What's NEW at The Physics Classroom?

We've been at this task of providing students, teachers, and classrooms high-quality, ready-to-use resources for a long time. And we are as passionate about it now as we were 28 years ago when we started. We are always working on something new. But it is such a big website that the new additions often get nested deep inside of a section and are never noticed for months or even years after being published. So we're aiming to fix that problem with this page of announcements. Visit this page to find out about our most recent additions. And check back often in anticipation of finding new surprises.

 

March, 2024

March 18, 2024

Science Reasoning Center: Stoichiometry

Our newest Science Reasoning Center activity is now live. It is titled Stoichiometry and may represent a bit of a departure from the usual "here's the given, solve for an unknown" approach. Students will definitely be doing stoichiometric conversions but the calculated answer is not the end in itself. The goal of the math is to demonstrate in one way or another that atoms, and therefore mass is conserved in a chemical reaction. This five-part activity addresses performance expectation HS-PS1-7 of the Next Generation Science Standards. Check it out Chemistry teachers!
 
 


 

March 15, 2024

Physics Interactives - Ripple Tank Simulator

Tired of fussing with the ripple tank? Now you don't have to. Try our new Ripple Tank simulator.
 


 

March 14, 2024

Physics Interactives - 3D Field Mapping Student Activity

As is our custom, we have published a Student Activity sheet for use with our 3D Field Mapping simulation. The activity sheet provides students a guided experience with the simulation and is intended to highlight the relationship between electric field and electric potential.
 


 

March 12, 2024

Physics Interactives - 3D Field Mapping

A little dose of groovy (maybe even a big dose ... but who wants to over-state something) arrived at The Physics Classroom today. Check our our new simulation titled 3D Field Mapping. Drag a source charge (or a whole bunch of source charges) onto the work space. Electric lines of force and electric fields lines are plotted. The electric potential in the surrounding space is depicted in color and a "volt meter" allows you to measure the electric potential at any location. Then put on your Groovy cap and tap on the Go to 3D View. Now you don't have to Google "meaning of groovy"; you're looking at the definition of it when you view the 3-dimensional electric potential map. A student exercise is being written. Thanks to Chris Bruce of Nerd Island Studios for the sim.
 


 

March 11, 2024

Science Reasoning Center: Reaction Rates

We continue to make strides towards "completion" of our Science Reasoning Center. One of our goals is to provide reasonably full coverage of the Next Generation Science Standards. We are currently working on HS-PS1 performance expectations. Most teachers equate these topics with Chemistry. We have released a new activity on the topic of Reaction Rates that addresses HS-PS1-5. Check it out Chemistry teachers!
 
 


 

March 8, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

There have been a few more Version 2 upgrades to Task Tracker. Task Tracker users will now note that there are three Quick Navigation links on every Class page that allow you to navigate from your Period 1 Physics class (as a for instance) directly to your Period 2 Physics class. We saved you a click; your time is important. And we have added some hyperlinks from the names of tasks as they display on your Task Table to the actual task. Not sure what the task involves? Tap the link and quickly find out. And we have done the same thing for Task names that display in returned search results when searching for tasks to make assignments out of. 

Not using Version 2? It's probably time to switch over. It's perfectly safe and very stable.

 


 

March 7, 2024

The Store is Open for 2024-25 Purchases

Many schools are working on budgets for 2024-25. Others have asked to place orders early so that they can use a stash of cash that has a deadline associated with. So we have opened the Store to make orders for the 2024-25 subscription years. If you need to place an order for a Task Tracker subscription for the upcoming school year, you can now do so. When you place the order, you must tap a radio button to indicate which year the purchase is for.
 
 


 

March 6, 2024

Science Reasoning Center: The Ammonia Factory

Hey Chemistry Teachers! We have a new resource for you in our Science Reasoning Center. It is named the Ammonia Factory and its pretty awesome (admittedly, our own opinion). It coordinates with our Ammonia Factory Simulation that we released last week. This new Science Reasoning Center activity aligns with HS-PS1-6 and HS-ETS1-4 performance expectations of the NGSS. This is our fourth Chemistry activity in the Science Reasoning Center and we definitely have more planed for the next few months.
 
 


 

March 5, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

Task Tracker teachers will appreciate today's Version 2 update. For some time, teachers have been able to tap on a students name in their class roster and view that student's Personal Progress page. It is a useful means to get info for a single student and to customize or over-ride scores or due dates. The page can become a bit of a mess, especially when there are a lot of assignments. The mess has now been tidied up and a collection of new features allow you to find what you need quickly! You will note three filters at the top of the Personal Progress table - a Category (topic) filter, a Task Type filter, and a Task Name filter. These allow you to isolate a select number of tasks from a large collection. In addition to filters, we've added the capability to quickly sort a lengthy list of tasks by tapping on column headings - by task name, by task type, by category (topic), by dye date, etc. - in ascending or descending order. For multi-part tasks, you can tap on the Show button to show details about the parts of that specific task. And finally, a tap on the task name opens that task (except for CalcPad tasks).
 
 


 

March 4, 2024

Hit the Target Simulation

Our Hit the Target simulation has been revised to include Task Tracker compatibility. Teachers with Task Tracker subscriptions can now include it as an assignment for their students. Students' work will be saved; they can leave the page, return, and continue where they left off. Teachers can customize the task by removing one or more of the nine problems so that they are not part of their students' experience. Students' progress and scores are viewable by teachers in Task Tracker. The Guest experience has not changed.
 


 

March 1, 2024

The Ammonia Factory Simulation - Student Activity Sheet

Teachers are busy. Exclamation point. We've been there. We get it. And years of experience has taught us that a simulation will be most used if it is accompanied by a student activity sheet. When the incorporation of the simulation into a teacher lesson plan is as turn-key as can be, that activity will be used. Yesterday, we published our first Chemistry simulation - The Ammonia Factory - and today we have published the Student Activity Sheet to accompany it. The simulation and accompanying activity sheet have a strong engineering design emphasis. Next week, we will have another goodie. Stay tuned.
 


 

Friday Fixes

We have done some site maintenance and repairs this week. The following changes/improvements/fixes have been made:
 
  • Minds On Physics, Circular Motion, Mission CG1
    Two questions in one of the Question Group were keyed incorrectly. The key has been fixed and corrections are now live. The questions pertainted to identifying the direction of the velocity vector at the 3-o'clock and the 6-o'clock positions on a diagram.
  • Balance Beam Concept Checker
    The help link for the Balance Beam Concept Checker was broken. This has been fixed. Version 1.1 has the fix.
  • Reduction Potential Concept Builder
    The Reduction Potential activity in the Chemistry section of Concept Builders referenced a Table of Standard Reduction Potentials. The link to it from several locations was broken. The link is now fixed and the corrections are live.
 

 

 

February, 2024

Febuary 29, 2024

The Ammonia Factory Simulation

We completed one of our first Chemistry Interactives - The Ammonia Factory. This simulation provides students an opportunity to run the operation of an ammonia production facility. They modify design parameters and observe the impact upon percent yield, ammonia production, and daily profits. The simulation and Student Activity Sheet (to be released very soon) align closely with a number of Next Generation Science Standards. These are described in great detail on the Teacher Notes page.
 


