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Online Experiential Science Lessons
Detailed Catalog of All Experiential STEM Lessons
The table below lists Smart Science® lab and other activity units, along with images from the videos, descriptions, goals, and parameter lists. |
Experimental Data Series | ||
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SI Units | ![]() | |
Basic metric distance units Introduces student to length, mass, volume measurements and to Smart Science® lab operations. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Distance Unit | ||
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Understanding straight line graphs Collecting distance-time data from a person walking, running, etc. provides intuitive insight into straight-line graphs. | ||
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Changing Graphs | ![]() | |
Understanding broken straight line graphs Changes of velocity highlight this experiment. What does a graph of a person reversing direction look like? How about a person stopping? | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Volume Graphs | ![]() | |
Graphs with volume as independent variable See how a different independent variable affects graphs. What remains the same? What changes? | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Weight Graphs | ![]() | |
Weight and number of items illustrates averaging Investigate graphs of uniform and non-uniform objects measuring weight against number of objects. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Random Errors | ![]() | |
Observing and analyzing random errors See how taking more points affects random error. Random error is injected into the data you take. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Systematic Errors | ![]() | |
Simple illustration of systematic error This example of systematic error is very graphic. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Do-it-yourself chi-square example Take your own data and perform chi-square analysis. Report online. | ||
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Parameters | ||
AcknowledgmentJudith Nuño, http://www.jdenuno.com/ | ||
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Measurement | ![]() | |
Learning to read various analog measuring devices Several devices such as triple-beam balance, buret, multimeter, spring scale, etc. are provided. | ||
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Build your own inexpensive, sensitive balance from common materials Sensitivity can be around 10 mg or better with a balance you can build in a day with ordinary, inexpensive materials. | ||
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Parameters Total Mass | ||
Biology Series | ||
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Cell Metabolism | ![]() | |
Yeast metabolism factors Use color matching to color bar to record progress of reaction. Compare rates with differing sugars, temperatures. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Sugar Concentration | ||
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Diffusion in a Gel | ![]() | |
Diffusion over time Measure linear diffusion in a gel over time to determine how diffusion works. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Orientation Temperature | ||
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How fast bacteria growth in limited food media Measure size of bacterial colonies as they grow.. | ||
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Parameters
Graph Type | ||
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Plant and animal mitosis Classify cells in microscope images by mitosis phase. | ||
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Parameters
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Stages of meiosis Identify features of the stages of meiosis. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Slide | ||
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Elements of stem structure Identify important tissues and cell types in stem cross sections. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Challenge | ||
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Crossing Over | ![]() | |
Estimating map position of genes Find frequencies of different asci. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Slide | ||
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You're the predator affecting the survival of prey As the generations pass, your predation affects the numbers of prey that survive and reproduce. | ||
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Parameters
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Enzymes and Concentration | ![]() | |
Observe enzyme-catalyzed reactions Note reaction rate over time and effect of changing substrate concentration. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Substrate concentration Temperature | ||
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Enzymes and Temperature | ![]() | |
Observe enzyme-catalyzed reactions Note reaction rate over time and effect of changing temperature. | ||
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Parameters
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Enzymes and pH | ![]() | |
Observe enzyme-catalyzed reactions Note reaction rate over time and effect of changing pH. | ||
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Parameters
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Osmosis | ![]() | |
Observe effects of saline concentration on materials How salt concentration affects mass of material slices. | ||
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Parameters
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Rate of diffusion across a semipermeable membrane Weigh dialysis bag after exposure to various solutions. | ||
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Parameters
Concentration Bath | ||
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Effect of solute and concentration of red onion cells See how solute concentration affects plant cells. | ||
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Parameters
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Gel Electrophoresis | ![]() | |
Study gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments How separation occurs and differentiates by size. | ||
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Parameters
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AcknowledgmentThis lab made possible byBowie High School, Prince George's County Public Schools, MD Dr. Florence Davidson | ||
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Photosynthesis and Light | ![]() | |
Explore light and photosynthesis How photosynthetic rate varies with light color and intensity. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Intensity | ||
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Photosynthesis | ![]() | |
Explore light and photosynthesis How photosynthetic rate varies with light color and intensity. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Color pH | ||
AcknowledgmentThis lab made possible byHoward B. Owens Science Center, Prince George's County Public Schools, MD | ||
