spring is stretched and the restoring force
Springing into that acts to return the spring to its rest length. This concept is central to an
Hooke's Law: understanding of elastic potential energy in mechanical systems and has
implications in the study of a large array of mechanical and electromagnetic simple
harmonic oscillators.
In this guided-inquiry lesson for advanced students in high school physics or
Strength of an integrated science classes, students will have an opportunity to conduct an
Electromagnet: experiment to test how the strength of an electromagnet can be affected by different
variables. Students will derive equations from their data.
This one-two day lab will allow students to collect data on temperature, volume, and
Temperature,
rate for a reaction in a closed system. Heat speeds up the reaction, altering both
Volume, and
volume and rate due to an increase in energy. Students will be able to graph their
Rate of
own lab group's data and compile class data if Google docs is available. They can
Reaction:
then look at correlations between temperature, volume, and rate of reaction.
Students will complete a laboratory activity that aids in understanding the concept of
The Entropy of entropy. Students will witness an oscillating reaction and notice that they needed to
It All:
increase the energy of the reaction by shaking the flask, which in turn increases the
entropy and allows reactions to occur.
The lesson integrates language arts and physical science standards through the use
The Perfect
of a Model Eliciting Activity. Students collaborate to create a procedure to solve a
Steak Oven:
particular problem (the best steak oven).
Using
Acid/Base
Neutralization In this lesson, students will experimentally determine whether an acid/base
to Study
neutralization reaction is endothermic or exothermic. They will also use their results
Endothermic to identify the limiting reactant at various times in the process and calculate the
vs Exothermic concentration of one of the reactants.
Reactions and
Stoichiometry:
This is a ray drawing activity to aid students in their understanding of how virtual
Virtually
images are formed by plane mirrors, and how the image size and distance from the
Possible:
mirror compare to those of the object.
Students will construct their own wave machine similar to the one described in the
Wave
video from the National Stem Centre:
Machine:
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/2096/wave-machine.
This lesson is on the difference between types of waves. This lesson is linked to
SC.912.P.10.20. The lesson will focus on recognizing that the source of all waves is
Whiz through
a vibration and waves carry energy from one place to another and the distinction
the wave:
between transverse and longitudinal waves in mechanical media, such as springs and
ropes.
Wine Glass
Lab:
This activity is designed to help students understand the concept of resonance
Resonance and through the application of the wave equation to sounds produced by a singing wine
the Wave
glass.
Equation:
Virtual Manipulative
Name
Alpha decay:
Description
This virtual manipulative will help
you to understand the process of
alpha decay. Watch alpha particles
escape from a polonium nucleus,
causing radioactive alpha decay. See
how random decay times relate to the
half life.
Atomic Orbital Energies:
Balloons and Static Electricity:
Battery Voltage:
This simulation explores the trends
observed in orbital energies for the
main group elements. The energies
of the highest energy atomic orbitals
in a series of atoms increase with
increasing principal quantum
number. The energies of orbital
subshells also change when moving
across the periodic table from
element to element.
The students will rub a balloon on a
sweater and see how charges are
exchanged between the two objects.
With these changes they will see
their interactions.
This simulation will allow you to
look inside a battery to see how it
works. You will be able to select the
battery voltage and see the
movement of the charges from one
end of the battery to the other. A
voltmeter will tell the resulting
battery voltage.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:



Battery-Resistor Circuit:
Do the small blue spheres
represent positive or negative
charges?
Which side of the battery is
labeled positive, and which
side is negative?
How can you determine
which side of the battery is
positive and negative just by
the location of the blue
charges?
This simulation demonstrates how a
resistor works and the relationship
between voltage, current and
Beta Decay:
Black body Spectrum:
resistance. A change in temperature
is also recorded with varying the
parameters.
The students will be shown the flow
of electrons to make a fan spin. The
more resistance that they put the
slower the elctrons will move and
vice versa. The students will also see
the power generated by the battery.
This is a virtual manipulative to
understand beta decay. In the Beta
decay process, a neutron decays into
a proton and an electron (beta
radiation). The process also requires
the emission of a neutrino to
maintain momentum and energy
balance. Beta decay allows the atom
to obtain the optimal ratio of protons
and neutrons.
In this simulation, learn about the
black body spectrum of the sun, a
light bulb, an oven and the earth.
Adjust the temperature to see how
the wavelength and intensity of the
spectrum are affected.
Explore how a capacitor works in
this simulation. Change the plates
and add a dielectric to see how it
affects capacitance. Change the
voltage and see charges built up on
the plates. You can observe the
electric field in the capacitor,
measure voltage and the electric
field.
Other investigations can include:
Capacitor Lab:



Determine the relationship
between charge and voltage
for a capacitor.
Determine the energy stored
in a capacitor or a set of
capacitors in a circuit.
Explore the effect of space
and dielectric materials
inserted between the
conductors of the capacitor in
a circuit.

Charges and Fields:
Determine the equivalent
capacitance of a set of
capacitors in series and in
parallel in a circuit.
This virtual manipulative will allow
the students to understand that the
electric field is the region where the
force on one charge is caused by the
presence of another charge. The
students will recognize the
equipotential lines that exist between
the charged regions.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:



Determine the variables that
affect how charged bodies
interact.
Predict how charged bodies
will interact.
Describe the strength and
direction of the electric field
around a charged body.
An electronic kit in your computer!
Build circuits with resistors, light
bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take
measurements with the realistic
ammeter and voltmeter. View the
circuit as a schematic diagram, or
switch to a life-like view.
Other options for exploration:
Circuit Construction kit:




Discuss basic electricity
relationships
Build circuits from schematic
drawings.
Use an ammeter and
voltmeter to take readings in
circuits.
Provide reasoning to explain
the measurements and
relationship in circuits.



Circuit Construction Kit:
Coulomb's Law:
Electromagnetic Radiation:
Discuss basic electricity
relationships in series and
parallel circuits.
Provide reasoning to explain
the measurements in circuits.
Determine the resistance of
common objects in the "Grab
Bag".
The students will have the
opportunity to build their own circuit
loop with the materials presented to
them.
This virtual manipulative will help
the learners understand Coulomb's
law which is the fundamental
principle of electrostatics. It is the
force of attraction or repulsion
between two charged particles which
is directly proportional to the product
of the charges and inversely
proportional to the distance between
them.
 Explain the nature of light in
terms of electromagnetic
waves
 Observe the electromagnetic
waves in three dimensions
 Explain light in terms of its
electric and magnetic field
components
Light a bulb by waving a magnet.
This demonstration of Faraday's law
will help you to:

Faraday's Law:

Explain what happens when
the magnet moves through
the coil at different speeds
and how this affects the
brightness of the bulb and the
magnitude and sign of the
voltage.
Explain the difference
between moving the magnet

through the coil from the
right side versus the left side.
Explain the difference
between moving magnet
through the big coil versus
the smaller coil.
This virtual manipulative will help
the students generate electricity with
a bar magnet. Students can discover
the physics behind the phenomena by
exploring magnets and how they can
be used to make a bulb light. They
will recognize that any change in the
magnetic environment of a coil of
wire will cause a voltage to be
induced in the coil.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:
Generator:





Geometric Optics:
Identify equipment and
conditions that produce
induction.
Compare and contrast how
both a light bulb and
voltmeter can be used to
show characteristics of the
induced current.
Predict how the current will
change when the conditions
are varied.
Explain practical applications
of Faraday's Law.
Explain what is the cause of
the induction.
This virtual manipulative will allow
the students to understand how does
a lens form an image. Students can
see how light rays are refracted by a
lens. Students can recognize that the
image changes when they adjust the
focal length of the lens, move the
object, move the lens, or move the
screen.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:


