Refraction of Light
How does light refract at a boundary? What is the index of refraction of water? Refraction may change the direction of light rays passing from one medium...
Creating Real and Virtual Images with Lenses
What is the difference between real and virtual images? How can you create real and virtual images...
Image Formation for a Convex Lens
How does a convex lens form an image? How do you measure the focal length of a lens? Light travels in straight lines unless an optical device—such as...
Build a Microscope and a Telescope
How do a microscope and telescope work? The basic microscope and telescope are each a compound optical device that uses two lenses. The object is imaged...
Phosphorescence
What property of light is required to cause a material to phosphoresce? Glow-in-the-dark plastic may seem like a toy, but it has powerful physics embedded...
Three Point Bending
In this lab, a Three-Point Bend test is performed on a round rod. The distance between the anvils is varied, and the resulting effect on the stiffness...
Forces in Equilibrium
In this lab, students first compare forces created from weights hanging from a load cell. Then, students will construct simple bridges, add weights, and...
Internal Forces
In Part 1, students learn how to measure tension and compression using a load cell and beams. In Part 2, students construct a bridge, then, study tension...
Moments in Equilibrium
In this lab, students construct a bridge to explore moments in equilibrium. Students will move weights across their structure, measure reaction forces,...
Strength of Members
In this lab, students use a force sensor to study the force limits of samples varying in length and thickness. Students will analyze the impacts of compression...
Copyright Disclaimer: Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 makes allowance for “fair use” for purposes of teaching, scholarship, education and research. Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written consent of PASCO, is prohibited.