 

Febuary 28, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

Hey all Task Tracker users. We have a new Version 2 update available. We are calling it "Mass Cloning" and it specifically addresses the need of teachers to create several assignments for one section and then quickly clone those assignments to other sections. On your Classes page, tap the checkboxes to the left of all assigned tasks that you wish to clone. Once one or more tasks are checked, the blue Mass Clone Selected Tasks will be enabled. Tap the button and a pop-up window appears. Select the destination classes (the classes to which you wish to clone the selected tasks). A green check and red X will appear next to each assigned task indicating if cloning is possible. (Cloning would be prohibited if the particular task already exists in the destination class or if the task type is not enabled for the particular class.) Once you are satisfied, tap on the Clone button and the selected tasks will be added to your other sections.

Task cloning has been around for a while. But "Quick" is the operative word that describes this new feature. Whereas the previous task cloning feature allowed one to clone a single task to a single class, this new feature allows you to clone multiple tasks to multiple classes. Quick is slick!
 


 

Febuary 23, 2024

Two Stage Rocket Simulation

Our Two-Stage Rocket simulation has been around for a while. The simulation provides a built-in "quiz" with 22 questions. For some time, we have wanted to add Task Tracker functionality to the quiz. This was difficult because it was written in a different code-base than most our other Task Tracker tools. We have completed a rewrite of the simulation and have added Task Tracker compatibility to the quiz. Teachers with Task Tracker accounts can customize the quiz by removing questions; see the Teacher Resources section for a listing of questions by question number.




 

Febuary 21, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

Task Tracker users have another groovy feature awaiting them. Our Version 2 lists all assigned tasks for a class in a table on the Class page. Tapping on table columns will sort all tasks according to data in that column. So you can sort your tasks in ascending or descending order by Topic (e.g., Kinematics), by Task Type (e.g., Concept Builders), by Date First Visible, and by Due Date. You can also use the Topic filters and the Task Type filter to only display those tasks that match your filters. The problem has been that if you leave the page or close down the browser, you have to re-create your sorting and filtering when you return to the Class page.

That problem has now been solved. The sorts and filter features now have a memory associated with them. When you return to the page, it will appear just as you left it. So if you're teaching electrostatics, you only need to display electrostatics tasks. And what's even "groovier", is that you can have different settings saved for different classes. Let us hear everyone say "Groovy"!

NOTE: The settings you select for a class are stored in local storage for the browser you're working on. So switching browsers or switching devices will result in the need to re-create the settings for that combination of browser and device. It's a handy feature.
 


 

Febuary 15, 2024

Concept Builder - Bernoulli's Principle

We have completed our seventh Concept Builder on the topic of Fluids. The topic is Bernoulli's principle. The Concept Builder requires that students combine the use of Bernoulli's principle and the principle of continuity in order to analyze a variety of fluid flow phenomenon. There are 38 total questions that are organized into 16 different Question Groups and spread across three Activities. While we may do a final Concept Builder on viscosity at a later time, we are currently considering this topic to be complete. 




 

Febuary 14, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

Version 2 of Task Tracker just got a little bit better today with a couple of updates:
  • We added in two Quick Navigation buttons on every Task page. When viewing a task under a particular category, you can now navigate directly to other assigned tasks in that category. And you can navigate directly to the same task in other classes if that task has been assigned or navigate directly to the Class page for any existing class.
  • Version 2 allows you to search for tasks by category (e.g., Newton's Laws category). Our category listing listed every category with Chemistry and Physics intermingled. We have now organized all the Physics categories into one grouping and all the Chemistry categories into a second grouping, making it a bit easier to find what you need. And as a heads-up, you can alway begin typing into the Category filter field (like "Newt...") and Task Tracker will begin filtering as you type.
We still have more goodies under development. Stop back next week to be amazed.


 

Febuary 13, 2024

Activity Sheet for Two-Point Source Interference Patterns Simulation

We have completed the Student Activity sheet for the Two-Point Source Interference Patterns simulation. The activity sheet provides guidance to students as they proceed through each part of the simulation. 


 

Concept Checker for Two-Point Source Interference Patterns Simulation

In the past couple of years, we have been accompanying simulations with Concept Checkers. Our most recent simulation now has a companion Concept Checker. Do the sim with the activity sheet and follow it up wit a Concept Checker.



 

Febuary 12, 2024

Two-Point Source Interference Patterns Simulation

We have completed and uploaded a new simulation on the topic of two-point source interference patterns. The simulation consists of three parts:
  1. Tutorial: a built-in Tutorial explaining nodes, antinodes, the patterns of nodal and antinodal lines, wavelength, source separation distance, and path difference.
  2. DIY Patterns: students change the wavelength and the source separation distance and observe the effect upon the pattern.
  3. Path Difference: students collect data in an effort to derive from the data an equation relating the path difference to the wavelength for nodal and antinodal lines.
We will have a student activity sheet and a Concept Checker available for the simulation by the end of the week.



 

Febuary 8, 2024

Calculator Pad - Electromagnetism

We have completed our final five CalcPad problem sets for the topic of electromagnetism. This gives us a total of 12 problem sets and about 60 multi-part problems. The problems are geared for AP Physics 2 students and require an extensive analysis of each situation.


 

Febuary 7, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

Our Version 2 of Task Tracker gets near-daily attention. We are still fixing small bugs and oddities and implementing new features and improvements.  The following was fixed today:
  • Tapping the view icon next to a students name on the roster opens a page with a table of Personal Progress for that student. There are now three means to navigate quickly to other students. There is the Previous Student and the Next Student button that allows you to navigate to adjacent students on the roster. And there is a drop-down field in which you can select any student on the roster. The two buttons were previously absent on Version 2 and the drop down field was previously not working. All is now good!
  • There were several tasks that did not have associated categories and did not show up when searching by category. These were mostly CalcPad Problem Sets for Fluids and Rotation and Torque. All has been fixed.
  • There were some test files (aka, garbage) that sneaked up from our test server to the live server. The garbage has been taken out.
We have some more goodies under development. Stay tuned.


 

Febuary 6, 2024

There have been two small updates to the site today. They include

Pressure-Volume Concept Builder
A previous version of this Concept Builder included Help Me! links that linked to the wrong pages. This has been fixed. Versio 2.2.1 has the fix.

Mass Spectrometer Simulation
The Mass Spectrometer simulation uploaded last week has received a couple of tweeks and small bug fixes.



 

Febuary 5, 2024

Concept Builder - Flow Velocity

Our sixth Concept Builder on the topic of Fluids is now live. The questions target students' understanding of the law of conservation of mass, volumetric flow rate, and the relationship between cross-sectional area and flow velocity. There are three activities with 44 total questions organized into 12 question groups. This is a new topic for us and represents our continued effort to extend our coverage to topics not traditionally addressed on the site.




 

Febuary 2, 2024

New Simulation: Mass Spectrometer

Over the past year, we have been adding resources on the topic of magnetism and electromagnetism. We just added one more today to our Physics Interactives section. Our new Mass Spectrometer simulation allows students to explore the inner workings of a Bainbridge Mass Spectrometer. We owe a thanks to Physics teacher Martin Kirby who has contributed several sims to our Physics Interactives section. Other sims by Martin can be found here.




 

Febuary 1, 2024

Concept Builder - Pascal's Principal

Our fifth of a proposed eight Concept Builders for our new Fluids section is now live. The topic is Pascal's Principle. The activity focuses on the application of Pascal's Principle to the operation of a hydraulic lift. The Concept Builder consists of 25 total questions organized into 9 different Question Groups and spread across three Activities.  