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Photosynthesis and pH | ![]() | |
Explore pH and photosynthesis How photosynthetic rate varies with pH and light color. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Color pH | ||
AcknowledgmentThis lab made possible byHoward B. Owens Science Center, Prince George's County Public Schools, MD | ||
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Corn Genetics | ![]() | |
Observe effects of hybrid crosses How offspring phenotypes are affected by genotypes of parents. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Corn | ||
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Corn Genetics 2 | ![]() | |
Observe effects of dihybrid crosses How offspring phenotypes are affected by genotypes of parents. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Corn | ||
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Note environmental effects on transpiration How various environmental effects and number of leaves affects transpiration rates in plants. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Environment | ||
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Cell Respiration | ![]() | |
Study temperature effects on sprout respiration How temperature and seed type affect rate of cell respiration. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Type Temperature | ||
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Observe animal taxis with various stimuli Note effects of wet-dry, light-dark, acid, base, salt and other stimuli on animal taxis. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
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Discover presence of pigments in different plants Observe separation of different plant materials and effect of changing the solvent on the separation. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Eluent | ||
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Capillarity | ![]() | |
Liquids rise in tubes How capillary action varies with diameter and with liquid. | ||
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Parameters
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Molecular Biology Series | ||
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Genetic Code Exercise Use tables and diagrams to understand how DNA codes for amino acids. Also, review some properties of amino acids. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Challenge | ||
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Hands-on Simulation of Restriction Enzymes Use hands-on simulation to help understand how restriction enzymes work and the effects on gel electrophoresis patterns. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Enzyme | ||
Physiology Series | ||
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Muscle fatigue and recovery Measure muscle fatigue on muscles in hand. Design experiment to analyze different activities on muscle recovery. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Activity | ||
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Effect of activities on heart Perform a protocol and measure heart rate and, if possible, pressure. Do experiment with several people and correlate results with age, etc. | ||
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Parameters
Reading | ||
Dissection Series | ||
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Frog Dissection (Find) Activity Locate specified organs on different images of a dissected frog. | ||
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Parameters
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Frog Dissection (Identify) Activity Identify highlighted organs in different views of a dissected frog. | ||
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Parameters
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Shark Dissection (Identify) Activity Identify highlighted organs in different views of a dissected shark. | ||
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Parameters
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Environmental Series | ||
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Evaluate food webs Identify roles of species in a food web | ||
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Parameters
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Seed Germination, Pollution | ![]() | |
Pollutant effects on germination Count number of seeds germinated over time to determine effect of pollutants. Compare germination rates with differing pollutants. | ||
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Parameters
Concentration | ||
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Investigate properties of biomes Read about biomes, interact to classify them in various ways. | ||
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Parameters
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Practice understanding food webs Answer questions using interactive food web diagrams. | ||
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Parameters
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Dissolved Oxygen | ![]() | |
Make dissolved oxygen measurements Measure dissolved oxygen at different temperatures and salt concentrations. | ||
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Parameters
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Primary Productivity | ![]() | |
Measure primary productivity in different samples Measure dissolved oxygen over time in water samples from different sources and with different light levels | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Jar | ||
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Biodiversity | ![]() | |
Use morphology and chemical tests to identify closeness of different plant species. Use seed size, seed shape, leaf shape, and microscopic stem cross sections to classify plants on morphology. Use TLC and an enzyme test to check for chemical similarity. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Plant | ||
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Acid Rain | ![]() | |
Explore the impact of acid rain on different rocks. Measure rate of stone loss for limestone, marble, and slate with acid dripping on them. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Graph Type | ||
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Air Pollution | ![]() | |
Find out about the relationship between air pollution and population. Explore the correlation between air pollution and population in the largest cities of three nations. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Graph Type | ||
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Diversity of Species | ![]() | |
Investigate species diversity in different regions. Count species in four different environments across several scenes. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Graph Type | ||
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Non-Renewable Energy | ![]() | |
