Labs

The Density Rod Set consists of two rods. The aluminum rod sinks in warm water and floats in cool. This is because cool water is more dense than warm, and the aluminum rod is made to be between those two densities. The PVC rod does the reverse – floats in warm water and sinks in [...]

Indirect Measurement Lab
Something that is quantized exists in multiples of a set quantity. Examples are charge [1.6 x 10-19C] or quantum energies of photons. Planck and Einstein predicted that light existed as discrete bundles called photons. Since they could not see a unit of photon energy, this lab constructs a model of how quanta was [...]

Quantum Measurement Lab
Something that is quantized exists in multiples of a set quantity. Examples are charge [1.6 x 10-19C] or quantum energies of photons. Planck and Einstein predicted that light existed as discrete bundles called photons. Since they could not see a unit of photon energy, this lab constructs a model of how quanta was [...]

Picture of a Lab – Different Graph TypesStation #1 investigates the relationship between force and displacement of a stretched spring. Students will discover a direct linear relationship, with an equation of the form y = mx + b. Station #2 demonstrates Boyle’s Law, or the relationship between the pressure on a gas and its volume [...]

Regular and irregular objects will be used. Students will devise a way of finding the volume of each object - calculating the volume of a cube or using water displacement for irregular objects. They will calculate the density of each and compare to standard values.
Required Equipment
Density Blocks, Balance, Graduated Cylinder, Various objects.
Download Teacher Notes and [...]

Measure the mass and volume of a quantity of liquid, and calculate its density. Students will have to account for the container's mass.

Students love fast moving experiments, but higher speeds often require higher technology. That can challenge the budget and students' ability to use the technology. These simple, but highly accurate photogates remove both barriers. No costly computers are needed, and set up is easy. Students literally ‘get up to speed’ fast!

We will use funnels, soda bottles, and a toy called a Tornado Tube to explore the concepts of moment of inertia, rotational motion, angular momentum, kinetic and potential energy, and air pressure in an attempt to discover and explain the physics of a rather complex hydrodynamic system.

Tuning Fork Interference   Two waves, when traveling through the same medium, will superimpose upon one another, causing interference. In the case of sound, the two sounds will combine to form a single sound. This lab asks students to combine the sounds from two tuning forks (which each produces a simple sine wave vibration) and observe the [...]

Students investigate properties of mechanical waves using a "slinky" spring: wavelength, speed, reflection, standing waves, interference.

Good for grade levels 5 through 8

Required Equipment
Super Springy, Stopwatch, String, Masking Tape, Helical Spring

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dwight "Buzz" Putnam for his assistance in developing this lab. Buzz is a 25 year veteran physics teacher at Whitesboro High School, New [...]