 

January, 2024

January 31, 2024

Construction Helmet Day

There were more fixes today. This is beginning to feel like a government job ... except that we really do fix things. As an FYI: that's as political of a statement as we will ever make. We stick to Physics (and only on occassion, mix in some stand-up comedy).

Energy Analysis 2
The fix we made to this Concept Builder on 1/26 has now been undone. We reverted back to Version 2.2 due to issues with the update. 

Task Tracker, Version 2
We have been monitoring Task Tracker closely, fixing bugs, and making improvements. We always appreciate teacher feedback on issues. There have been many improvements and fixes today. They include ...
  1. All School lists should be alphabetizing now. And typing into the School lists field will select out only schools matching the typed string. 
  2. Student rosters are now presented in alphabetical order. 
  3. The View button (eyeball icon) next to students' name is now worrking correctly
We have more fixes and improvements on the way; but as is, Version 2 is operating in a very stable manner.

Properties of Matter Concept Builder
The What Am I? activity was not recording progress. It now does. Sorry. Version 2.2.1 contains the fix.

Fluid Pressure Concept Builder
The link in Task Tracker to this Concept Builder was not working. It now works.

Calculator Pad, Rotational Dynamics
Two problems - RD5Q2 and RD8Q3 were not working well. There were duplicate parts and some parts had no answer equations. Both problems have been retired and replaced with RD5Q2V2 and RD8Q3V2.

Physics Interactives, Free-Body Diagrams - The Sequel
One of the questions (air hockey table question) was grading the question correctly but providing incorrect feedback when the wrong force types were selected. This has been corrrected. Version 1.2 contains the fix.

Science Reasoning Center - Slinky Experiments
Unfortunately the second activity (Slinky Experiments - Day 2) was not tracking students' progress. The error has been corrected and it is now working. Version 1.1 contains the fix.
 

Teachers: it's always worth mentioning - "See something. Say something." If you see something misbehaving on our website, report it. You will find an email at the bottom of the Teacher Resources page of your account and at the bottom of the About page. Thanks heaps for helping out.


 

January 29, 2024

Concept Builder - Floating, Sinking, and Hanging

A new Concept Builder is now available for our Fluids section. The Concept Builder explores the question of what makes some objects float and other objects sink? There are a total of 72 multi-part questions organized into 18 Question Groups and spread across three activities. It's perfect for any level and provides good conceptual reasoning skills for AP Physics 1. 


 

January 26, 2024

Friday Fixes

We've rolled up our sleeves, pulled out our toolbox, and got to work doing some fixing. The following changes have been made and uploaded to the website:

Science Reasoning Center: Decibels, Phons, and Sones
We have fixed an answer key error for one of the Lesson 2 questions. Version 1.1 has the fix.

Science Reasoning Center: Stopping Distance
Our Figure 1 graph had units of m/s along the  vertical axis. It now reads mi/hr and everyone can be happy. Version 1.1 has the fix.

Concept Builders: What's Up (and Down) with KE and PE
​There is now one less spelling error at The Physics Classroom. Every little bit helps. Version 2.2.1 has the fix.

Concept Builders: Buoyancy
​A button in the second activity was coded incorrectly. Version 2..2.1 has the fix.

Concept Builders: Up and Down with Energy
​This CB provides a Health Rating (a measure of how well the students understands the concept). We displayed it on the Main Menu but never stored in in Task Tracker. When a Task Tracker user re-visited the page it provided conflicting information. It has been clarified. Version 2.2.4 has the fix.

The following Concept Builders received the same fix as the one described above:

Stepping Up to PE and KE - Version 2.2.2 has the fix.

Energy Analysis 1 - Version 2.2.1 has the fix.

Energy Analysis 2 - Version 2.2.1 has the fix.



 

January 25, 2024

Teacher Presentation Pack

We completed and uploaded a very large project known as the Teacher Presentation Pack. It is a downloadable product that includes nearly 190 Microsoft PowerPoint slide decks, about 170 animations and videos in .mp4 and .gif formats, too-many-to-count stand-alone images, and a Lesson Notes page for every slide deck. The slide decks are compatible with Google Slides. We did our best to make the product ready-to-use and at the same time fully customizable. It's a great tool in the toolbox for any early-career teacher, cross-over teacher, or even veteran teacher.



 

January 24, 2024

Task Tracker, Version 2

We went live with Task Tracker Version 2 for teachers. This is a > 1-year long project that involved a complete overhaul of the back-end code. We are slowly and cautiously releasing it. The new version was designed to make class and task creation and management easier. It affects teachers only. You will find the link on your account page labeled as Classes (Version 2). On occassion we may take the link down as we make adjustments, edits, and new code uploads; then we will put the link back up. We should have everything ironed out within a week. The Legacy version of classes will remain available until the end of the year.


 

January 18, 2024

Task Tracker Improvement for Minds On Physics

Students and teachers should notice a change for all Minds On Physics Task Tracker missions. Missions have previously displayed names in Task Tracker like Mission KG6. They will now display a more descriptive name like Mission KG6 Interpreting Velocity-Time Graphs. This is a small part of a huge project involving many moving parts that will be coming out VERY SOON (tomorrow or early next week).


 

January 16, 2024

Concept Builder - Buoyancy

Our third Concept Builder for our new Fluids section is now live. The topic is Buoyancy and targets a student understanding of Archimede's Principle. There are three activities with 33 questions organized into nine question groups. This is a new topic for us and represents our continued effort to extend our coverage to topics not traditionally addressed on the site.


 

January 15, 2024

Concept Builder - Fluid Pressure

We just launched a new Concept Builder for our growing Fluids section. The topic is Fluid Pressure and the Concept Builder explores the nature of fluid pressure and the variables that affect its magnitude. Students must demonstrate expertise at differentiating between the information that is extraneous and the information that is relevant to the pressure exerted by a fluid at a given location.


 

January 12, 2024

Video Tutorial - Young's Experiment

Our final video in our Tutorial Series on Light and Color is complete. The Under Construction sign has been taken down.  The topic of the video is Young's Experiment; we think it turned out well. It's a great prep for those classes who do Young's experiment as a lab.

 

 

January 11, 2024

Video Tutorial - Path Difference and Wavelength

Our Path Difference and Wavelength Video Tutorial is now live. The video relies on clever animations to develop the mathematical logic by which the path difference for two waves meeting up at an anti-nodal or nodal line is related to the wavelength. If you cover two-point source interference, you'll want to see the graphics and animations used in this video.

 

 

January 10, 2024

Concept Builder - Properties of Matter

We have started a new collection of Concept Builders on the topic of Fluids. The first of eight Concept Builders is now live. The topic is on the Properties of Matter with an emphasis in those properties that make fluids different than non-fluids. This section on Fluids should be completed by the end of February (but probably sooner).

 

 

 

January 9, 2024

Video Tutorial - Anatomy of a Two-Point Source Interference Pattern

We have just published the 11th of 13 planned videos in our Light Waves and Color Video Tutorial. This video introduces the language associated with two-point source patterns. There are two follow-up videos to this one that will be out this week. 

 

 

 

January 8, 2024

Video Tutorial - How the Eyes See Color

Our newest video on How the Eyes See Color describes the wavelength sensitivity of the three color receptors on the eye's retina and discusses how the incident-absorbed-reflected model can be used to explain how the eye-brain system perceives color in objects. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations. 

 

 

 

January 5, 2024

Video Tutorial - Electromagnetic and Visible Light Spectrum

We just went live with a Video Tutorial on the Electromagnetic and Visible Light Spectrum. We have four more videos before completion of our Video Tutorial project.

