This interactive simulation offers a way for students to explore the connection between uniform circular motion and simple harmonic motion. The display shows two blocks on springs oscillating horizontally, and two balls traveling in uniform motion in a circular path. The user sets initial values for the blocks: amplitude, mass, and spring constant. The two balls are automatically set to the same values. Students are able to see that the circular motion of each ball corresponds to the motion of the blocks, thus promoting understanding of the basic equation for objects undergoing simple harmonic motion. To extend the learning, users can set values for the phase angles of each block. Also included by the author is a set of suggested activities to accompany the simulation. See Related Materials for an extensive online multimedia tutorial from PhysClips on the topic of simple harmonic motion. This applet was created with EJS, Easy Java Simulations, a modeling tool that allows users without formal programming experience to generate computer models and simulations.

This series of informative graphics provide a regional overview of US energy resources.

University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves. Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and Volume 3 covers optics and modern physics. This textbook emphasizes connections between between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.

This video is meant to be a fun, hands-on session that gets students to think hard about how machines work. It teaches them the connection between the geometry that they study and the kinematics that engineers use -- explaining that kinematics is simply geometry in motion. In this lesson, geometry will be used in a way that students are not used to. Materials necessary for the hands-on activities include two options: pegboard, nails/screws and a small saw; or colored construction paper, thumbtacks and scissors. Some in-class activities for the breaks between the video segments include: exploring the role of geometry in a slider-crank mechanism; determining at which point to locate a joint or bearing in a mechanism; recognizing useful mechanisms in the students' communities that employ the same guided motion they have been studying.

Learning Assistants are used to facilitate student discussion in peer instruction during clicker questions (i.e., classroom response systems), by asking Socratic questions, emphasizing reasoning, and probing student thinking.

This activity is a computer lab activity in which students use Microsoft Excel to create a spreadsheet capable of calculating gravity forces and acceleration values for any two objects if the masses of the objects and their separation distance are entered. Students will use their calculators to analyze numerous object pairs and make conclusions about gravity forces and accelerations on earth, on other planets, and in space.

In this activity, students interpret the motion of a car using its related velocity and acceleration vectors.

This is a computer lab activity where students view images of stars, nebulas, and galaxies and discover factors in telescope design that allow scientists to study the universe. The students will write questions about the images and produce a power point presentation on features of the universe.

This is a virtual lab activity on the photoelectric effect based on a Java applet simulation of the experiment.

Students study the physical properties of different fluids and investigate the relationship between the viscosities of liquid and how fast they flow through a confined area. Student groups conduct a brief experiment in which they quantify the flow rate to understand how it relates to a fluid's viscosity and ultimately chemical composition. They explore these properties in milk and cream, which are common fluids whose properties (and even taste!) differ based on fat content. They examine control samples and unknown samples, which they must identify based on how fast they flow. To identify the unknowns requires an understanding of the concept of viscosity. For example, heavy cream flows at a slower rate than skim milk. Ultimately, students gain an understanding of the concept of viscosity and its effect on flow rate.

Ever wonder how a battery works? This segment highlights voltaic cells, their various components and how they operate.

In this activity, learners walk the sides and interior angles of various polygons drawn on the playground. As they do so, learners practice rotating clockwise 180 and 360 degrees. Learners discover there is a pattern to the sum of the interior angles of any polygon.

This activity provides students with a first look at water tension and its role in the life of a water strider.

This activity provides students with a first look at water tension and its role in the life of a water strider.

This video is an introduction to the global issue of water. It examines questions like "How can there be a water shortage when we are surrounded by water?". This video is part of the Sustainability Learning Suites, made possible in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation. See 'Learn more about this resource' for Learning Objectives and Activities.

This video looks at how water is provided for our use through the hydrologic cycle. It also explains how global climate change disturbs the storage of water in the various global compartments. This video is part of the Sustainability Learning Suites, made possible in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation. See 'Learn more about this resource' for Learning Objectives and Activities.

How do we account for water use? What is the difference between water consumed and water withdrawn? What is the water footprint tool? This video examines these questions. This video is part of the Sustainability Learning Suites, made possible in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation. See 'Learn more about this resource' for Learning Objectives and Activities.

This video looks at how water use and energy use are connected when industrial era technologies are used as the primary means of supplying process energy. This video is part of the Sustainability Learning Suites, made possible in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation. See 'Learn more about this resource' for Learning Objectives and Activities.

This activity investigates water when it freezes and how other solid items sink or float in water.