Physics Online Experiments

Inclining Gravity -- This experiment uses a DataStudio Electronic Workbook. For a cart rolling down an inclined track, students determine the effect of the mass of the cart and the angle of the incline on the motion of the cart. In addition, students analyze the slope of a position-time graph and the slope of a velocity-time graph. Finally, students analyze the area of a velocity-time graph. (April 2007)

Motion Challenge -- Students match given position v. time data, then create corresponding velocity v. time and acceleration v. time graphs. Similarly, they create velocity v. time and position v. time graphs from a graph of acceleration v. time. (September 2004)

Playground Physics -- Students use their experimental data to analyze the physics of playground equipment. (March 2004)

William Tell Challenge -- Use experimental data and theoretical calculations to hit a target using a projectile launcher. (January 2004)

Dropping Ball -- Determine and compare the acceleration due to gravity for several balls. (October 2003)

Motion Match -- Model and make quantitative observations for several position versus time graphs. (September 2003)

I'm a Fan of Acceleration -- Predict the acceleration of a fan cart. (November 2002)

What's My Motion? -- Predict the motion of a car from different graphs. (September 2002)

Relative Motion -- Relative motion and frames of reference using a motion sensor. (May 2001)

Air Resistance -- Determine the drag coefficient of coffee filters. (May 2007)

Coefficient of Kinetic Friction -- Determine the coefficient of kinetic friction for an object on an incline. (January 2005)

Newton's Incline -- Analyze the relationship between the angle of an incline and the Normal and Parallel forces of an object on the incline. Derive Newton's Second Law. (October 2004)

Egg Stamper -- Use experimental data and theoretical calculations to stamp an egg with a mass suspended by a spring. (February 2004)

Dropping Ball -- Determine and compare the acceleration due to gravity for several balls. (October 2003)

Hooked on Springs -- Develop a relationship between force and displacement of a spring. (January 2003)

Newton's 2nd -- Experimentally determine Newton's 2nd Law. (October 2002)

Sliding Friction and Working -- Relationship between the force of sliding friction and the working on a sliding object. (November 2001)

Kinetic Energy and Applied Forces -- Relationship between an applied force and the kinetic energy of a car accelerating on a track. (October 2001)

Weight vs. Mass -- Relationship between an object's weight and its mass using a force sensor. (September 2001)

Slip Sliding Away -- Static frictional force and normal force. (March 2001)

Conservation of Energy -- Determine the relationship between the elastic potential energy of a spring and the rotational energy of several objects connected to the spring. (February 2005)

Inclined to Conserve -- Develop a relationship between kinetic and potential energy. (December 2002)

The Power of Energy -- Relationship between the energy change of a system and the time over which this change takes place. (December 2001)

Sliding Friction and Working -- Relationship between the force of sliding friction and the working on a sliding object. (November 2001)

Kinetic Energy and Applied Forces -- Relationship between an applied force and the kinetic energy of a car accelerating on a track. (October 2001)

Stomp Rocket -- Analyze the relationship between the change in momentum and impulse for a stomp rocket. (November 2004)

Air Bag Collision Competition -- Determine the impulse of collisions with different "air bags" that they create themselves. (November 2003)

Momentum -- Develop a relationship between the initial and final momentum for carts involved in collisions. (February 2003)

Collisions -- Discover the purpose of an air bag during a collision. (March 2002)

Impulsivity -- The impulse concept and its relationship to momentum. (January 2002)

Three Balls Discrepant Event -- Students solve a discrepant event involving three balls on an incline. (February 2006)

Uniform Circular Motion -- Discover the relationship between centripetal acceleration and distance from the axis of rotation. (May 2002)

Period of a Spring -- Find the relationship between the period and mass of a spring for small oscillations. (February 2007)

Wave Speed -- In this experiment, students determine the speed of sound from the frequencies and wavelengths that resonate in an open tube. (March 2005)

Sound: Creating and Analyzing with WAVEPORT -- Students create and analyze sounds with DataStudio's powerful, built-in sound program, WAVEPORT. (April 2004)

Light Intensity -- Develop a relationship between light intensity and distance from a point source and a line source. (April 2003)

RC Time Constant for Measuring Instruments -- Observe the discharge of a capacitor by measuring the time constant (T=RC) and experience the effect of different meters as discharge loads. (March 2008)

Transformer -- Determine the relationship between the voltage, current, and power of the primary and secondary coils of a transformer. (May 2005)

Coupled Oscillator -- Make observations of a coupled oscillator. (May 2003)

Resistance is Futile! -- Develop a relationship between voltage and current. (March 2003)

Magnetic Fields -- Discover the characteristics of fields around magnetized materials. (April 2002)

Ohm's Law -- Voltage and current in a DC circuit. (April 2001)

Optics Lab Practical -- Determine the focal length of a lens and of a mirror. (March 2007)

Egg Stamper -- Use experimental data and theoretical calculations to stamp an egg with a mass suspended by a spring. (February 2004)

CSI: Physics -- Students use their experimental data and theoretical calculations to solve a mystery. (May 2004)