 

 

 

January 4, 2024

Video Tutorial - Thin Film Interference

Our 8th of 13 videos is now live. Thin Film Interfernce relies a wave model to explain the iridescent colors in a soap or oil film. Great graphics. Great learning.

 

 

 

January 3, 2024

Video Tutorial - Two-Point Source Interference Patterns

The basic idea of our new video is that the fact that light interferes to form two-point source interference patterns provides evidence for the wave nature of light. Later videos will introduce the mathematics of two-point source interference patterns and lead to an analysis of Young's Experiment.

 

 

 

January 2, 2024

Video Tutorial - The Wave Nature of Light

We have continued work on our Light Waves and Color section of our Video Tutorial. We hope to finish it up in the next few weeks. We have just released what is the first video in a series of 13. Five of the other videos have already been completed.

 

 

 

 


December, 2023


NOTE: Much of December has been spent working on the completion of two very LARGE projects. These two projects will go Live in January of 2024. Stay tuned.

 

December 7, 2023

Push the Plow Science Reasoning Activity

We have completed another Energy activity for our Science Reasoning Center section of the website. This activity describes a lab associated with work and energy. The lab would be a great activity to do as an introduction to the topic; see Labs E4 and E5 here. And this Science Reasoning Activity would make for a great follow-up.

 

 

 

December 6, 2023

It's All Uphill Science Reasoning Activity

Our 63rd Science Reasoning Activity is completed. This activity aligns with HS-PS3-1 of the NextGen Science Standars. It involves the analysis, modeling, and explanation of an experiment in which work is done to pull a cart up an inclined plane. As the standard states: Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other component(s) and energy flows in and out of the system are known. 

 

 

 

December 5, 2023

Video Tutorial - Solving Closed-End Air Column Problems

We have released our 14th and final video for our Sound Waves and Musics video tutorial series. This collection of 14 videos serves as a support for students learning the basics of sound ... and particularly for those who are working on associated Task Tracker assignments like Minds On Physics. Our next video project will be to complete our Light Waves and Color Tutorial Series. Work on this project will likely begin in January.

 

 

 

December 4, 2023

Video Tutorial - Solving Open-End Air Column Problems

We just released the 13th of 14 planned videos for our Sound Waves Tutorial Series. This video uses five examples to demonstrate approaches to solving open-end air column problems.

 

 

 

December 1, 2023

Atwood's Machine 2D Interactive

If you cover two-body situations and Atwood's machines, then you will love our latest addition. The Atwood's Machine 2D simulation provides an environment that allows the learner to explore two-mass systems. An Atwood's machine (two masses connected by a string that stretches over a pulley) and modified versions of the Atwood's machine (one or both of the masses is on a horizontal or angled surface) can be explored. The environment allows a user to change the mass values, change the g value, change the initial velocity, introduce friction into surface, alter the angle of the surfaces, and view the resulting acceleration. The simulation includes nine different scenarios to explore, with each scenario becoming incrementally more complex than the previous. With nine scenarios, classes can start where they wish, finish where they wish, and learn all they can.

 

 

 

November, 2023

November 30, 2023

Video Tutorial - Resonance in Closed-End Air Columns

Our 12th video in our Tutorial Series on Sound Waves and Music is now live. It is titled Resonance in Closed-End Air Columns. It is packed with diagrams, equations, and graphic organizers. Students will learn how open- and closed-end air columns differ, how to construct the standing wave diagram from the vibrational pattern of particles, how to relate the length to the wavelength, and how to compare wavelengths and frequencies of the various harmonics to each other. We should be finishing up our series of videos on the topic next week.

 

 

November 29, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Electromagnetism

We have uploaded our first seven problem sets for our new Electromagnetism chapter at The Calculator Pad. Each problem set consists of several multi-part problems that challenge students to conduct a thorough analysis of a physical scenario. They were designed to coordinate with the AP Physics 2 curriculum. We'd love to know what you think. In the meantime, we'll continue working on the remaining sets of Electromagnetism.

 

 

November 28, 2023

Video Tutorial - Resonance in Open-End Air Columns

A new video titled Resonance in Open-End Air Columns is now available. This brings us very close to the end of our series. Three videos remain. We should be finishing up in the first week of December.

 

 

November 27, 2023

Video Tutorial - Natural Frequencies and Standing Waves

We have completed another video for our Sound Waves Tutorial Series. This one builds the idea that a natural frequency of vibration is associated with a standing wave pattern. The video ends with an analysis of vibrating strings and the mathematical patterns between harmonic number, frequencies, and wavelengths.

 

 

November 21, 2023

Video Tutorial - Natural Frequency, Forced Vibration, and Resonance

We are making great progress on our video tutorial series on sound waves and music. We have completed our 8th video of an estimated 14. The topic is resonance and its full of examples and demonstrations. We should be fininshing up in early December.

 

 

November 20, 2023

Video Tutorial - Sound Interference and Beats

Difficult topic. Solid video. Good accompanying resources. Video #7 in our series on Sound Waves is now complete and live on our site and on YouTube.

 

 

November 17, 2023

It's Fix-It Friday (though not exactly anything to celebrate) and we have three updates to interactive activities on our website. 

  • CalcPad, Problem 7 of Problem Set F2D12 on Inclined Planes - The range of possible acceleration values was set too large relative to the range of theta values. The result is that there were some instances in which the answer for mu included negative values. While the math worked, the problem was lacking realism. It has been replaced with Problem F2D12Q7v2 with a narrower and lower range of acceleration values.
  • Science Reasoning Center: Collision Carts - The Master Level had an oddly-worded problem accompanied by an incorrectly keyed answer. Both problems have been fixed. Version 1.2 has the fix.
  • Concept Builder: Newton's Laws, Mass vs. Weight - The third activity of this Concept Builder involved calculations using Weight = m•g. A +/-5% error allowance was being given, resulting in commonly-made mistakes being counted as correct. The error allowance has been reduced to 2.5%. Version 2.2.4 has the fix.

Task Tracker Teachers: contact Tom to report an error. His email is at the bottom of the Teacher Resources page. We always appreciate the reports of teachers working with students on the front line. And by the way, we also appreciate it when you can personally validate the error and not just take students' word for it.



 

November 16, 2023

Video Tutorial - DeciBel and Intensity Calculations

Calculating the deciBel rating from an intensity value and an intensity value from a deciBel rating isn't easy for many students. Now you can provide them with some extra help. Mr. H steps through 5 example problems of varying difficulty. 

 

 

November 14, 2023

Video Tutorial - Sound Intensity and deciBels

Mr. H will be the first to admit that sometimes he just gets too excited about a Physics topic. And this is a case in point. Mr. H covers it all from the concepts to the relationships to the math. Inverse square law with examples. An explanation of the deciBel rating system with examples. Example problems using the powers of 10 to coordinate with a Concept Builder. The equation for calculating the deciBel rating from the intensity with an example. And a discussion of how frequency impacts the subjective quality of loudness using equal loudness curves. Yep! 16 minutes packed with physics and made understandable. Check out the 4th video in the series.

 

 

November 13, 2023

Video Tutorial - Properties of Sound

We are making steady progress on our video tutorial series on Sound Waves. Our 3rd video is now out. The topic is Properties of Sound with a focus on frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and speed.