Compare reserves and usage rates for coal, oil, and natural gas in a number of countries. Measure coal, oil, and gas reserves for each country and the usage rate; compare years the resource will last.. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Graph Type | ||
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Renewable Energy | ![]() | |
Measure wind and solar energy production on typical days. Measure daily power generated by wind and solar systems. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Day Graph Type | ||
Chemistry Series | ||
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Identify and understand laboratory glassware | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Chemical Change | ![]() | |
Understanding Chemical and Physical Reactions Observe and categorize various reactions. See how chemical and physical reactions differ, if at all. | ||
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AcknowledgmentDr. George Bodner, Arthur E. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Education and Engineering at Purdue University | ||
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Chemical Reactions | ![]() | |
Introducing Chemical Reactions Observe and categorize chemical reactions. Is it synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, or combustion? | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Determining factors affecting solubility Observe solubility of solutes in various solvents. Find patterns relating to solvent and solute properties. | ||
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Parameters Solute | ||
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Observing flame tests for cations Compare color and spectra to deterimne unknowns. | ||
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Parameters Sample | ||
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Iron-Tin Reaction | ![]() | |
Measurement of reaction rate Use color matching to color bar to record progress of reaction. Compare rates at differing temperatures. | ||
Goals
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Parameters [Fe+++] [Sn++] [HCl] | ||
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Acid-base titration curves Use color matching to color bar to record titration. Note how strong/weak acid or base as titrant affect curve. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Unknown Reagent | ||
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Do-it-yourself acid-base titration Make an indicator; mix base solution; set up standards; do titration. Compare expected precision with actual precision. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Crystal Violet Bleaching | ![]() | |
Measurement of reaction rate Use color matching to color bar to record progress of reaction. Compare rates with different concentrations. | ||
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Parameters [Xtal Violet] Temperature [HCl] | ||
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Molar Volume | ![]() | |
Relate gas generated to mass Dissolve metals in acid and measure hydrogen volume against mass of metal. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Locate missing elements Collect data on various element properties. Use data to locate some missing elements. Periodic Table exercise also available | ||
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Parameters Property | ||
AcknowledgmentMetallium, Inc. www.elementsales.com | ||
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Questions ask for element identification | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Questions ask for element identification. Simpler version of Periodic Table Exercise. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Questions ask for element identification | ||
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Heating hydrates and weighing to determine
stoichiometry Several salt hydrates are heated to drive off water of hydration. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Interactive exploration of hydrate analysis procedure Understand each step of procedure, apparatus, and safety. | ||
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Electrochemical Series | ![]() | |
Comparing the voltages of half-cells with varying
metals Metal electrodes immersed in 0.1M solutions of corresponding salts with salt bridge and voltmeter. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Electroplating | ![]() | |
Weighing electrodes after equal times at constant
current being oxidized or reduced Metals are plated from solution, or metal electrodes are dissolved into solution by electrolysis. Mass and charge relationships are measured. | ||
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Parameters Metal | ||
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Estimating molar masses by freezing point depression Different amounts of organic compounds added to lauric acid depress its melting (freezing) point. | ||
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Parameters Mass | ||
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Molar Mass by Vapor Density | ![]() | |
Estimating molar masses by weighing vapor Weigh known volumes of vapor given temperature and pressure to estimate molar masses. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Formula of Metal Chlorides | ![]() | |
Determining empirical formulas of metal chlorides Dissolve different metals in HCl. Dry and weigh. | ||
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Parameters | ||
AcknowledgmentMetallium, Inc. www.elementsales.com | ||
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Determine pH ranges of indicators Observe colors of many indicators across of range of pH values. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Mole Ratio of Precipitates | ![]() | |
Determine ratios of cations and anions gravimetrically Weigh precipitates to estimate ratios and to observe effect of excess ions. | ||
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Interactive exploration of precipitation procedure Understand each step of procedure, apparatus, and safety. | ||
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Measure heat generated by neutralization reactions For each increment added, read temperature; understand resulting graphs. Calculate molar heats of neutralization. | ||
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Measure heat change when solutes dissolved in water For each increment of solute added, read temperature; understand graphs. Calculate molar heats of solution. | ||
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Colorimetric Determination of Copper | ![]() | |
Use colorimetry and standard addition to analyze copper alloys Begin with standardization. Then, dissolve alloys in nitric acid. Dilute in volumetric flask. Measure color intensity. | ||
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Parameters Number | ||
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A do-it-yourself gravimetric analysis wet lab Analyze plant food for phosphorus content. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Oxidizing Power | ![]() | |
