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...

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...

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...

In this learning episode from the Institute of Physics, students tackle practical work looking at the efficiency of a ramp to think of force as a mechanism by which energy is transferred from one body to another. The activities include: • discussing students' current understanding of force, gravity, energy and work...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at kinetic energy, work and velocity in relation to the braking distance of a vehicle. Two experiments are included, both of which connect work done in braking to the initial kinetic energy of the decelerating vehicle. The activities include: • discussion...

From the Institute of Physics, this resource is concerned with the conservation of mechanical energy and the principle in its wider context.

Students look at the meaning of power, undertake sample calculations and the measurement of human power.

Activities include:
• discussing the meaning of...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode introduces the concepts of momentum and its conservation. A series of activities include: • an introduction to the conservation of momentum • investigating the conservation of momentum • application of the conservation of momentum in simple cases •...

From the Institute of Physics, this learning episode extends the idea of conservation of momentum into elastic collisions, in which, because kinetic energy (KE) is conserved. Useful information can also be found by calculating the changes in KE of the colliding objects. The activities include: • introducing elastic...

In this learning episode from the Institute of Physics, students use Hooke's law to demonstrate the strength and stiffness of materials when subject to linear tensile or compressive forces. The activities include: • recap of Hooke's law • explaining tension and extension in a variety of materials • explaining...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, in this learning episode students measure the Young modulus. Through a range of discussions, questions and student investigations, activities look at: • defining the Young modulus • measuring the Young modulus of a material • measuring the stiffness of a material • stress-...

Through demonstrations and discussions, this learning episode from the Institute of Physics helps students to understand the main features of simple harmonic motion. This is in preparation to moving to a more mathematical description. Activities include: * observing simple harmonic motion (SHM) * discussing the...

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students use experimental techniques and modelling to investigate simple harmonic motion (SHM). The activities include discussions, practical investigations and worked examples, including: • linking Hooke's law and SHM • investigating a loaded spring...

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students investigate the simple harmonic motion of a pendulum. This involves discussion and student investigations. The activities include: • measuring the restoring force • investigating the time period of a pendulum • using a computer model of a pendulum •...

From the Institute of Physics, this learning episode will help students to see how energy moves from an oscillating system and how this results in a decrease in amplitude that follows an exponential decay pattern.

The activities include:
• observing water oscillating in a u-tube
• the motion of...