 

 

November 10, 2023

Completion of our Minds On Physics Project

We have completed our 1-sentence descriptors for every Question Group in every module of our Minds On Physics program. And in the process, we realized Minds On Physics is a very cool program (but we knew that already ... the project just provided us a revived appreciation for it).

 

 

November 9, 2023

Video Tutorial: Sound as a Pressure Wave

Many students are troubled by the idea of sound being a wave when there are no crests or troughs or anything that resembles a familiar sine wave pattern. In this Sound as a Pressure Wave Video Tutorial, Mr. H clears up the confusion with a short presentation on why sound can be thought of as a pressure wave. This is our 2nd of 14 proposed videos in our Sound and Music Video Tutorial. We should have it completed by the end of December.

 

 

November 8, 2023

Video Tutorial: Sound as a Mechanical Wave

Our first video of an estimated 14 in our Sound Waves Tutorial Series is complete. Many more to come.

 

 

November 7, 2023

More Task Tracker Improvements for Minds On Physics

We have added more 1-sentence descriptors for every Question Group in the Wave Motion, Sound and Musics, and Light and Color modules of Minds On Physics. These descriptors show up on the Task page in a teacher's Task Tracker account. This project will be completed by next week.

 

 

November 3, 2023

Task Tracker Improvements for Minds On Physics

We have added 1-sentence descriptors for every Question Group in the Electrostatics and Electric Circuits modules of Minds On Physics. These descriptors show up on the Task page in a teacher's Task Tracker account. They allow teachers to more quickly delete undesired Question Groups or quickly make sense of questions students had difficulty with. We will continue to work sporadically on this project and should complete it by mid-November.

 

 

November 1, 2023

Modeling Roller Coasters at the Science Reasoning Center

The coding of this SRC activity was scary enough to release it on Halloween but too complicated to finish it on time. The 5-part, NGSS-inspired activity is full of thinking and interactivity. Questions range from the numerical to the conceptual. It is one of our most intricate Science Reasoning Center activities yet and worth a look by every Physics teacher, and especially those who follow NGSS directives.





 

October, 2023

October 27, 2023

Fix-It Friday

It's Fix-It Friday and we have four updates to four interactive activities on our website. 
 

Task Tracker Teachers: contact Tom to report an error. His email is at the bottom of the Teacher Resources page. We always appreciate the reports of teachers working with students on the front line. And by the way, we also appreciate it when you can personally validate the error and not just take students' word for it.





 

October 26, 2023

Task Tracker Improvements for Minds On Physics

We have added 1-sentence descriptors for every Question Group in three different modules of Minds On Physics - Momentum and Collisions, Work and Energy, and Circular Motion and Gravitation. These descriptors make MOP missions even easier to customize. They allow teachers to more quickly delete undesired Question Groups when assigning a mission. We have completed all the Mechanics modules and are more than half-way done with this project. We are on schedule to complete it by mid-November.


 

 

October 20, 2023

Task Tracker Improvements for Minds On Physics

We have added 1-sentence descriptors for every Question Group in the Newton's Laws, Vectors and Projectiles, and Forces in 2-Dimensions modules of Minds On Physics. These descriptors show up on the Task page in a teacher's Task Tracker account. They allow teachers to more quickly delete undesired Question Groups or quickly make sense of questions students had difficulty with. We will continue to work sporadically on this project and should complete it by mid-November.


 

 

October 19, 2023

Projectile Motion - a Short Course

We took our 70 minutes of video footage from our video Tutorial on Projectile Motion and condensed it down into about 16 minutes to produce a YouTube playlist. We believe this collection of short videos will prepare students to understand projectile motion, to grasp the equations that describe them, and to use the equations to solve problems. Pretty slick!

 

 

October 18, 2023

Science Reasoning Center: Periodic Trends

This NGSS-inspired task includes five activities that identify trends in atomic size and metallic character (ease at which electrons are lost), that use trends in electronegativity to predict the type of bond formed between a given element and three other elements in the table, and relate trends in outer shell electron arrangements to the formula of a molecular compound. The activity aligns with the HS-PS1-1 standard of the Next Generation Science Standards. This is our third (traditionally) chemistry activity in the SRC ... and we think they are all pretty special.



 

October 17, 2023

Task Tracker Improvements for Minds On Physics

This is the first of several uploads for a mid-sized project in which we will add 1-sentence descriptors for every Question Group in Minds On Physics. Descriptors (along with our Preview pages) assist teachers in evaluating the suitability of a Question Group for their classes; if judged not suitable, the QG can be eliminated from their students' assignment. We have completed the Kinematic Concepts and Kinematic Graphing modules. We will work sporadically on the project and complete it in about one month.



 

October 11, 2023

Science Reasoning Center: Wave Speed

This three-part activity focuses on the variables that affect the speed of a wave in a Slinky. Information about three short student experiments are presented to students. Students analyze the design of the experiment, identify appropriate claims and the supporting evidence for such claims, and use the patterns in the data to predict the result of subsequent trials. The activity includes a wide collection of questions that target the HS-PS4-1 performance expectation of the NGSS.



 

October 10, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial: Importing a Task

Our most recent Task Tracker Tutorial video details the topic of Importing a Task. The video covers what importing a task involves, why a teacher would want to import a task, and how to import a task.



 

October 9, 2023

Science Reasoning Center: Electromagnetic Spectrum

This task presents information in the form of two short paragraphs and an elaborate diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum. The diagram shows all the regions of the spectrum with a few regions being divided into sub-regions. Wavelength, frequency, and energy/photon values are given. Graphics demonstrate the relative size of the various wavelengths. A final row of the diagram shows typical sources of each type of electromagnetic wave. Questions target students' ability to analyze the diagram, extract information, and make sense of the information. This activity offers strong NGSS alignment.




 

October 7, 2023

Maintenance Day

If you don't take the time to do it right the first time, then you will have to take the time to fix it. And that's what we did today. Two updates were made to the site.
 

Task Tracker Teachers: contact Tom if you find an error. His email is at the bottom of the Teacher Resources page.





 

October 6, 2023

Science Reasoning Center: Sound as a Pressure Wave

The Sound as a Pressure Wave activity is our 61st addition to the SRC. It serves as a great introduction to the nature of a sound wave. Students are presented a short reading regarding sound waves. The reading focuses on the pressure oscillations of a sound wave and provides two diagrams and two plots of pressure as a function of time for two different sound sources. Students must interpret the plots in light of the terminology presented in the reading. Students learn about compressions, rarefactions, wavelength, frequency, period, and pressure while they practice many of the habits of a scientist.



 

October 4, 2023

Science Reasoning Center: Voltage-Current-Resistance

The Voltage, Current, and Resistance activity describes two experiments performed by a class in order to determine the mathematical equation relating the voltage, current, and resistance for a simple circuit. Data tables for a specific lab group, graphs with linear regression statistics, and class data are provided. Students must understand the experiment's design, analyze the results, and identify conclusions that are supported by the evidence.



 

October 3, 2023

Science Reasoning Center: The Periodic Table, Ions, and Ionic Compounds

This NGSS-inspired task includes five scaffolded activities that begin with an investigation of the sub-structure of atoms and ions. Then students explore the formation of ions by atoms of main group elements. Finally, the last two activities pertain to the ratio by which atoms of elements combine to form ionic compounds. Each activitiy places an emphasis upon the connection between the chemistry concept and the family properties of elemental groups on the Periodic Table. 