Use redox titration to measure oxidizing power of various bleaches Standarize thiosulfate solution using potassium iodate. Titrate bleaches using iodide method. | ||
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Parameters Number | ||
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A do-it-yourself solubility product wet lab Investigate solubility product of a compound. | ||
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A do-it-yourself inorganic synthesis wet lab Synthesize Rochelle salt and check yield and quality. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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Equilibrium Constants | ![]() | |
Study complex ion equilibria using spectrophotometry Calibrate for each complex and measure absorbance of test solutions. Calculate equilibrium constants | ||
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Parameters Metal Ligand | ||
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Buffers | ![]() | |
Study how solution composition affects sensitivity to addition of acid or base Follow pH change as strong acid or base is added to solutions with varying composition. Calculate buffer capacity. | ||
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Parameters Reagent | ||
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A do-it-yourself water electrolysis wet lab Perform water electrolysis with various electrolytes and note results. | ||
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Parameters | ||
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A do-it-yourself reaction rate wet lab Measure reaction rates at different temperatures and under different conditions and note results. | ||
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Parameters Additive | ||
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Polyprotic Acids | ![]() | |
Titrate various polyprotic acids with strong base Take readings from pH meter as strong base is added to polyprotic acid solutions. | ||
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Earth Science Series | ||
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Porosity | ![]() | |
Measurement of porosity Measure the rate that a cylindrical container fills with water and how this rate is affected by different materials in cylinder. | ||
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Evaporation | ![]() | |
Measurement of evaporation rates Measure the rate that different liquids evaporate from different sizes of Petrie dishes. | ||
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Parameters Liquid Temperature | ||
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Soil Permeability | ![]() | |
Measurement of water percolation through soils Measure the rate that water flows through different soils. | ||
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Erosion and Flow | ![]() | |
Measurement of channel and meander widths with changing water flow Measure the channel width and amount of meander as flow changes.. Observe stream bed formation. | ||
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Parameters Flow rate Data | ||
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Erosion and Slope | ![]() | |
Determination of type of stream as slope changes. Classify stream appearance for different slopes. Observe stream bed formation. | ||
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Parameters Flow rate | ||
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Basic Rock Identification | ![]() | |
Identifying various rock types This lab investigates igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types. | ||
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Daily Tides | ![]() | |
Recording and analyzing daily tides Explain period, amplitude and phase changes of daily tides. | ||
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Recognizing and understanding basic cloud types Recognize nine basic types plus one extra type. | ||
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Earthquakes | ![]() | |
Measure distances to epicenters on sesimograms; locate epicenters Measure P-wave to S-wave times on actual seismograms. Convert to km and plot on maps. Estimate location of epicenters. | ||
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Parameters Earthquake | ||
Astronomy Series | ||
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Phases of Moon | ![]() | |
Names for and causes of Moon phases Observe Moon going through phases. Identify and name phases. | ||
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Parameters
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Actual Moon images from Stirling Astronomical Society | ||
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Identify solar system bodies and some of their
properties From position and appearance, identify planets and major moons. Also, associate properties with solar system bodies. | ||
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Parameters
Challenge | ||
Images courtesy of NASA. | ||
Collisions Series | ||
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Inelastic Collisions | ![]() | |
Analyze inelastic collisions between equal masses This experiment uses an air track to illustrate conservation of momentum. With equal masses, you'll obtain a halving of the speed. Friction causes a small error you can discuss in class. | ||
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Parameters Initial Speed Target Mass | ||
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Inelastic Collisions with Differing Masses | ![]() | |
Analyze inelastic collisions between unequal masses This experiment provides more opportunity to analyze conservation of momentum. Using precise and differing masses allows full development of the concept. | ||
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Parameters Initial Speed Target Mass | ||
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Elastic Collisions | ![]() | |
Analyze elastic collisions between equal masses Powerful ceramic magnets provide the force repelling one airtrack glider from the other as they collide. Observe that the moving glider stops while the stationary moves off with roughly the speed of the initially moving glider. | ||
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Parameters Initial Speed Target Mass | ||
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Elastic Collisions with Different Masses | ![]() | |
Analyze elastic collisions between unequal masses Provide a deeper analysis of conservation of energy in elastic collisions. Powerful ceramic magnets provide repelling and conserving force. | ||
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Parameters Initial Speed Target Mass | ||
Electricity Series | ||
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Voltage and Brightness | ![]() | |
Voltage and wattage rating effects on brightness Measure brightness at different voltages for various wattage light bulbs. | ||
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Parameters
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Wire Properties | ![]() | |
Effect of wire length and thickness on resistance Measure resistance against length for different gauge nichrome wires. | ||
