Lab Activities
Lab #23.5 Heat: Warming by Freezing
In this activity, students will demonstrate that heat is released when freezing occurs.
Lab #23.5 Heat: Warming by Freezing
In this activity, students will demonstrate that heat is released when freezing occurs.
Lab #23.4 Heat: Cooling by Boiling
In this activity, students will see that water will boil when pressure is lowered.
Lab #23.4 Heat: Cooling by Boiling
In this activity, students will see that water will boil when pressure is lowered.
Stable Mates Inquiry
Students will determine how their set of magnetic marbles work and rest the stability of structures
Stable Mates Inquiry
Students will determine how their set of magnetic marbles work and rest the stability of structures
Specific Heat Inquiry
Students will develop their comprehension of thermodynamics, specifically thermal equilibrium, by mixing liquids with different temperatures.
Specific Heat Inquiry
Students will develop their comprehension of thermodynamics, specifically thermal equilibrium, by mixing liquids with different temperatures.
Lab #22.8 Heat: Chapter 22 I'm Melting! I'm Melting!
In this activity, students will investigate curious heat transfer ability of different surfaces.
Lab #22.8 Heat: Chapter 22 I'm Melting! I'm Melting!
In this activity, students will investigate curious heat transfer ability of different surfaces.
Range of a Horizontal Projectile
Students will hypothesize a marble's exit velocity and discover how potential energy is converted into rolling energy.
Range of a Horizontal Projectile
Students will hypothesize a marble's exit velocity and discover how potential energy is converted into rolling energy.
Lab #22.5 Heat: Chapter 22 Canned Heat: Heating Up
In this experiment, students will compare the ability of different surfaces to absorb thermal radiation.
Lab #22.5 Heat: Chapter 22 Canned Heat: Heating Up
In this experiment, students will compare the ability of different surfaces to absorb thermal radiation.
Lab #22.4 Heat: Chapter 22 Canned Heat: Cooling Down
In this experiment, students will compare the ability of different surfaces to radiate thermal energy.
Lab #22.4 Heat: Chapter 22 Canned Heat: Cooling Down
In this experiment, students will compare the ability of different surfaces to radiate thermal energy.
Lab #21.1 Heat: Chapter 21 Dance of the Molecules
In this activity, you will investigate the difference between hot water and cold water—on the molecular level.
Lab #21.1 Heat: Chapter 21 Dance of the Molecules
In this activity, you will investigate the difference between hot water and cold water—on the molecular level.
Reflection & Refraction
Students use the Laser Ray Box and trapezoidal lucite block to find situations that result in total internal reflection.
Reflection & Refraction
Students use the Laser Ray Box and trapezoidal lucite block to find situations that result in total internal reflection.
Magnetic Fields Around Magnets
Students will make observations of bar and horseshoe magnets, using iron filings or magnetic chips to map the field.
Magnetic Fields Around Magnets
Students will make observations of bar and horseshoe magnets, using iron filings or magnetic chips to map the field.
Motion on an Inclined Air Track
In this lab using an air track and two photogates, students will calculate the acceleration of a glider sliding on an incline, and calculate the force that caused the acceleration.
Motion on an Inclined Air Track
In this lab using an air track and two photogates, students will calculate the acceleration of a glider sliding on an incline, and calculate the force that caused the acceleration.
Magnetic Fields Inquiry
Students will observe the curved field lines around a permanent magnet, and explore how field strength varies with distance.
Magnetic Fields Inquiry
Students will observe the curved field lines around a permanent magnet, and explore how field strength varies with distance.
Alka Seltzer Rockets
Students will identify properties of gases by building up pressure in a closed object.
Alka Seltzer Rockets
Students will identify properties of gases by building up pressure in a closed object.
The Real Simple Motor
The World's Even More Simple Motor How it Works … This simple Homopolar Motor shows how moving charges (an electric current) experience a force when they move through a magnetic field. When the wire is in place, current flows from the battery's positive terminal, through the wire, radially through the magnet, and into the battery's negative terminal. The direction of the force is perpendicular to both the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic field, as demonstrated by the Left Hand Rule. The magnetic field is vertical, relative to the table. The current is radially inward at the lower point of contact, toward the center of the battery. The resulting force on the current-carrying wire is tangential. The tangential force, or torque, causes the wire to rotate. Note that only one connection to the magnet is necessary for the motion to occur. Creating two connections doubles the resulting force, creating a faster spin. Try bending the wire into different shapes, such as a spiral that rests one end on the positive terminal and curls around the battery. FAQ's Can I use any size wire? Any copper wire that holds its shape will work, but thicker wire is better for two reasons. First, it his heavier and less likely to flip out of place. Secondly, thicker wire has lower internal resistance and will not get as hot after conducting electricity. Will ceramic disk magnets work? No. The magnet must be made of a conducting material. Will it spin faster if I use a bigger battery (or more batteries)? Probably not, but it might last longer. I've seen other versions without washers. What is the purpose of the washers? Al Gibson (Rochester Adams High School, retired) told us about the washers. The bottom one adds stability, and the top ones keep the wire from sliding off. You can try it without them. What does Homopolar mean? This motor is homopolar because there is no change of polarity in the wire. The Worlds Simplest Motor ?, by comparison, interrupts the current (and the magnetic field) every half-turn. More efficient motors employ a commutator, which reverses the coil's polarity with every half-turn. Where can I get the parts? Right here! Required Equipment
The Real Simple Motor
The World's Even More Simple Motor How it Works … This simple Homopolar Motor shows how moving charges (an electric current) experience a force when they move through a magnetic field. When the wire is in place, current flows from the battery's positive terminal, through the wire, radially through the magnet, and into the battery's negative terminal. The direction of the force is perpendicular to both the direction of the current and the direction of the magnetic field, as demonstrated by the Left Hand Rule. The magnetic field is vertical, relative to the table. The current is radially inward at the lower point of contact, toward the center of the battery. The resulting force on the current-carrying wire is tangential. The tangential force, or torque, causes the wire to rotate. Note that only one connection to the magnet is necessary for the motion to occur. Creating two connections doubles the resulting force, creating a faster spin. Try bending the wire into different shapes, such as a spiral that rests one end on the positive terminal and curls around the battery. FAQ's Can I use any size wire? Any copper wire that holds its shape will work, but thicker wire is better for two reasons. First, it his heavier and less likely to flip out of place. Secondly, thicker wire has lower internal resistance and will not get as hot after conducting electricity. Will ceramic disk magnets work? No. The magnet must be made of a conducting material. Will it spin faster if I use a bigger battery (or more batteries)? Probably not, but it might last longer. I've seen other versions without washers. What is the purpose of the washers? Al Gibson (Rochester Adams High School, retired) told us about the washers. The bottom one adds stability, and the top ones keep the wire from sliding off. You can try it without them. What does Homopolar mean? This motor is homopolar because there is no change of polarity in the wire. The Worlds Simplest Motor ?, by comparison, interrupts the current (and the magnetic field) every half-turn. More efficient motors employ a commutator, which reverses the coil's polarity with every half-turn. Where can I get the parts? Right here! Required Equipment
Spark Timer Motion
Students will use a spark timer to record the motion of two toy cars.
Spark Timer Motion
Students will use a spark timer to record the motion of two toy cars.