 


 

September, 2023

September 28, 2023

Physics Interactives: Collision Mania Simulation

We have a new simulation in our Physics Interactives section. The CollisionMania Simulation provides a virtual playground for users to explore a variety of collision scenarios, Eight different scenarios are included, beginning with straightforward 1-dimensional collisions and progressing to collisions between a block (moving and stationary) and a pendulum (stationary or moving). Users can modify variables such as initial speeds, heights of a pendulum, coefficient of restitution, and the mass of objects. Post-collision parameters can be observed. Before- and after-collision values of height, speed, kinetic energy, potential energy, and momentum can be viewed. The simulation can be easily repeated or quickly reset and modified.


 

September 27, 2023

Maintenance Day

Sometimes you gotta fix stuff that ain't working right. It ain't particularly fun; but it sho is necessary. Today was the day. The following fixes were made:
 
  • Complete Electron Configuration Concept Builder - There were two questions in the Master Level that included elements that break the more general rule of electrons filling lower-energy sublevels before beginning to fill the next highest energy sublevels. So Cr in Question #26 has been replaced by Mn. And Cu of Question #29 has been replaced by Co. This should make everyone happy, especially Mr. Aufbau. Version 2.1.1 has the fix.
  • Vector Addition Concept Checker - The Help Me button led to a dead end page. Now it leads to a page with some incredibly useful learning tools. Now the kids are really going to learn. Version 1.2 has the fix.
  • Up and Down Concept Builder - Under certain conditions, an obscure error message displayed at the completion of the Crunch the Numbers activity. If students didn't tap the OK button, they didn't receive credit for completion of this activity. We agree, that's no way to treat a student. The problem has been fixed. Version 2.2.3 has the fix.
  • Words and Graphs Concept Builder - Now this one is being stubborn and we don't like that. While we're not done adding motor oil, we did upload a new file with one answer key correction and a clarification for three graphics. Version 2.2.1 has the fix. And we'll get back to this one tomorrow.
  • Fnet = m*a Concept Builder - This Concept Builder turned up MIA. We found it and put it back in its place. Be nice to it boys and girls. 
If you're a Task Tracker teacher and you find a bug, let us know. Contact Tom. You'll find his email address on the Teacher Resources page and at the bottom of the About page.


 

September 26, 2023

Fan Cart Study

This NGSS-inspired activity addresses performance expectation HS-PS2-1 of the NGSS. The five-part activity describes an experiment with fan-propelled carts accelerating along a track. Students consider questions that can be asked and answered, analyze the design of the investigation, analyze and interpret data, describe the resulting relationship, and use the relationship to rank four situations by increasing acceleration.


 

September 21, 2023

The Periodic Table, Elements, and Their Bonds

This NGSS-inspired activity focuses on the relationship between the location of an element on the Periodic Table and its tendency to form an ionic, covalent, or metallic bond with other elements on the table. The activity addresses the HS-PS1-1 standard of the Next Generation Science Standards. This is the first of a total of three Chemistry-oriented activities for this specific NextGen standard.


 

September 20, 2023

New Task Tracker Feature

We have good news for Task Tracker teachers. From the beginning, students have been in charge of how their name appears in Task Tracker. And unfortunately, it doesn't turn out to well. Now teachers have been invested with the rights to change student names. So that student with the name P J cannot get a full spelling and teachers will be able to tell who's who in their class. Teachers can tap on the Edit Name button (looks like a scripted letter) to the left of the student's name on the Roster in order to pop up the editing panel.


 

September 14, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Friction, Speed, and Stopping Distance

The Friction, Speed, and Stopping Distance Science Reasoning Center activity describes the variables that affect that total stopping distance for a car skidding to a stop under a variety of roadway conditions. The effect of reaction time, friction coefficient, and initial speed are investigated. Questions target student's ability to interpret complex data presentations, to combine information from one data presentation with information from another data presentation, to interpolate and extrapolate from given information towards appropriate conclusions, and to investigate the effect of changes in one variable upon another variable.


 

September 12, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Ballistics

The Ballistics Science Reasoning Center activity compares and contrasts the trajectories of an airborne object in the absence and in the presence of air resitance. Factors that affect the amount of air resistance are covered. 


 

September 9, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Marshmallow Launcher

This Science Reasoning Activity takes students through an investigation of a project that analyzes the variables that impact the effectiveness of a PVC-tube Marshmallow Launcher.


 

September 5, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Air Bag Safety

Our 51st Science Reasoning Center activity takes students on an exploration of the issues associated with air bag safety and the efforts of scientists and engineers to solve a few design problems.


 

September 3, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Kepler's Third Law

Our newest SRC activity - Kepler's Third Law - describes an exercise in which students analyze period-radius data for the orbit of the (traditional) nine planets. The information is presented in the form of a data table and six different graphs of period and radius raised to various powers. Questions target a student's ability to understand the linear regression process, to recognize patterns in the data and graphs, to identify the relationship between the two variables, and to use the relationship to make predictions about the radius ratio or period ratio for planets in a fictional solar system. This is our 50th activity created for the Science Reasoning Center.


 

 

August, 2023

August 30, 2023

The Calculator Pad: Electromagnetism

We have started our work on the Electromagnetism chapter of the Calculator Pad.  Like some of our more recent additions to the Calculator Pad, this work will focus on meeting the needs of students in an AP Physics 2 course. Our Equation Overview page has been completed; a survey of the page reveals the topics that will be addressed in the problem sets. We anticipate that the first couple of problem sets will be released in early September and we are likely to (but not promising) the completion of these by the end of October.



 

August 29, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - DeciBels, Phons, and Sones

Our newest SRC activity - DeciBels, Phons, and Sones - describes the relationship between sound intensity and the deciBel level, between the perceived loudness of a sound and its frequency and deciBel level, and the sone scale of loudness. Information is presented in the form of a table, a graph with several equal loudness curves and a figure representing the sone scale. The passage and accompanying questions takes students on an exploration of the question as to how do we measure the loudness of a sound.


 

August 28, 2023

The Calculator Pad: RC Circuits

We have completed the RC Circuits chapter of the Calculator Pad. We have released four problem sets, with each containing 4-6 multi-part problems. The problems have been written for the AP Physics 2 curriculum. The problems are a departure from the typical end-of-chapter-solve-for-an-unknown-type problems and instead involve an extensive, multi-part analysis of an RC circuit. The emphasis is on understanding the mathematical relationships inherent to the circuit. 



 

August 26, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Shedding Light on Light Bulbs

Our newest SRC activity - Shedding Light on Light Bulbs - compares and contrasts four modern light bulb options. Information regarding the light bulbs, their color temperature and the connection to the colors and wavelengths of the ROYGBIV spectrum is presented using two tables and a figure. Questions target a student's ability to comprehend information presented in a body of text, to read from the tables, to relate information in one table to information in another table or a figure, and to combine information from two data presentations in order to identify valid conclusions.



 

August 24, 2023

Task Tracker Improvements (for Task Tracker users)

There have been a number of back-end additions, improvements and bug fixes related to our Task Tracker system. The final installments arrived today. These include:
  • Class cloning module allows teachers added control over the features used in a cloned class and the adjustment made to all date information.
  • Teachers can designate a value for g that is used in our CalcPad section; a bug was eliminated that prevented that value from being implemented in our code.
  • We added our first Single Sign On implementation for Google users. Google Classroom schools will love this. When users arrive at our site, they can sign into their account with a click on a button (without a password).
  • A 1-week old bug affecting ad-free accounts was eliminated. Ad-free is working properly for those users with an active log-in.