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Parameters
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Capacitors | ![]() | |
Effect of different capacitor networks on voltage-time Follow voltage-time curve for DC voltage on different capacitor networks. Understand capacitance and combining capacitors. | ||
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Parameters
Resistance Voltage | ||
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Determine how current, voltage, and resistance are related. Measure current-voltage data for different resistors (virtual) and current-resistance data for different voltages (wet). | ||
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Parameters
Voltage (wet) | ||
Heat and Temperature Series | ||
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Brownian Motion, Random Walk | ![]() | |
Note randomness of Brownian motion Brownian motion provided the clue to understanding that heat is motion. This experiment introduces the fundamental concept of Brownian motion. | ||
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AcknowledgmentEly Silk, Views from Science (site no longer active) | ||
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Brownian Motion, Temperature | ![]() | |
Note effect of temperature on Brownian motion Observe the effect of temperature on Brownian motion. The low temperature is provided by dry ice. The high temperature is from a heat lamp. | ||
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Parameters Experiment number | ||
AcknowledgmentEly Silk, Views from Science (site no longer available) | ||
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Determine relationship between gas volume and temperature A 50 ml syringe provide the chamber for observing the change of volume with temperature. As a hot plate heats a water bath, readings are taken of the plunger position. | ||
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Liquid Volume-Temperature | ![]() | |
Determine relationship between liquid volume and temperature A standard liquid expansion apparatus with a volume of 25 ml allows measurement of the volume expansion coefficient of various liquids. | ||
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Gas Pressure-Temperature | ![]() | |
Determine relationship between gas pressure and temperature A brass sphere holds various gases. This sphere is immersed in a water bath. Pressure readings are taken from a circular gauge at equal temperature intervals. | ||
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Absolute Zero | ![]() | |
Find absolute zero by extrapolating pressure-temperature curve This experiment uses the same apparatus as the gas pressure-temperature experiment. Here, the x-intercept determines the estimated value of absolute zero from the behavior of several gases. | ||
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Specific Heat | ![]() | |
Measure specific heats of liquids A calorimeter holds measured quantities of different liquids. They are heated electrically to add know quantities of heat while measuring temperature. | ||
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Phase Change | ![]() | |
Measure specific heats of liquids Track temperature as different materials undergo phase changes. Illustrates that phase changes occur at relatively constanct temperatures. | ||
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Heat Transfer Series | ||
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Heat Conduction in Solids | ![]() | |
Rate of heat conduction in different solids Observe how rate changes with time and with material. | ||
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Parameters
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Hydraulics Series | ||
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Effect of water height on stream Hole in bottom of bottle allows students to follow effects of differing water height on distance that stream travels. | ||
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Parameters
Height | ||
Light Series | ||
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Light Reflection | ![]() | |
Angles of incidence and reflection Observe how angle of reflection changes with angle of incidence and other variables. | ||
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Parameters
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Nuclear Series | ||
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Photoelectric Effect | ![]() | |
Photoelectric current and stopping voltage Change intensity and wavelength of light on phototube. Track current against voltage. | ||
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Parameters
LEDs | ||
Periodic Motion Series | ||
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Spring Constant | ![]() | |
Determine spring constant of various spring combinations The concept of spring constant is explored here. Parallel and series spring arrangements are analyzed to test understanding. | ||
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Springs Moving Different Masses | ![]() | |
Observe period motion of springs with differing masses This experiment introduces periodic motion and looks at the effect of differing masses on the period of motion. The airtrack provides a basis for comprehension without the complication of gravity. | ||
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Springs and Conservation of Energy | ![]() | |
Observe the change between kinetic and potential energies This experiment provides visual confirmation of the conservation of energy. The movement of an oscillating mass on an airtrack is analyzed to calculate kinetic energy (½mv2) and potential energy (½kx2). These are taken as the dependent and independent variables on a graph to show that, over several cycles, their sum remains constant. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Plot | ||
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Pendulum with Different Masses | ![]() | |
Note effect of mass on pendulum period Use periodic motion analysis to obtain periods of a pendulum with only the pendulum bob material changing. The amplitude of the swing, the length of the pendulum, and the size of the bob all remain the same. A variety of materials ranging from cork to lead form the bobs. | ||
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Parameters Length Swing Angle | ||
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Note effect of length on pendulum period Keeping the mass constant, see how length affects period. Attempt to find a simple relationship between period and length. | ||
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Parameters Length Swing Angle | ||
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Pendulum Kinetic and Potential Energy | ![]() | |
Observe transformation between pendulum potential and kinetic energies Analyze the pendulum bob position to obtain its kinetic energy (½mv2) and its potential energy (mgh). These are taken as the dependent and independent variables on a graph to show that, over several cycles, their sum remains constant. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Length Swing Angle | ||