Integrated Circuit:
Interaction Between a Charged Balloon and a Wall:
Laser Challenge:
Lorentz Force:
Explain how an image is
formed by a converging lens
using ray diagrams.
How changing the lens
(radius, index, and diameter)
effects where the image
appears and ho it looks it
terms of magnification,
brightness and inversion.
This interactive game will help you
learn about integrated circuits, which
can be found in almost every modern
electrical device such as computers,
cars, television sets, CD players, cell
phones, etc... The challenge in this
game is to make it to the end.
This virtual manipulative
demonstrates the electrostatic
interaction between a charged
balloon and a wall. Students may
play with the slider of "Charges on
the balloon" to change the type and
amount of the charges on the
balloon. The simulation also has the
option of seeing a microscopic model
which helps in understanding the
phenomenon. After adjusting the
charge press PLAY to observe the
interaction.
Laser challenge is an interesting
game which is based on the invention
of the laser. The player is on the
mission of collecting points, CDs,
and snacks. At the end of each level,
the player will have to perform a
laser task, such as recognizing
appliances that contain lasers and
repairing faulty eyesight.
This visual interactive simulation
will help the student watch how a
charged particle moves in a magnetic
field. This force is defined as the
Lorentz force which is the force on a
point charge due to electromagnetic
fields. There is a relationship
between the movement of the
particle through the magnetic field,
the strength of that magnetic field
and the force on the particle. The
following equation described the
force: F=qvB
Where:




Magnets and Electromagnets:
F is the force in Newtons
q is the electric charge in
coulombs
v is the velocity of the charge
in meters/sound
B is the strength of the
magnetic field.
This virtual manipulative will allow
the students to explore the
interactions between a compass and
bar magnet. Students can discover
that magnetic fields are produced
when all the electrons in a metal
object are spinning in the same
direction, either as a natural
phenomenon, in an artificially
created magnet, or when they are
induced to do so by an
electromagnetic field.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:



Predict the direction of the
magnet field for different
locations around a bar magnet
and electromagnet.
Compare and contrast bar
magnets and electromagnets.
Identify the characteristics of
electromagnets that are
variable and what effects
each variable has on the
magnetic field's strength and
direction.

Relate magnetic field strength
to distance quantitatively and
qualitatively.
This activity will help to investigate
how a greenhouse gas affects the
climate, or why the ozone layer is
important. Using this simulation,
explore how light interacts with
molecules in our atmosphere.
Areas to explore:


Molecules and Light:




How light interacts with
molecules in our atmosphere.
Identify that absorption of
light depends on the molecule
and the type of light.
Relate the energy of the light
to the resulting motion.
Identify that energy increases
from microwave to
ultraviolet.
Predict the motion of a
molecule based on the type of
light it absorbs.
Identify how the structure of
a molecule affects how it
interacts with light.
This virtual manipulative will allow
you to produce light by bombarding
atoms with electrons. You can also
visualize how the characteristic
spectra of different elements are
produced, and configure your own
element's energy states to produce
light of different colors.
Neon Lights and Other Discharge Lamps:
Other areas to investigate:


Provide a basic design for a
discharge lamp and explain
the function of the different
components.
Explain the basic structure of
an atom and relate it to the


Normal Modes:
Nuclear Fission:
Ohm's Law:
Pendulum Lab:
color of light produced by
discharge lamps.
Explain why discharge lamps
emit only certain colors.
Design a discharge lamp to
emit any desired spectrum of
colors.
Play with a 1D or 2D system of
coupled mass-spring oscillators.
Vary the number of masses, set the
initial conditions, and watch the
system evolve. See the spectrum of
normal modes for arbitrary motion.
Compare longitudinal and transverse
modes.
Complete this virtual manipulative to
gain a better understanding of
nuclear fission. Study the basic
principles behind chain reactions and
a nuclear reactor.
This virtual manipulative will allow
the user to see how the equation form
of ohm's law relates to a simple
circuit. Learners can adjust the
voltage and resistance, and see the
current change according to Ohm's
law. The size of the symbols in the
equation change to match the circuit
diagram.
Play with one or two pendulums and
discover how the period of a simple
pendulum depends on the length of
the string, the mass of the pendulum
bob, and the amplitude of the swing.
It's easy to measure the period using
the photogate timer. Students can
vary friction and the strength of
gravity.


Design experiments to
describe how variables affect
the motion of a pendulum
Use a photogate timer to
determine quantitatively how



the period of a pendulum
depends on the variables you
described
Determine the gravitational
acceleration of planet X
Explain the conservation of
Mechanical energy concept
using kinetic energy and
gravitational potential energy
Describe energy chart from
position or selected speeds
This virtual manipulative will help
the students to understand how the
light shines on a metal surface.
Students will recognize a process
called as photoelectric effect wherein
light can be used to push electrons
from the surface of a solid.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:


Photoelectric Effect:


PhysClips:
Potential/Kinetic Energy Simulation:
Visualize and describe the
photoelectric effect
experiment.
Predict the results of the
experiment, when the
intensity of light is changed
and its effects on the current
and energy of the electrons.
Predict the results of the
experiment, when the
wavelength of the light is
changed and its effects on the
current and the energy of the
electrons.
Predict the results of the
experiment, when the voltage
of the light is changed and its
effects on the current and
energy of electrons.
Vast collection of multimedia
resources in mechanics, waves and
relativity.
Learn about conservation of energy
with a skater! Build tracks, ramps
and jumps for the skater and view the
kinetic energy, potential energy,
thermal energy as he moves. You can
adjust the amount of friction and
mass. Measurement and graphing
tools are built in.
Resistance in a Wire:
This manipulative will help the
students to learn about the physics of
resistance in a wire. The electrical
resistance of a wire would be
expected to be greater for a longer
wire, less for a wire of larger cross
sectional area, and would be
expected to depend upon the material
out of which the wire is made, to
understand this, students can change
the resistivity, length, and area to see
how they affect the wire's resistance.
The sizes of the symbols in the
equation change along with the
diagram of a wire.
Some of the sample learning goals
can be:



What characteristics of a
resistor are variable in this
model?
How does each affect the
resistance (will increasing or
decreasing each make the
resistance correspondingly
increase or decrease?)
Explain your ideas about why
they change the resistance.
This virtual manipulative will allow
the user to see how a magnetic field
will effect the motion of a charged
Reversing Velocity of a charged particle with magnetic field:
particle. The charge of the particle
and the size of the magnetic field can
be changed.
Demonstrate two or three
dimensional wave patterns. Great for
Ripple Tank Applet:
showing interference, diffraction and
refraction.
Whether it is a tumor or not,
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.
In this simulation you can:

Simplified MRI:


Sound:
States of Matter:
The Transistor:
Recognize that light can flip
spins if the energy of the
photons matches the
difference between the
energies of spin up and spin
down.
Recognize that the difference
between the energies of spin
up and spin down is
proportional to the strength of
the applied magnetic field.
Describe how to put these
two ideas together to detect
where there is a higher
density of spins.
The students will see and hear the
effects of changing the frequency
and/or amplitude of a sound wave.
This animation may also be used to
demonstrate the Doppler effect,
reflection and interference of sound
waves.
Watch different types of molecules
form a solid, liquid, or gas. Add or
remove heat and watch the phase
change. Change the temperature or
volume of a container and see a
pressure-temperature diagram
respond in real time.
This game will help you test your
understanding about the transistor,
which is a semiconductor device
used to amplify and switch electronic
signals and electrical power. In this
game your job in a transistor
recycling center is to remove all the
items that do not contain transistors
from the conveyor belt. You can read
all about the transistor, how it was
developed and how it is used.
Learn how to build a circuit
Learn how to measure voltage in a
circuit using a voltmeter
Virtual Construction Kit (DC only):
Determine the resistance of certain
objects that can be used as part of an
electric circuit
Explain the difference between
parallel and series circuits
Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
Name
Art and Prototyping with Laser-cut Materials:
Blacksmithing and Heat Transfer:
Bring Frequencies to Life with Balinese Music:
Color in Glass Art Fabrication:
Current, Voltage, Resistance, and Superconductivity:
Fighter Jets and Sonic Boom:
Description
Blaze a trail when you
utilize laser technology to
make art.
Forge a new understanding
of metallurgy and heat
transfer by learning how
this blacksmith and collier
make nails.
It's okay if you're not on
quite the same wavelength
as this ethnomusicologist.
In Balinese gamelan tuning,
that's a good thing!
Glass artist
Russel Scaturro explains
some of the
chemistry, purpose, and
methodology behind his use
of color in glass art
fabrication.
Physics is cool, especially if
you want to make supercold, super-efficient,
superconductive materials.
Major Tucker Hamilton, a
test pilot for the United
Fighter Jets and the Doppler Effect:
Forces and Power in Flint Knapping:
Frequencies and Communities in the Music of Bali:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Energy and Nutrition:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Energy Storage:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Solar Power and Navigation:
States Air Force, explains
the phenomenon known as a
sonic boom.
Major Tucker Hamilton, a
test pilot for the United
States Air Force, explains
various aspects of the
Doppler effect as it applies
to moving objects such as
fighter jets.
Sharpen your knowledge by
understanding the forces
used to make stone tools.
Physical science and social
science connect in this
discussion of Balinese
gamelan. Full STEAM
ahead!
Calorie-dense foods can
power the human body
across the ocean? Feel the
burn.
Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: GPS Data
Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: Path Visualization
for Google Earth[.KML]
This video about energy
storage has a lot of potential
to help you learn about
solar power and batteries.
Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: GPS Data
Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: Path Visualization
for Google Earth[.KML]
See the light when this math
teacher explains how he
figured out energy system
needs for a cross-Pacific
kayak trip.
Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: GPS Data
Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: Path Visualization
for Google Earth[.KML]
When your classroom is the
open ocean, which is the
longest period? The one
from the tsunami.
Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: GPS Data
Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak
Journey: Path Visualization
for Google Earth[.KML]
Dive deep into science as an
oceanographer describes
conduction, convection, and
Oceans and Energy Transfer:
radiation and their
relationship to oceanic
systems.
Hydrogen is used to launch
spacecraft, but accidental
fires are difficult to see.
Optical Spectroscopy: Using Electromagnetic Waves to Detect Fires:
Learn about the physics of
these fires and how we
detect them.
If physics has you down,
Physics of Bass Guitar:
don't fret - this musician
covers all the bases.
Archaeologists can see
underground trends before
Plan Your Archaeological Excavations with Radar Waves! :
everyone else with ground
penetrating radar (GPR).
Second Lieutenant Caleb
McComas, a crew
commander with the 20th
Practical Applications of Radar for Global Space Monitoring:
Space Control Squadron at
Eglin Air Force Base,
explains how radar
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Waves:
technology is vital to
missions and objectives of
the United States Air
Force.
Glass artist
Russel Scaturro explains
protective measures taken
Protection from Radiation during Glass Art Fabrication:
to prevent damage from UV
and IR radiation during
glass art fabrication.
If you want to understand
the atom, you'll need a lot
of energy. Learn how
Seeing into Atoms with Electromagnetic Energy:
physicists use high energy
light and electrons to study
atomic structure.
Learn how the shape of a
Shape Affects Sound:
didgeridoo affects its sound
in this totally tubular video.
Dr. George Cohen discusses
a variety of skin treatments
Skin Radiation Technologies for Medical Therapy:
that utilize electromagnetic
radiation, including lasers,
UV light, and x-rays.
Audio engineer Kris
Kolp explains his studio
Sound Sculpting and Room Design for Professional Audio Recording: design choices that affect
the way sound waves move
through the room.
Don't feel blue because you
don't understand how light
is used in bird photography!
Watch this instead.
Understanding Light and Color for Bird Photography:
Using X-rays in Archeology:
Wave Frequency and Audio Engineering:
Produced with funding from
the Florida Division of
Cultural Affairs.
An archaeologist explains
how he is using x-rays to
reconstruct a nineteenthcentury battle!
Want to watch a video on
audio engineering and
frequency? Sounds good to
me.
Teaching Idea
Name
Description
Students explore how convection currents
Atmospheric Processes - Convection:
occurs in the atmosphere through the transfer
of heat energy.
After a brief discussion of heat transfer
processes in general, this activity will focus
on radiation. Students will investigate how
Atmospheric Processes - Radiation :
different surfaces absorb heat and apply their
experience with the surfaces to interpret realworld situations.
Differences in intermolecular forces are
introduced using of rates of evaporation and
Evaporation is Cool:
measuring the resulting cooling effects of
different liquids.
A video and supporting activities about the
Periodic Table. The context is man's quest to
Island of Stability:
create elements. The focus is atomic structure
and atomic theory.
This resource includes various programs,
resources, and activities on electricity and
Magnet Lab:
magnetism developed by the FSU Mag Lab
for teachers to better serve their students.
The heat of fusion of water is the energy
required to melt one gram of ice. In this lab,
your students will use experimental evidence
to approximate the heat of fusion of water.
They'll also compare the energy needed to
Melt Away - Exploring the Heat of Fusion of Water: cause a change of state to the energy needed
to change temperature with no change of
state. This lab can be used at the middle or
high school level, depending on your learning
objectives and how you introduce and debrief
the activity.
Students will determine the specific heat of a
Metal Mania:
metal using the law of conservation of
energy.
This resource centers around the pathways,
reactants, and products of photosynthesis, as
well as how the natural process can be
manipulated to produce energy for human
Solar fuels and artificial photosythesis:
use. The webpage contains a variety of
infographs explaining photosynthesis,
artificial photosynthesis, splitting of water
molecules into the component atoms, and the
production and use of solar fuels. The
resource also includes two text articles related
to the topic.
This resource lets students look at double
refraction, also known as birefringence.
Birefringence is a process in which light
moving in different directions, or
polarizations, travels at different speeds
within a material. Students will build a
"sculpture" of wire and cellophane tape
placed in different directions and will observe
the effects of light and refraction.
Students conduct and observe a chemical
reaction in a sealable plastic bag. Students
then devise and conduct their own
experiments to determine the identity of two
unknown substances used in the reaction.
The Color of Ice:
Zip-lock Bag Reactions:
Tutorial
Name
Basic Electromagnetic Wave Properties:
Catalysis:
Characteristics of Waves:
Color Temperature in a Virtual Radiator:
Concave Spherical Mirrors:
Description
 Explore the relationship between wavelength,
frequency, amplitude and energy of an
electromagnetic wave
 Compare the characteristics of waves of
different wavelengths
This tutorial will provide students with information on
reactions, and how they are driven by energy changes.
This tutorial also addresses how enzymes act as
catalysts, increasing the rates at which reactions take
place.
This tutorial contains information about the
characteristics of longitudinal, transverse, and surface
waves. This tutorial will also provide information
about the amplitude, frequency, wavelength, speed,
refraction, reflection, diffraction, and constructive and
destructive interference of the waves.
 Observe the change of color of a black body
radiator upon changes in temperature
 Understand that at 0 Kelvin or Absolute Zero
there is no molecular motion

Learn how a concave spherical mirror
generates an image





Convex Spherical Mirrors:




Electromagnetic Wave Propagation:



Geometrical Construction of Ray Diagrams:


Human Eye Accommodation:


Refraction of Light:
Observe how the size and position of the
image changes with the object distance from
the mirror
Learn the difference between a real image and
a virtual image
Learn some applications of concave mirrors
Learn how a convex mirror forms the image of
an object
Understand why convex mirrors form small
virtual images
Observe the change in size and position of the
image with the change in object's distance
from the mirror
Learn some practical applications of convex
mirrors
Observe that light is composed of oscillating
electric and magnetic waves
Explore the propagation of an electromagnetic
wave through its electric and magnetic field
vectors
Observe the difference in propagation of light
of different wavelengths
Learn to trace the path of propagating light
waves using geometrical optics
Observe the effect of changing parameters
such as focal length, object dimensions and
position on image properties
Learn the equations used in determining the
size and locations of images formed by thin
lenses
Observe how the eye's muscles change the
shape of the lens in accordance with the
distance to the object being viewed
Indicate the parts of the eye that are
responsible for vision
View how images are formed in the eye
This resource explores the electromagnetic spectrum
and waves by allowing the learner to observe the
refraction of light as it passes from one medium to
another, study the relation between refraction of light
and the refractive index of the medium, select from a
list of materials with different refractive indicecs, and
Solar Cell Operation:
Sound:
Sparks Fly: Discovering Central Ideas:
Speed of Light in Transparent Materials:
change the light beam from white to monochromatic
and observe the difference.
This resource explains how a solar cell converts light
energy into electrical energy. The user will also learn
about the different components of the solar cell and
observe the relationship between photon intensity and
the amount of electrical energy produced.
This tutorial provides information about the sound
and how it travels. It also includes information on the
anatomy and physiology of the human ear for the
learners to understand how sound passes through the
ear.
Click "View Site" to open a full-screen version.
This tutorial is designed to help secondary science
teachers learn how to integrate literacy skills within
their science curriculum. The focus on literacy across
content areas is designed to help students
independently build knowledge in different
disciplines through reading and writing. This tutorial
will demonstrate a series of steps that teachers can use
with students to help them determine the central ideas
of a science text. It will also demonstrate how
students can trace a text’s explanation or depiction of
a complex process. Finally, it will explain what an
effective summary contains.
 Study the relation between the speed of light
and the refractive index of the medium it
passes through.
 Choose from a collection of materials with
known refractive indices and obtain the speed
of light as it passes through.
 Learn why light-years are used as an
astronomical measurement of distance.
Video/Audio/Animation
Name
Circuit Construction Kit (AC + DC):
Description
Learn how to build a
circuit
Show the difference
between AC and DC
Describe the effect of an
inductor on a circuit
Describe the effect of a
capacitor on a circuit
Learn how to use an
Conductivity:
ammeter and a voltmeter in
a circuit
 Identify the driving
force in a circuit
using a battery
model
 Explain the
difference between
conductive (metals
and
photoconductors)
and non-conductive
(plastics) materials



Electric Field of Dreams:



Fourier: Making Waves:

Explain the effect
of adding a charged
particle to an
electric field
Explain the
interactions that
take place between
two neighboring
charged particles
Explain the
relationship
between the sign
and magnitude of
the charge on a
charged particle
and an electric
field
Show the effect of
adding an external
electric field
Describe sound in
terms of sinusoidal
waves
Explain what the
symbols lambda, T,
k, omega, and n
represent on the
graph of a wave
Explain the
relationship
between the
Heisenberg
Uncertainty
Principle and the
properties of waves
How to make a simple wave machine:
LASERS:
This is a link to the
National STEM Centre
(UK) that shows a short
video describing how to
make a simple wave
machine for your class
with kebab sticks, duct
tape, and jelly babies!
Students love it and it can
be made as qualitative or
quantitative as you like.
 Explain the
processes of
absorption and
emission
 Describe how a
laser works
 Determine the
factors affecting
lasing
This video contains a demo
that can be performed to
show that light consists of
Light is a Particle:
particles
It also uses Lasers with
different wavelengths
The major purpose of this
lesson is to promote the
learning of eye function by
associating eye problems
and diseases to parts of the
eye that are affected.
Included in this module are
discussions and activities
MIT BLOSSOMS - What’s in an Eye? The Eye’s Components
that teach about eye
and the Diseases that Affect Them:
components and their
functions. The main
activity is dissecting a cow
eye, which in many high
schools is part of the
anatomy curriculum. This
lesson extends the
curriculum by discussing
Paramagnetism:
Photosynthesis:
eye diseases that students
might be familiar with. An
added fun part of the lesson
is discussion of what
various animals see. The
most difficult item to
obtain for this lesson is the
cow eye. Cow eyes from
companies cost between $2
– 4 per eye. Some
slaughterhouses/butchers
will give you cow eyes for
free, or charge a minimal
fee. If you use cow eyes
from these sources, you
should store the eyes in a
refrigerated area. Other
supplies include: scalpel or
razor blade, scissors
(optional), dissecting pan
or cutting board and wax
paper, trash bags. This
lesson will not fit into a 50minute period if students
are dissecting. If there is no
dissection, 50 minutes
should be enough time.
Observe what happens
when liquid nitrogen and
liquid oxygen are exposed
to a high magnetic field
Learn the difference
between diamagnetic and
paramagnetic molecules
 Observe the
photosynthesis
mechanism in the
plant
 Learn about the
main chemical
reactions that takes
place during
photosynthesis
 Learn how solar
energy is converted
into chemical
energy
Science Crossword Puzzles:
Solar Energy: Lightbulbs in the Desert:
Solar Wind's Effect on Earth:
Superconductors:
The Shrinking Quarter Machine:
Wind Turbine Energy:
A collection of crossword
puzzles that test the
knowledge of students
about some of the terms,
processes, and
classifications covered in
science topics
This video shows how
harnessing solar energy can
transform remote, energypoor regions into energyindependent regions.
The Sun produces a solar
wind — a continuous flow
of charged particles — that
can affect us on Earth. It
can, for example, disrupt
communications,
navigation systems, and
satellites. Solar activity can
also cause power outages,
such as the extensive
Canadian blackout in 1989.
In this video segment
adapted from NASA, learn
about solar storms and
their effects on Earth.
Observe what happens
when a magnet is placed on
a superconductor
Magnetic and electric
forces are used for
shrinking a quarter to the
size of a dime in a very
short amount of time
This video highlights how
wind turbines are used to
generate electricity for
consumer use.
Resource Collection
Name
Description
This topic is broken into units to help in
Conceptual Physics Conservation of Energy Units: formulating cohesive, effective lessons.
Clicking on each unit title will display
Exploring Magnetism Lesson Series:
appropriate activities, lesson plans, or labs.
Units are intended to help students understand
the interconnectedness of the concepts of
conservation of energy, momentum and angular
momentum underpinning the basis for much of
physics. Units are not listed in a prescribed
order.
"These seven NASA-funded magnetism guides
contain activity- or math-based lessons on
magnetic fields. The science and mathematics
education standards these activities cover are in
the beginning of the guides... These guides
were developed as part of the Education and
Public Outreach programs of the following
NASA science missions: STEREO-IMPACT,
RHESSI, THEMIS, and FAST."
These are modules, including student
worksheets, about magnetism in general and
especially about the Earth's magnetic field.
Perspectives Video: Expert
Name
Conservation and Conversion of Energy in a Military Weapons Testing
Environment:
Convection Currents:
Description
Dr.
Betta Jerome, a
senior
mechanical
engineer with
the United
States Air
Force, explains
energy
conversion and
conservation
within the
context of
military
weapons
testing.
Did you know
the ocean ships
heat energy all
over the world?
It's a major
mover but next
Electromagnetic Robot Muscles:
Electromagnetism:
Light Spectrum for Growing Plants:
Tracking Floats with Sound:
day service is
not guaranteed.
Dr. Oates uses
engineering
practices to
design artificial
muscles that
react to
electrostatic
fields.
The director of
the National
High Magnetic
Field
Laboratory
describes
electromagnetic
waves.
Plants need
visible light,
just not all of it.
Learn how
space plants
and their lights
strive for
efficiency.
Dolphins and
whales aren't
the only ones
making noise
underwater.
Lots of
oceanographers
do, too.
Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea
Name
Description
A physics teacher presents some quick teaching
Heat Transfer Demonstrations:
ideas for demonstrating energy transfer through
convection, conduction, and radiation.
Check out this idea for an illuminating
Light Frequency and Energy:
demonstration of light energy.
Pendulum:
Pendulum, Physics
This colorful light and energy lesson idea will make
Which has More Energy, Red or Blue Light?:
you glow!
Educational Game
Name
Shoot an Electron:
Description
This interesting game is to hit the target located opposite a electron
gun. The electron gun will fire an electron. This electron must not
hit any walls or obstacles during the attempt. The user may direct
the electron along a path by placing stationary positive and negative
charges at various locations. This game will help support learning
about the concept of the electric field, which is created when
electrons repel other electrons.
Student Resources
Title
Alpha decay:
Balloons and Static Electricity:
Basic Electromagnetic Wave Properties:
Beta Decay:
Description
This virtual manipulative
will help you to understand
the process of alpha decay.
Watch alpha particles escape
from a polonium nucleus,
causing radioactive alpha
decay. See how random
decay times relate to the half
life.
The students will rub a
balloon on a sweater and see
how charges are exchanged
between the two objects.
With these changes they will
see their interactions.
 Explore the
relationship between
wavelength,
frequency, amplitude
and energy of an
electromagnetic wave
 Compare the
characteristics of
waves of different
wavelengths
This is a virtual manipulative
to understand beta decay. In
the Beta decay process, a
neutron decays into a proton
and an electron (beta
Black body Spectrum:
Blacksmithing and Heat Transfer:
Bring Frequencies to Life with Balinese Music:
Capacitor Lab:
radiation). The process also
requires the emission of a
neutrino to maintain
momentum and energy
balance. Beta decay allows
the atom to obtain the
optimal ratio of protons and
neutrons.
In this simulation, learn
about the black body
spectrum of the sun, a light
bulb, an oven and the earth.
Adjust the temperature to see
how the wavelength and
intensity of the spectrum are
affected.
Forge a new understanding
of metallurgy and heat
transfer by learning how this
blacksmith and collier make
nails.
It's okay if you're not on
quite the same wavelength as
this ethnomusicologist. In
Balinese gamelan tuning,
that's a good thing!
Explore how a capacitor
works in this simulation.
Change the plates and add a
dielectric to see how it
affects capacitance. Change
the voltage and see charges
built up on the plates. You
can observe the electric field
in the capacitor, measure
voltage and the electric field.
Other investigations can
include:


Determine the
relationship between
charge and voltage
for a capacitor.
Determine the energy
stored in a capacitor


Catalysis:
Characteristics of Waves:
Charges and Fields:
or a set of capacitors
in a circuit.
Explore the effect of
space and dielectric
materials inserted
between the
conductors of the
capacitor in a circuit.
Determine the
equivalent
capacitance of a set
of capacitors in series
and in parallel in a
circuit.
This tutorial will provide
students with information on
reactions, and how they are
driven by energy changes.
This tutorial also addresses
how enzymes act as
catalysts, increasing the rates
at which reactions take place.
This tutorial contains
information about the
characteristics of
longitudinal, transverse, and
surface waves. This tutorial
will also provide information
about the amplitude,
frequency, wavelength,
speed, refraction, reflection,
diffraction, and constructive
and destructive interference
of the waves.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the students to
understand that the electric
field is the region where the
force on one charge is caused
by the presence of another
charge. The students will
recognize the equipotential
lines that exist between the
charged regions.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:



Determine the
variables that affect
how charged bodies
interact.
Predict how charged
bodies will interact.
Describe the strength
and direction of the
electric field around a
charged body.
An electronic kit in your
computer! Build circuits with
resistors, light bulbs,
batteries, and switches. Take
measurements with the
realistic ammeter and
voltmeter. View the circuit as
a schematic diagram, or
switch to a life-like view.
Other options for
exploration:


Circuit Construction kit:





Discuss basic
electricity
relationships
Build circuits from
schematic drawings.
Use an ammeter and
voltmeter to take
readings in circuits.
Provide reasoning to
explain the
measurements and
relationship in
circuits.
Discuss basic
electricity
relationships in series
and parallel circuits.
Provide reasoning to
explain the
measurements in
circuits.
Determine the
resistance of common
objects in the "Grab
Bag".
Circuit Construction Kit:
Circuit Construction Kit (AC + DC):
Color Temperature in a Virtual Radiator:
The students will have the
opportunity to build their
own circuit loop with the
materials presented to them.
Learn how to build a circuit
Show the difference between
AC and DC
Describe the effect of an
inductor on a circuit
Describe the effect of a
capacitor on a circuit
Learn how to use an ammeter
and a voltmeter in a circuit
 Observe the change
of color of a black
body radiator upon
changes in
temperature
 Understand that at 0
Kelvin or Absolute
Zero there is no
molecular motion


Concave Spherical Mirrors:



Conductivity:

Learn how a concave
spherical mirror
generates an image
Observe how the size
and position of the
image changes with
the object distance
from the mirror
Learn the difference
between a real image
and a virtual image
Learn some
applications of
concave mirrors
Identify the driving
force in a circuit
using a battery model
Explain the
difference between
conductive (metals
and photoconductors)
and non-conductive
(plastics) materials



Convex Spherical Mirrors:

Current, Voltage, Resistance, and Superconductivity:
Electromagnetic Robot Muscles:
Electromagnetic Wave Propagation:
Electromagnetism:
Learn how a convex
mirror forms the
image of an object
Understand why
convex mirrors form
small virtual images
Observe the change
in size and position of
the image with the
change in object's
distance from the
mirror
Learn some practical
applications of
convex mirrors
Physics is cool, especially if
you want to make super-cold,
super-efficient,
superconductive materials.
Dr. Oates uses engineering
practices to design artificial
muscles that react to
electrostatic fields.
 Observe that light is
composed of
oscillating electric
and magnetic waves
 Explore the
propagation of an
electromagnetic wave
through its electric
and magnetic field
vectors
 Observe the
difference in
propagation of light
of different
wavelengths
The director of the National
High Magnetic Field
Laboratory describes
electromagnetic waves.
Light a bulb by waving a
magnet. This demonstration
of Faraday's law will help
you to:

Faraday's Law:


Forces and Power in Flint Knapping:
Frequencies and Communities in the Music of Bali:
Generator:
Explain what happens
when the magnet
moves through the
coil at different
speeds and how this
affects the brightness
of the bulb and the
magnitude and sign
of the voltage.
Explain the
difference between
moving the magnet
through the coil from
the right side versus
the left side.
Explain the
difference between
moving magnet
through the big coil
versus the smaller
coil.
Sharpen your knowledge by
understanding the forces
used to make stone tools.
Physical science and social
science connect in this
discussion of Balinese
gamelan. Full STEAM
ahead!
This virtual manipulative
will help the students
generate electricity with a
bar magnet. Students can
discover the physics behind
the phenomena by exploring
magnets and how they can be
used to make a bulb light.
They will recognize that any
change in the magnetic
environment of a coil of wire
will cause a voltage to be
induced in the coil.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:





Geometric Optics:
Identify equipment
and conditions that
produce induction.
Compare and contrast
how both a light bulb
and voltmeter can be
used to show
characteristics of the
induced current.
Predict how the
current will change
when the conditions
are varied.
Explain practical
applications of
Faraday's Law.
Explain what is the
cause of the
induction.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the students to
understand how does a lens
form an image. Students can
see how light rays are
refracted by a lens. Students
can recognize that the image
changes when they adjust the
focal length of the lens,
move the object, move the
lens, or move the screen.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:


Explain how an
image is formed by a
converging lens using
ray diagrams.
How changing the
lens (radius, index,
and diameter) effects
where the image
appears and ho it
looks it terms of
magnification,
brightness and
inversion.