 

August 23, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Linear Expansion of Materials

Our newest SRC activity - Linear Expansion of Materials - describes in quantitative terms the linear expansion that materials undergo when heated. Questions target a student's ability to use an equation to make predictions, to draw conclusions that are consistent with a model, to select points on a graph, to combine data from a table and a graph in order to compare the expansion of a material under various circumstances, to extrapolate outside the range of values provided by a graph, and to combine data from a table and a graph to make predictions about the amount of expansion a given length of material would undergo.



 

August 21, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Wire Gauge and Characteristics

We have published our 46th SRC activity - Wire Gauge and Characteristics. This activity includes two tables that illustrate the relationship between wire gauge, wire diameter, cross-sectional area, resistance, and ampacity at specific temperatures. Questions target a student's ability to select data from a table, to identify the manner in which one variable depends upon another, to interpolate and to extrapolate from data within a table, to recognize complex numerical patterns in tables of data, and to combine information from two different tables to draw complex conclusions.



 

FIX: Position-Time Graphs: Numerical Analysis Concept Builder

A bug in our Position-Time Graphs: Numerical Analysis prevented the display of the graphs. This has been fixed. The graphs should display and the CB is use-able.



 

August 19, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Reflection and Transmission

We have completed a new SRC activity - Reflection and Transmission. Students utilize an illustration, two graphs, and a data tabel to explore the behavior of light at the boundary between two transparent materials. This passage forms a great evidence-based introduction to total internal reflection and the critical angle.



 

August 17, 2023

The Calculator Pad: RC Circuits

We have begun work on a new chapter at The Calculator Pad. The topic is RC Circuits and it will be created with the AP Physics 2 curriculum as a target audience. Our topic overview page has been prepared; this is always our starting point. Our first problem sets will be out in a few days.



 

August 16, 2023

The Calculator Pad: Electric Field, Potential, and Capacitance

We have uploaded our final two problem sets for our newest chapter in The Calculator Pad. The problem sets pertain to capacitor combinations. All problems are multi-part analyses of a physical scenario. They were designed with the AP Physics 2 curriculum as a target.



 

August 15, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Lens Magnification Lab

We have completed a new SRC activity - Lens Magnification Lab. Students utilize illustrations, graphs, and data table to probe the relationship between focal length, object distance, and the image magnification for a converging lens.


 

August 11, 2023

Physics Interactives - Pace Tracer 1

We have uploaded a new version of Pace Tracer 1 that is Task Tracker compatible. Guest users can use it with full functionality. Task Tracker users will have their progress saved and retrieved. Teachers with Task Tracker subscriptions for Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers will be able to view their student's progress.

 


Physics Interactives - Pace Tracer 2

Now you can have twice the phun with Pace Tracer 2. Like PT1, Pace Tracer 2 detects the motion of a student (or teacher or phan) using a device camera and an ArUco marker. But PT2 plots the velocity of the moving student as a function of time. Both our Pace Tracer Interactives are Task Tracker compatible, allowing teachers to assign them to their students and track their progress. Not a Task Tracker teacher? No problem! The Interactive is fully-functional for Guest users; it just doesn't include the saving of results.

 

 

August 9, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

Today's Task Tracker Tutorial video explains how to clone a class from a previous subscription season. This is a big time-saver for Task Tracker teachers as it allows them to create class populated with ready-to-use assignments. We keep our Task Tracker videos on YouTube. Find it here.

 

 

August 8, 2023

Physics Interactives - Pace Tracer 1

This one is pretty awesome ... I mean REALLY AWESOME! Pace Tracer 1 acts as a motion detector in the browser. It utilizes a device's camera to focus on a printed ArUco marker. Designed for tablets and phones, as a student points the camera at the marker and moves towards and away from it, Pace Tracer plots the position as a function of time. The goal is to match up to 14 different position-time graphs and earn the Trophy for each. Now how cool is that! But don't believe us; we're biased. Instead, print a marker, tape it to a door, and find out for your self. Special thanks to Chris from Nerd Island Studios (makers of SimBucket) for putting this together. Spoiler Alert: don't tell anyone, but Chris is currently working on a Task Tracker version of this before he puts Pace Tracer 2 together. 



 

August 7, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Standing Waves on a Rope

We have completed a new SRC activity - Standing Waves on a Rope. The activity focuses on experimental design, making claims based on evidence, and making predictions based on a model.


 

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

Today's Task Tracker Tutorial video explains the BIG idea behind the Concept Checkers and how to assign a Concept Checker to a Task Tracker class. We keep our Task Tracker videos on YouTube. Find it here.

 

 

August 5, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Object-Image Relations for Concave Mirrors

Our newest SRC activty has been released. This activity describes an experiment in which students investigate the effect of the distance an object is from the mirror upon the height and location of the corresponding image. Data is presented in the form of two graphs. Questions target a student's ability to identify the effect of one variable upon another variable, to select values and to compare values on a graph, to draw conclusions that are consistent with a data presentation (or two), to combine data from two graphs in order to identify an accurate conclusion, and to interpolate using values on a graph.


 

 

August 4, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

Today's Task Tracker Tutorial video takes on a difficult skill - how to write a CalcPad problem set. View Writing a CalcPad Problem on YouTube. It's a lengthy video; see the video Description section for times and titles in order to quickly forward to the desired location. Our complete video collection can be found in the Teacher Resources section of Task Tracker.

 

 

August 3, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

Our most recent Task Tracker Tutorial video details how to assign a Minds On Physics task in Task Tracker. View Assigning a MOP Mission on YouTube. Our complete video collection can be found in the Teacher Resources section of Task Tracker.

 

Science Reasoning Center - Sound Intensity and the deciBel Scale

This activity describes the relationship between the intensity of a sound at a given distance from the source and the associated deciBel level. Information is presented in the form of two tables and a graph. Questions target a student's ability to recognize the qualitative and quantitative relationship between variables, to use the relationship to compare various sounds with different intensities or deciBel ratings or at different distances from the same source, and to extrapolate from a table or a graph to predict deciBel ratings or intensities for a given set of conditions.



 

 

August 1, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Light Bulb Resistance

This activity describes a collection of simple and related experiments involving a comparison of two different types of light bulbs. Questions target a student's ability to understand an experimental design, to make inferences based on experimental results from similar studies, to draw conclusions that are consistent with provided data, to identify models that are supported by two or more data presentations, and to identify an assumption associated with a conclusion. This is our 40th Science Reasoning Activity. Goal met.





 

July, 2023

July 31, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Weightlessness Training

This SRC activity presents information regarding NASA's effort to train astronauts to become accustomed to weightless sensations. Information is presented in the form of a graph, a photo and a diagram. Questions target a student's ability to interpret a graph and a diagram in light of a body of text, to select data values from a graph, to identify conclusions that are consistent with a model, and to translate information from one graph to another graph.



 

July 29, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Thermal Equilibrium

This NGSS-inspired task describes a collection of experiments in which students mix unequal-mass samples of hot and cold water together and monitor the temperature until thermal equilibrium is reached. The task consists of five different activities. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page



 

July 28, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

Our most recent Task Tracker Tutorial video details how to solve a variety of student access problems, including password resets. View Password Resets and More on YouTube.