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Pendulum Investigation | ![]() | |
Students decide what to investigate Analyze the pendulum bob position to discover effects of length, mass, and amplitude. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Length Swing Angle | ||
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A study in moment of inertia Examine the effect of pivot position on the period of a right triangle made of wood. Also, build your own compound pendulum and do the same.. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
Projectiles Series | ||
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Horizontal Projectile Motion | ![]() | |
Analyze horizontal component of projection motion A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Observe that the horizontal speed of these projectiles is essentially constant. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
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Vertical Projectile Motion | ![]() | |
Analyze vertical component of projectile motion A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Observe that the vertical acceleration of these projectiles is essentially constant. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
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Projectile Motion with Varying Launch Force | ![]() | |
Analyze effect of launch force (energy) on projectile motion A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Observe how launch force affects height and distance of launched ball. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
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Projectile Motion with Varying Mass | ![]() | |
Analyze effect of projectile mass on projectile motion A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Observe how projectile mass affects height and distance of launched ball. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
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Projectile Motion with Varying Launch Angle | ![]() | |
Analyze effect of launch angle on projectile motion A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Observe how launch angle affects height and distance of launched ball. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
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Projectile Motion and Energy | ![]() | |
Measure and plot kinetic energy and potential energy of projectile A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Observe what happens to kinetic and potential energy as projectile traverses trajectory. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
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Projectile Motion Investigation | ![]() | |
Measure and plot trajectory of projectile A water balloon launcher stretched between volleyball poles provides the motive power for launching bocce balls. Investigate any aspect of the motion of a projectile. | ||
Goals
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Parameters
Launch Pullback Launch Angle | ||
Speed and Acceleration Series | ||
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Definition of Speed | ![]() | |
Analyze the meaning of "speed" Ensure thorough understanding of meaning of speed as viewed on a distance-time graph. How must distance and time be combined arithmetically to obtain speed? | ||
Goals
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Parameters Initial Speed | ||
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Acceleration | ![]() | |
Observe and measure acceleration The acceleration of the Earth's gravity provides the backdrop for this investigation. Note that speed changes with time. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Mass of Fallng Objects | ![]() | |
Effect of mass on freefall Observe the effect of mass and size of acceleration rate in freefall. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Gravity and Speed | ![]() | |
Observing speed during freefall Observe speeds and how they change in freefall. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Ramp and Mass | ![]() | |
Different masses travel down a ramp A model train car rolls down a ramp. The car may be empty or be carrying a plastic, aluminum, or iron cylinder. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle off Floor (degrees) | ||
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Ramp and Speed | ![]() | |
Different masses travel down a ramp A model train car rolls down a ramp. The car may be empty or be carrying a plastic, aluminum, or iron cylinder. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle off Floor (degrees) | ||
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Ramp Angle | ![]() | |
The effect of acceleration Varying the ramp angle changes the acceleration of the model train car. Characterize this change. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle off Floor (degrees) | ||
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Friction and Motion | ![]() | |
The effect of force, weight, and surface on acceleration Observe acceleration as accelerating force, weight of object, and object surface change. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Sliding Surface Weight | ||
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Sliding Masses | ![]() | |
Observe how parameters affect sliding acceleration Unbalanced forces result in acceleration. Analyze effect of angle, mass, and surface on sliding acceleration. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Base Angle off Floor | ||
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Rolling Masses | ![]() | |
Observe how parameters affect rolling acceleration Unbalanced forces result in acceleration. Analyze effect of angle and cylinder thickness on rolling acceleration. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle off Floor | ||
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Observe how parameters affect rotation period Design experiment; measure change in angle with mass, string length, and period. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Mass | ||
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Changes in Acceleration | ![]() | |
Observe light objects in freefall What happens to acceleration as very light objects fall? | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Terminal Speed | ![]() | |
Measure terminal speed of falling objects This experiment looks at initial and final speed of very light falling objects. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Atwood Machine | ![]() | |
Measure acceleration of Atwood machine Discover F=ma and/or measure "diluted" acceleration of gravity. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Difference | ||
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Power | ![]() | |
Investigate your own wrist power How weight and dowel diameter affect power using a "wrist winch" to raise weights. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Dowel Diameter | ||
