In this activity developed by the Institute of Physics, students model the motion of a planet around a star and investigate how day and night and seasons may be different on other planets. Working in pairs or small groups, students demonstrate night and day and seasons to each other. They can then go on to model...

A pair of videos that investigates the density of different materials.  The first allows students to see an experiment on the density of regular and irregular objects from home. The second part outlines the calculations used to work out the densities of cylinders of different materials. This is a required practical...

This video demonstrates an experiment to investigate how current affects the strength of a magnetic field. The Phyphox app on a mobile phone is used to measure the magnetic field strength. The second part explains how to plot a graph to evaluate the relationship between current and magnetic field strength. 

In this activity developed by the Institute of Physics, students use simple diffraction gratings to observe the spectra from different sources, and deduce how scientists can work out which chemicals are present in an exoplanet’s atmosphere. When an exoplanet passes in front of its star, some of the starlight is...

In this video independent and dependent variables are discussed, before experimenting with a trolley on an inclined ramp. The data is then graphed and analysed to investigate any relationship between ramp height and trolley speed. This is a GCSE Physics Practical.

A pair of videos that investigates the extension of a spring when forces are added.  The first allows students to see the experiment undertaken. This is a required practical for students to understand and be able to carry out for GCSE Combined Science and Physics. The second clip explains how to plot a graph to...

A pair of videos that investigates the extension of an elastic band when forces are added.  The first allows students to see the experiment undertaken and the second clip explains how to plot a graph to evaluate the relationship.

Extension of rubber

This video introduces permanent magnets, their fields and how to investigate them using iron filings. It also demonstrates the field between attracting and repelling magnets. 

These Fun-Size materials, from the Association for Science Education (ASE) are short 5-15 minute activities that enliven lessons. These are part of the SYCD AKA Science collection. They range from short games and word plays through to quick demonstrations. Fun-size is particularly useful when you are working...

A brief video outlining the different types of physics experiments and their functionality.