Geometrical Construction of Ray Diagrams:


Human Eye Accommodation:


Integrated Circuit:
Learn to trace the
path of propagating
light waves using
geometrical optics
Observe the effect of
changing parameters
such as focal length,
object dimensions
and position on image
properties
Learn the equations
used in determining
the size and locations
of images formed by
thin lenses
Observe how the
eye's muscles change
the shape of the lens
in accordance with
the distance to the
object being viewed
Indicate the parts of
the eye that are
responsible for vision
View how images are
formed in the eye
This interactive game will
help you learn about
integrated circuits, which can
be found in almost every
modern electrical device
such as computers, cars,
television sets, CD players,
cell phones, etc... The
challenge in this game is to
make it to the end.
Laser Challenge:
LASERS:
Light is a Particle:
Light Spectrum for Growing Plants:
Magnetism:
Molecules and Light:
Laser challenge is an
interesting game which is
based on the invention of the
laser. The player is on the
mission of collecting points,
CDs, and snacks. At the end
of each level, the player will
have to perform a laser task,
such as recognizing
appliances that contain lasers
and repairing faulty eyesight.
 Explain the processes
of absorption and
emission
 Describe how a laser
works
 Determine the factors
affecting lasing
This video contains a demo
that can be performed to
show that light consists of
particles
It also uses Lasers with
different wavelengths
Plants need visible light, just
not all of it. Learn how space
plants and their lights strive
for efficiency.
This site presents the basic
ideas of magnetism and
applies these ideas to the
earth's magnetic field. There
are several useful diagrams
and pictures interspersed
throughout this lesson, as
well as links to more detailed
subjects. This is an
introduction to a larger
collection on exploring the
Earth's magnetosphere. A
Spanish translation is
available.
This activity will help to
investigate how a greenhouse
gas affects the climate, or
why the ozone layer is
important. Using this
simulation, explore how light
interacts with molecules in
our atmosphere.
Areas to explore:






Neon Lights and Other Discharge Lamps:
How light interacts
with molecules in our
atmosphere.
Identify that
absorption of light
depends on the
molecule and the type
of light.
Relate the energy of
the light to the
resulting motion.
Identify that energy
increases from
microwave to
ultraviolet.
Predict the motion of
a molecule based on
the type of light it
absorbs.
Identify how the
structure of a
molecule affects how
it interacts with light.
This virtual manipulative
will allow you to produce
light by bombarding atoms
with electrons. You can also
visualize how the
characteristic spectra of
different elements are
produced, and configure your
own element's energy states
to produce light of different
colors.
Other areas to investigate:

Provide a basic
design for a discharge
lamp and explain the



Nuclear Fission:
Oceans and Energy Transfer:
Ohm's Law:
function of the
different components.
Explain the basic
structure of an atom
and relate it to the
color of light
produced by
discharge lamps.
Explain why
discharge lamps emit
only certain colors.
Design a discharge
lamp to emit any
desired spectrum of
colors.
Complete this virtual
manipulative to gain a better
understanding of nuclear
fission. Study the basic
principles behind chain
reactions and a nuclear
reactor.
Dive deep into science as an
oceanographer describes
conduction, convection, and
radiation and their
relationship to oceanic
systems.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the user to see
how the equation form of
ohm's law relates to a simple
circuit. Learners can adjust
the voltage and resistance,
and see the current change
according to Ohm's law. The
size of the symbols in the
equation change to match the
circuit diagram.
Hydrogen is used to launch
spacecraft, but accidental
fires are difficult to see.
Optical Spectroscopy: Using Electromagnetic Waves to Detect Fires:
Learn about the physics of
these fires and how we detect
them.
Play with one or two
pendulums and discover how
the period of a simple
pendulum depends on the
length of the string, the mass
of the pendulum bob, and the
amplitude of the swing. It's
easy to measure the period
using the photogate timer.
Students can vary friction
and the strength of gravity.


Pendulum Lab:



Photoelectric Effect:
Design experiments
to describe how
variables affect the
motion of a pendulum
Use a photogate timer
to determine
quantitatively how
the period of a
pendulum depends on
the variables you
described
Determine the
gravitational
acceleration of planet
X
Explain the
conservation of
Mechanical energy
concept using kinetic
energy and
gravitational potential
energy
Describe energy chart
from position or
selected speeds
This virtual manipulative
will help the students to
understand how the light
shines on a metal surface.
Students will recognize a
process called as
photoelectric effect wherein
light can be used to push
electrons from the surface of
a solid.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:






Photosynthesis:

Physics of Bass Guitar:
Visualize and
describe the
photoelectric effect
experiment.
Predict the results of
the experiment, when
the intensity of light
is changed and its
effects on the current
and energy of the
electrons.
Predict the results of
the experiment, when
the wavelength of the
light is changed and
its effects on the
current and the
energy of the
electrons.
Predict the results of
the experiment, when
the voltage of the
light is changed and
its effects on the
current and energy of
electrons.
Observe the
photosynthesis
mechanism in the
plant
Learn about the main
chemical reactions
that takes place
during photosynthesis
Learn how solar
energy is converted
into chemical energy
If physics has you down,
don't fret - this musician
covers all the bases.
Plan Your Archaeological Excavations with Radar Waves! :
Potential/Kinetic Energy Simulation:
Refraction of Light:
Resistance in a Wire:
Archaeologists can see
underground trends before
everyone else with ground
penetrating radar (GPR).
Learn about conservation of
energy with a skater! Build
tracks, ramps and jumps for
the skater and view the
kinetic energy, potential
energy, thermal energy as he
moves. You can adjust the
amount of friction and mass.
Measurement and graphing
tools are built in.
This resource explores the
electromagnetic spectrum
and waves by allowing the
learner to observe the
refraction of light as it passes
from one medium to another,
study the relation between
refraction of light and the
refractive index of the
medium, select from a list of
materials with different
refractive indicecs, and
change the light beam from
white to monochromatic and
observe the difference.
This manipulative will help
the students to learn about
the physics of resistance in a
wire. The electrical
resistance of a wire would be
expected to be greater for a
longer wire, less for a wire of
larger cross sectional area,
and would be expected to
depend upon the material out
of which the wire is made, to
understand this, students can
change the resistivity, length,
and area to see how they
affect the wire's resistance.
The sizes of the symbols in
the equation change along
with the diagram of a wire.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:



Reversing Velocity of a charged particle with magnetic field:
Science Crossword Puzzles:
Seeing into Atoms with Electromagnetic Energy:
Shape Affects Sound:
Shoot an Electron:
What characteristics
of a resistor are
variable in this
model?
How does each affect
the resistance (will
increasing or
decreasing each make
the resistance
correspondingly
increase or decrease?)
Explain your ideas
about why they
change the resistance.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the user to see
how a magnetic field will
effect the motion of a
charged particle. The charge
of the particle and the size of
the magnetic field can be
changed.
A collection of crossword
puzzles that test the
knowledge of students about
some of the terms, processes,
and classifications covered in
science topics
If you want to understand the
atom, you'll need a lot of
energy. Learn how physicists
use high energy light and
electrons to study atomic
structure.
Learn how the shape of a
didgeridoo affects its sound
in this totally tubular video.
This interesting game is to
hit the target located opposite
a electron gun. The electron
gun will fire an electron.
This electron must not hit
any walls or obstacles during
the attempt. The user may
direct the electron along a
path by placing stationary
positive and negative charges
at various locations. This
game will help
support learning about the
concept of the electric field,
which is created when
electrons repel other
electrons.
Whether it is a tumor or not,
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.
In this simulation you can:

Simplified MRI:


Recognize that light
can flip spins if the
energy of the photons
matches the
difference between
the energies of spin
up and spin down.
Recognize that the
difference between
the energies of spin
up and spin down is
proportional to the
strength of the
applied magnetic
field.
Describe how to put
these two ideas
together to detect
where there is a
higher density of
spins.
Solar Cell Operation:
Solar Energy: Lightbulbs in the Desert:
Solar Wind's Effect on Earth:
Sound:
Sound:
This resource explains how a
solar cell converts light
energy into electrical
energy. The user will also
learn about the different
components of the solar cell
and observe the relationship
between photon intensity and
the amount of electrical
energy produced.
This video shows how
harnessing solar energy can
transform remote, energypoor regions into energyindependent regions.
The Sun produces a solar
wind — a continuous flow of
charged particles — that can
affect us on Earth. It can, for
example, disrupt
communications, navigation
systems, and satellites. Solar
activity can also cause power
outages, such as the
extensive Canadian blackout
in 1989. In this video
segment adapted from
NASA, learn about solar
storms and their effects on
Earth.
The students will see and
hear the effects of changing
the frequency and/or
amplitude of a sound wave.
This animation may also be
used to demonstrate the
Doppler effect, reflection and
interference of sound waves.
This tutorial provides
information about the sound
and how it travels. It also
includes information on the
anatomy and physiology of
the human ear for the
States of Matter:
The Transistor:
Using X-rays in Archeology:
learners to understand how
sound passes through the ear.
Watch different types of
molecules form a solid,
liquid, or gas. Add or remove
heat and watch the phase
change. Change the
temperature or volume of a
container and see a pressuretemperature diagram respond
in real time.
This game will help you test
your understanding about the
transistor, which is a
semiconductor device used to
amplify and switch electronic
signals and electrical power.
In this game your job in a
transistor recycling center is
to remove all the items that
do not contain transistors
from the conveyor belt. You
can read all about the
transistor, how it was
developed and how it is used.
An archaeologist explains
how he is using x-rays to
reconstruct a nineteenthcentury battle!
Learn how to build a circuit
Learn how to measure
voltage in a circuit using a
voltmeter
Virtual Construction Kit (DC only):
Wave Frequency and Audio Engineering:
Determine the resistance of
certain objects that can be
used as part of an electric
circuit
Explain the difference
between parallel and series
circuits
Want to watch a video on
audio engineering and
frequency? Sounds good to
me.
Wind Turbine Energy:
This video highlights how
wind turbines are used to
generate electricity for
consumer use.
Parent Resources
Title
Alpha decay:
Beta Decay:
Black body Spectrum:
Blacksmithing and Heat Transfer:
Bring Frequencies to Life with Balinese Music:
Description
This virtual manipulative
will help you to understand
the process of alpha decay.
Watch alpha particles escape
from a polonium nucleus,
causing radioactive alpha
decay. See how random
decay times relate to the half
life.
This is a virtual manipulative
to understand beta decay. In
the Beta decay process, a
neutron decays into a proton
and an electron (beta
radiation). The process also
requires the emission of a
neutrino to maintain
momentum and energy
balance. Beta decay allows
the atom to obtain the
optimal ratio of protons and
neutrons.
In this simulation, learn
about the black body
spectrum of the sun, a light
bulb, an oven and the earth.
Adjust the temperature to see
how the wavelength and
intensity of the spectrum are
affected.
Forge a new understanding
of metallurgy and heat
transfer by learning how this
blacksmith and collier make
nails.
It's okay if you're not on
quite the same wavelength as
this ethnomusicologist. In
Balinese gamelan tuning,
that's a good thing!
Explore how a capacitor
works in this simulation.
Change the plates and add a
dielectric to see how it
affects capacitance. Change
the voltage and see charges
built up on the plates. You
can observe the electric field
in the capacitor, measure
voltage and the electric field.
Other investigations can
include:

Capacitor Lab:



Characteristics of Waves:
Determine the
relationship between
charge and voltage
for a capacitor.
Determine the energy
stored in a capacitor
or a set of capacitors
in a circuit.
Explore the effect of
space and dielectric
materials inserted
between the
conductors of the
capacitor in a circuit.
Determine the
equivalent
capacitance of a set
of capacitors in series
and in parallel in a
circuit.
This tutorial contains
information about the
characteristics of
longitudinal, transverse, and
surface waves. This tutorial
will also provide information
about the amplitude,
frequency, wavelength,
speed, refraction, reflection,
diffraction, and constructive
and destructive interference
of the waves.
Charges and Fields:
This virtual manipulative
will allow the students to
understand that the electric
field is the region where the
force on one charge is caused
by the presence of another
charge. The students will
recognize the equipotential
lines that exist between the
charged regions.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:



Determine the
variables that affect
how charged bodies
interact.
Predict how charged
bodies will interact.
Describe the strength
and direction of the
electric field around a
charged body.
An electronic kit in your
computer! Build circuits with
resistors, light bulbs,
batteries, and switches. Take
measurements with the
realistic ammeter and
voltmeter. View the circuit as
a schematic diagram, or
switch to a life-like view.
Circuit Construction kit:
Other options for
exploration:



Discuss basic
electricity
relationships
Build circuits from
schematic drawings.
Use an ammeter and
voltmeter to take
readings in circuits.




Coulomb's Law:
Current, Voltage, Resistance, and Superconductivity:
Electromagnetism:
Faraday's Law:
Provide reasoning to
explain the
measurements and
relationship in
circuits.
Discuss basic
electricity
relationships in series
and parallel circuits.
Provide reasoning to
explain the
measurements in
circuits.
Determine the
resistance of common
objects in the "Grab
Bag".
This virtual manipulative
will help the learners
understand Coulomb's law
which is the fundamental
principle of electrostatics. It
is the force of attraction or
repulsion between two
charged particles which is
directly proportional to the
product of the charges and
inversely proportional to the
distance between them.
Physics is cool, especially if
you want to make super-cold,
super-efficient,
superconductive materials.
The director of the National
High Magnetic Field
Laboratory describes
electromagnetic waves.
Light a bulb by waving a
magnet. This demonstration
of Faraday's law will help
you to:

Explain what happens
when the magnet
moves through the


Forces and Power in Flint Knapping:
Frequencies and Communities in the Music of Bali:
Generator:
coil at different
speeds and how this
affects the brightness
of the bulb and the
magnitude and sign
of the voltage.
Explain the
difference between
moving the magnet
through the coil from
the right side versus
the left side.
Explain the
difference between
moving magnet
through the big coil
versus the smaller
coil.
Sharpen your knowledge by
understanding the forces
used to make stone tools.
Physical science and social
science connect in this
discussion of Balinese
gamelan. Full STEAM
ahead!
This virtual manipulative
will help the students
generate electricity with a
bar magnet. Students can
discover the physics behind
the phenomena by exploring
magnets and how they can be
used to make a bulb light.
They will recognize that any
change in the magnetic
environment of a coil of wire
will cause a voltage to be
induced in the coil.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:

Identify equipment
and conditions that
produce induction.




Compare and contrast
how both a light bulb
and voltmeter can be
used to show
characteristics of the
induced current.
Predict how the
current will change
when the conditions
are varied.
Explain practical
applications of
Faraday's Law.
Explain what is the
cause of the
induction.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the students to
understand how does a lens
form an image. Students can
see how light rays are
refracted by a lens. Students
can recognize that the image
changes when they adjust the
focal length of the lens,
move the object, move the
lens, or move the screen.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:
Geometric Optics:


Heat Transfer Demonstrations:
Explain how an
image is formed by a
converging lens using
ray diagrams.
How changing the
lens (radius, index,
and diameter) effects
where the image
appears and ho it
looks it terms of
magnification,
brightness and
inversion.
A physics teacher presents
some quick teaching ideas
Integrated Circuit:
Interaction Between a Charged Balloon and a Wall:
Laser Challenge:
Light Spectrum for Growing Plants:
Lorentz Force:
for demonstrating energy
transfer through convection,
conduction, and radiation.
This interactive game will
help you learn about
integrated circuits, which can
be found in almost every
modern electrical device
such as computers, cars,
television sets, CD players,
cell phones, etc... The
challenge in this game is to
make it to the end.
This virtual manipulative
demonstrates the electrostatic
interaction between a
charged balloon and a wall.
Students may play with the
slider of "Charges on the
balloon" to change the type
and amount of the charges on
the balloon. The simulation
also has the option of seeing
a microscopic model which
helps in understanding the
phenomenon. After adjusting
the charge press PLAY to
observe the interaction.
Laser challenge is an
interesting game which is
based on the invention of the
laser. The player is on the
mission of collecting points,
CDs, and snacks. At the end
of each level, the player will
have to perform a laser task,
such as recognizing
appliances that contain lasers
and repairing faulty eyesight.
Plants need visible light, just
not all of it. Learn how space
plants and their lights strive
for efficiency.
This visual interactive
simulation will help the
student watch how a charged
particle moves in a magnetic
field. This force is defined as
the Lorentz force which is
the force on a point charge
due to electromagnetic fields.
There is a relationship
between the movement of the
particle through the magnetic
field, the strength of that
magnetic field and the force
on the particle. The
following equation described
the force: F=qvB
Where:




Magnets and Electromagnets:
F is the force in
Newtons
q is the electric
charge in coulombs
v is the velocity of
the charge in
meters/sound
B is the strength of
the magnetic field.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the students to
explore the interactions
between a compass and bar
magnet. Students can
discover that magnetic fields
are produced when all the
electrons in a metal object
are spinning in the same
direction, either as a natural
phenomenon, in an
artificially created magnet, or
when they are induced to do
so by an electromagnetic
field.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:

Predict the direction
of the magnet field
for different locations



around a bar magnet
and electromagnet.
Compare and contrast
bar magnets and
electromagnets.
Identify the
characteristics of
electromagnets that
are variable and what
effects each variable
has on the magnetic
field's strength and
direction.
Relate magnetic field
strength to distance
quantitatively and
qualitatively.
This activity will help to
investigate how a greenhouse
gas affects the climate, or
why the ozone layer is
important. Using this
simulation, explore how light
interacts with molecules in
our atmosphere.
Areas to explore:

Molecules and Light:




How light interacts
with molecules in our
atmosphere.
Identify that
absorption of light
depends on the
molecule and the type
of light.
Relate the energy of
the light to the
resulting motion.
Identify that energy
increases from
microwave to
ultraviolet.
Predict the motion of
a molecule based on
the type of light it
absorbs.

Identify how the
structure of a
molecule affects how
it interacts with light.
This virtual manipulative
will allow you to produce
light by bombarding atoms
with electrons. You can also
visualize how the
characteristic spectra of
different elements are
produced, and configure your
own element's energy states
to produce light of different
colors.
Other areas to investigate:

Neon Lights and Other Discharge Lamps:



Normal Modes:
Provide a basic
design for a discharge
lamp and explain the
function of the
different components.
Explain the basic
structure of an atom
and relate it to the
color of light
produced by
discharge lamps.
Explain why
discharge lamps emit
only certain colors.
Design a discharge
lamp to emit any
desired spectrum of
colors.
Play with a 1D or 2D system
of coupled mass-spring
oscillators. Vary the number
of masses, set the initial
conditions, and watch the
system evolve. See the
spectrum of normal modes
for arbitrary motion.
Compare longitudinal and
transverse modes.
Oceans and Energy Transfer:
Dive deep into science as an
oceanographer describes
conduction, convection, and
radiation and their
relationship to oceanic
systems.
Ohm's Law:
This virtual manipulative
will allow the user to see
how the equation form of
ohm's law relates to a simple
circuit. Learners can adjust
the voltage and resistance,
and see the current change
according to Ohm's law. The
size of the symbols in the
equation change to match the
circuit diagram.
Hydrogen is used to launch
spacecraft, but accidental
fires are difficult to see.
Optical Spectroscopy: Using Electromagnetic Waves to Detect Fires:
Learn about the physics of
these fires and how we detect
them.
Pendulum Lab:
Play with one or two
pendulums and discover how
the period of a simple
pendulum depends on the
length of the string, the mass
of the pendulum bob, and the
amplitude of the swing. It's
easy to measure the period
using the photogate timer.
Students can vary friction
and the strength of gravity.


Design experiments
to describe how
variables affect the
motion of a pendulum
Use a photogate timer
to determine
quantitatively how
the period of a
pendulum depends on



the variables you
described
Determine the
gravitational
acceleration of planet
X
Explain the
conservation of
Mechanical energy
concept using kinetic
energy and
gravitational potential
energy
Describe energy chart
from position or
selected speeds
This virtual manipulative
will help the students to
understand how the light
shines on a metal surface.
Students will recognize a
process called as
photoelectric effect wherein
light can be used to push
electrons from the surface of
a solid.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:

Photoelectric Effect:


Visualize and
describe the
photoelectric effect
experiment.
Predict the results of
the experiment, when
the intensity of light
is changed and its
effects on the current
and energy of the
electrons.
Predict the results of
the experiment, when
the wavelength of the
light is changed and
its effects on the
current and the

Physics of Bass Guitar:
Plan Your Archaeological Excavations with Radar Waves! :
Resistance in a Wire:
energy of the
electrons.
Predict the results of
the experiment, when
the voltage of the
light is changed and
its effects on the
current and energy of
electrons.
If physics has you down,
don't fret - this musician
covers all the bases.
Archaeologists can see
underground trends before
everyone else with ground
penetrating radar (GPR).
This manipulative will help
the students to learn about
the physics of resistance in a
wire. The electrical
resistance of a wire would be
expected to be greater for a
longer wire, less for a wire of
larger cross sectional area,
and would be expected to
depend upon the material out
of which the wire is made, to
understand this, students can
change the resistivity, length,
and area to see how they
affect the wire's resistance.
The sizes of the symbols in
the equation change along
with the diagram of a wire.
Some of the sample learning
goals can be:


What characteristics
of a resistor are
variable in this
model?
How does each affect
the resistance (will
increasing or
decreasing each make
the resistance

Reversing Velocity of a charged particle with magnetic field:
Seeing into Atoms with Electromagnetic Energy:
Shape Affects Sound:
Shoot an Electron:
Simplified MRI:
correspondingly
increase or decrease?)
Explain your ideas
about why they
change the resistance.
This virtual manipulative
will allow the user to see
how a magnetic field will
effect the motion of a
charged particle. The charge
of the particle and the size of
the magnetic field can be
changed.
If you want to understand the
atom, you'll need a lot of
energy. Learn how physicists
use high energy light and
electrons to study atomic
structure.
Learn how the shape of a
didgeridoo affects its sound
in this totally tubular video.
This interesting game is to
hit the target located opposite
a electron gun. The electron
gun will fire an electron.
This electron must not hit
any walls or obstacles during
the attempt. The user may
direct the electron along a
path by placing stationary
positive and negative charges
at various locations. This
game will help
support learning about the
concept of the electric field,
which is created when
electrons repel other
electrons.
Whether it is a tumor or not,
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.
In this simulation you can:



Sound:
The Transistor:
Recognize that light
can flip spins if the
energy of the photons
matches the
difference between
the energies of spin
up and spin down.
Recognize that the
difference between
the energies of spin
up and spin down is
proportional to the
strength of the
applied magnetic
field.
Describe how to put
these two ideas
together to detect
where there is a
higher density of
spins.
This tutorial provides
information about the sound
and how it travels. It also
includes information on the
anatomy and physiology of
the human ear for the
learners to understand how
sound passes through the ear.
This game will help you test
your understanding about the
transistor, which is a
semiconductor device used to
amplify and switch electronic
signals and electrical power.
In this game your job in a
transistor recycling center is
Using X-rays in Archeology:
Wave Frequency and Audio Engineering:
Which has More Energy, Red or Blue Light?:
to remove all the items that
do not contain transistors
from the conveyor belt. You
can read all about the
transistor, how it was
developed and how it is used.
An archaeologist explains
how he is using x-rays to
reconstruct a nineteenthcentury battle!
Want to watch a video on
audio engineering and
frequency? Sounds good to
me.
This colorful light and
energy lesson idea will make
you glow!