Work-Energy Theorem | ![]() | |
Measuring work and kinetic energy Measure acceleration on slanted airtrack; convert to K.E. and campare with work done. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Height at 100cm | ||
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Waves Series | ||
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Wavelength and Speed | ![]() | |
Measure both wavelength and speed Measuring both wavelength and speed for the each frequency establishes the relationships among speed, frequency, wavelength, and period. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Measurement | ||
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Reflection and Frequency | ![]() | |
Determine effect of frequency on reflection Observe reflection of water waves and note effect of frequency. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle | ||
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Reflection and Barrier Angle | ![]() | |
Determine effect of angle on reflection Vary the angle of incidence to estimate the effect on angle of reflection. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle of Barrier | ||
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Depth and Speed | ![]() | |
Determine effect of depth on speed Changing the depth of the water affects wave speed. This experiment does not provide precise values for water depth. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Depth | ||
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Depth and Refraction | ![]() | |
Observe effect on depth on refraction Having found the speed based on depth, see how angular depth change bends waves. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Angle of refractor | ||
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Diffraction | ![]() | |
Measure diffraction change with frequency and gap size Observe how the waveform expands from gap. Measure angle of edge of waveform. Relate to gap size and wavelength. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Frequency | ||
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Interference | ![]() | |
Measure interference change with frequency Note the interference pattern for a pair of wave sources close to each other. Measure the angle of the interference ray and how it changes with wavelength and with generator separation. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Generator separation | ||
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Resonance | ![]() | |
Analyze resonant chamber Look at a resonant chamber in water. Estimate the resonant frequency and the size of the chamber. See if a simple relationship applies. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Frequency | ||
Sound Series | ||
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Intensity and Distance | ![]() | |
Intensity dependence on distance Measure the change in sound volume as distance changes for a number of different frequencies. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Pitch | ![]() | |
Relation between pitch, frequency and period Establish some basics of sound. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Resonance and Frequency | ![]() | |
Resonant cavities Determine the fundamental resonant frequency for open tubes of various lengths. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Speed of Sound | ![]() | |
Use resonance to measure speed of sound Knowing the tube length and fundamental harmonic frequency, you can determine the speed of sound. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Direct Speed of Sound | ![]() | |
Use delay time to measure speed of sound Two microphones pick up a sharp sound. The distance between the microphones and the delay between their recording of the sound allows a direct determination of the speed of sound. The microphones are one meter apart. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Frequency | ||
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Resonant Harmonics | ![]() | |
Measure harmonics for resonant cavities Look into the resonant harmonics above the fundamental. Determine the formula for the harmonics of an open tube. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Beats | ![]() | |
Measure beat frequencies Hear and see the effect of beats. Measure the beat frequency to develop a formula relating the beat frequency with the two frequencies that create it. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Second frequency | ||
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Moving Sound | ![]() | |
Analyze Doppler effect Using several sounds such as a passing truck, a passing airplane, a passing car, etc., understand the Doppler effect qualititatively and quantitatively. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Doppler Effect | ![]() | |
Analyze Doppler effect Measure period of passing car's horn at different speeds. Relate speed to change in period and frequency. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Direction | ||
Statics Series | ||
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Weighing Objects | ![]() | |
Distance dependence on weight Measure the change in length as mass increases for different scales. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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Density | ![]() | |
Density of many materials Determine how mass and volume affect density. | ||
Goals
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Parameters | ||
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First Class Lever | ![]() | |
Force dependence on weight and position Determine how weight and position affect force in a first class lever. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Scale distance | ||
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Second Class Lever | ![]() | |
Force dependence on weight and position Determine how weight and position affect force in a second class lever. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Scale distance | ||
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Third Class Lever | ![]() | |
Force dependence on weight and position Determine how weight and position affect force in a third class lever. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Scale distance | ||
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Inclined Plane | ![]() | |
Force dependence on weight and ramp angle Determine how weight and angle affect force in an inclined plane. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Ramp height | ||
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Pulleys | ![]() | |
Force dependence on weight and number of pulleys Determine how weight and pulley arrangement affect force. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Arrangement | ||
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Buoyancy | ![]() | |
Volume displacement and weight for different liquids Determine how liquid density and cylinder mass affect displacement. | ||
Goals
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Parameters Capacity | ||
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