In this learning episode from the Institute of Physics, students investigate and characterise the exponential discharge of a capacitor.

Activities include:
• looking at exponential discharge
•...

From the Institute of Physics, this learning episode looks at energy stored in capacitors and springs as well as the comparison between radioactive decay and a capacitor's discharge. It allows students to explore the concepts of energy storage and exponential decrease...

From the Institute of Physics, this topic builds up an understanding of the conditions needed for an object to be in equilibrium. The first episode develops ideas about vector and scalar quantities; these are equally relevant to quantities other than forces. The learning episodes in this topic include:

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In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students discuss, examine and enhance their understanding of scalars and vectors. For some students this will be a revision session whilst others may be less familiar with the concepts. The topics examined include: * defining scalar and vector quantities *...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode contains demonstrations and practical activities through which students learn about the conditions for static equilibrium (excluding moments of forces).

Students look at:
• forces on a horizontal washing line with a weight in the middle...

This learning episode from the Institute of Physics, uses discussion and experimental work to help students investigate the application of moments beyond the simple 'see-saw' model.

Activities lead to an application of moments to general equilibrium situations.

Students look at:
* moments and...

In this topic, from the Institute of Physics, students learn to describe motion in terms of displacement, velocity, acceleration and time. There is only a limited discussion of the forces involved as kinematics is concerned with describing motion, while dynamics is concerned with explaining motion in terms of the...

From the Institute of Physics, this episode introduces (or revises) the equations of motion. During a practical task, students undertake direct measurements to ensure that they understand the basic physics of velocity, distance and time.

Activities help students to understand:
• scalars and vectors,...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at basic kinematics and introduces the equations of motion for uniform acceleration. It involves practicing calculations and compares uniform with non-uniform acceleration.

Activities look at:
• non-uniform acceleration down a ramp
•...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at the independence of vertical and horizontal motion. The crucial concept is that vertical acceleration does not affect horizontal velocity. This explains all projectile motion. There are a range of activities which include: • demonstrating and discussing...

From the Institute of Physics, this topic concerns resistive forces against motion. It begins by considering drag forces in general before shifting the focus to air resistance. Students look at the forces such as up-thrust, drag, air resistance and terminal velocity. Following the topic, students should be able to...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode considers the forces acting on a falling body in air and moves on to related experimental work.

The activities include:
• demonstrating the motion of...

In these materials from the Institute of Physics, students revise the laws of motion and investigate the relationship between force and acceleration.

There are two learning episodes in this topic:

Episode 211: Newton’s second law of motion

Episode 212:...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode explores Newton’s second law, F = ma. Using simple apparatus, students investigate this law and critically consider the limits of the experiment.

The...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, in this learning episode students discuss Newton's third law and use examples to clarify their understanding of its application.

The activities in this learning episode include:
* discussing Newton's third law
* understanding force pairs
* examining...