 

July 27, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

There's two more videos out today. Many more to come. The videos are designed for Task Tracker teachers to assist them in the most common of tasks. The new videos are:

Creating a Customizied a CalcPad Problem Set

Cloning a Task From One Class to Another



 

July 26, 2023

Task Tracker Video Tutorial Series

We have released two more videos for our Task Tracker Tutorials for Teachers series. The videos will be useful resources for teachers who are looking for directions on how to perform specific tasks. For now, our videos are being kept on YouTube. The new videos are:

What is Task Tracker all About?

Assigning a CalcPad Problem Set
 


 

July 25, 2023

The Calculator Pad: Electric Field, Potential, and Capacitance

We have uploaded five more problem sets for our newest chapter in The Calculator Pad. The problem sets pertain to parallel plates, capacitors, and series and parallel capacitor combinations. All problems are multi-part analyses of a physical scenario. They were designed with the AP Physics 2 curriculum as a target.



 

July 24, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Digitizing Data

This NGSS-inspired task addresses the manner in which data (such as graphic images) can be digitized and the issues associated with the transmitting, receiving, and storage of digital data. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page. This is our 37th Science Reasoning activity; and we have been making rapid progress in creating activities for each of the NGSS standards labeled HS-PS4-2, HS-PS4-3, and HS-PS4-4.



 

Task Tracker Video: How to Create a Class

We have begun creating a video series with walk-throughs for the various tasks a teacher will need to master in order to effectively use Task Tracker. Our first video explains how to 1) edit your profile settings, 2) use the Teacher Resources section of Task Tracker, 3) create a class, and 4) add students to the class.

Our videos are kept on YouTube and we provide links to them from within Task Tracker. If not logged in (or you don't have an account, you can View the Video on YouTube.


 

 

July 23, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Communicating with EM Waves

This NGSS-inspired task includes three parts that focus on the sending, encoding, and storage of information by means of electromagnetic waves. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page.



 

July 21, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Sticky Tape Experiments

Our newest Science Reasoning Center activity is from the topic of Static Electricity. Sticky Tape Experiments presents four simple experiments and three rules of charge interaction and engages students in an exercise of thinking and reasoning.



 

July 20, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Electromagnetic Radiation

This NGSS-inspired task includes three activities that focus on the relative wavelength, frequency, and energy of the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum amd the connection of these quantities to the manner in which such waves interact with matter. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page.

 

Science Reasoning Center - Period of a Pendulum

We have completed a Version 2 update of our Science Reasoning activity titled Period of a Pendulum.  Modeled after a popular lab, this interactive has students analyzing the design of an experiment, interpreting data, and making evidence-based claims. It would be a great follow-up to the lab itself.



 

 

July 19, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Models of Light

This NGSS-inspired task consists of five activities that probe the dual nature of light. The success and failure of the wave model of light and the particle model of light to explain reflection, diffraction, interference,and the photoelectric effect are explored. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page.



 

July 17, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Energy Stored in Fields

This NGSS-inspired task addresses performance expectation HS-PS3-5. Students complete a rather thorough analysis of two situations - one involving electric fiels and the other involving magnetic fields. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page.



 

July 15, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Up and Down

Centering around a popular projectile demonstration, this science reasoning activity has students analying data and generalizing data to develop a model about projectile motion. This is our 30th Science Reasoning Center activity. At least that many more to go.



 

July 14, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Engineering Safer Helmets

This NGSS-inspired task addresses the topic of momentum change and impulse by providing students an engineering experience. Students consider design parameters that would enhance the safety of a football helmet. Our NGSS alignment is described on the About page.



 

July 12, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Light Intensity

We have updated another Science Reasoning Center activity. This one will give your students a good work out on data analysis and interpretation and model-building. The inverse square law between intensity and distance is a central part of the activity.



 

July 11, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Hot Wheels Stopping Distance

Our pre-existing Hot Wheels Stopping Distance Science Reasoning activity has received a drastic overhaul with a conversion to a more stringent NGSSS-aligned activity. Take a peek.



 

July 8, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Heating Curves

Both Chemistry and Physics teachers will appreciated our newest addition to the Science Reasoning Center - Heating Curves. This 3-level interactive exercise will give students confidence with interpreting a heating curve. It will make a great follow-up to a lab on the same topic.



 

July 7, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music Science Reasoning interactive is now live. The activity involves a comparison and contrast of open-end and closed-end resonance. Information is presented in the form of two data tables and a figure displaying the FFT analysis of a clarinet and a flute. The activity consists of 52 questions organized into 13 Question Groups and spread across three difficulty levels.



 

July 6, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Colliding Carts

The Colliding Carts Science Reasoning interactive is now live. And we like this one! Two collision experiments are described and data is presented - one table for hit-and-stick collisions and one table for perfectly elastic collisions. There are four activities that guide students through the analysis of the two experiments. The emphasis is on looking for patterns in the data.



 

July 5, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Electricity and Magnetism - Part 2

This is our second NGSS activity on electromagnetism. In this activity, students explore the ability of a moving magnet to induce an electric current in a loop of wire. The activity centers around data presented for a common electromagnetism experiment. And as such, there is a lot data interpretation and analysis.



 

July 3, 2023

Calculator Pad - Electric Field, Potential, and Capacitance

Our first problem sets for our new Calculator Pad section are now live. Each problem set consists of a collection of multi-part problems. The problems are quite different than the traditional end-of-chapter problems. Rather than being solve-for-the-unknown-type problems, they are multi-step analyses of a particular scenario associated with electric charge and electric potential. They were created with the AP Physics 2 curriculum as the bulls-eye.



 

July 2, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Moving Cart on an Inclined Plane

This kinematics-oriented task presents data for a cart moving up and down and inclined plane in the form of position-time and velocity-time graphs. Students miust extract position or velocity data from a graph if given a time, extract a time value if given a position or a velocity value, determine a velocity value for given a position (and vice versa), and use information from the graph to support a variety of claims. This is our 21st Science Reasoning Activity. We hope to increase our numbers to around 35-40 by the end of July.



 

June, 2023

June 30, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Energy on an Inclined Plane

This NGSS-inspired task consists of five parts associated with a lab investigation of the energy of a cart rolling along an inclined plane. Students make decisions regarding the design of the investigation, perform energy calculations from collected data, use an energy model to interpret the findings and to describe and explain the energy changes that are occurring, and evaluate a collection of claims regarding energy associated with the phenomenon. We have a complete work-up of the NGSS connection on the About page.



 

June 29, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Electricity and Magnetism, Part 1

This NGSS-based Science Reasoning Center task consists of five parts that explore the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying wire. It is one of the first interactive activities on the topic of electromagnetism that has gone up on our site. Hopefully, there is more to come. We have a complete work-up of the NGSS connection on the About page.



 

June 28, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Snell's Law

The Snell's Law Science Reasoning activity is prefect for those looking for an activity with a strong emphasis on developing a model from data. Students are presented data and graphs from two refraction experiments and must identify patterns and equations and predict the results of additional experiments.



 

June 27, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Range of a Projectile

This 4-level Science Reasoning activity provides three Excel-generated plots representing the relationships between launch speed, launch angle, horizontal displacement, and height for angle-launched projectiles. Students must analyze the data and make claims that relate these variables.



 

June 26, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Series vs. Parallel Circuits

Our new Series vs. Parallel Circuits activity presents information about three experiments probing the nature of the two types of circuit connections. Students complete four levels of difficulty as they reason towards conclusions about the number of bulbs, the overall resistance, and the overall current.



 

June 21, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Universal Gravitation Activity

This NGSS-based Science Reasoning Center task consists of three parts that target student understanding of the dependence of the gravitational force upon object mass and separation distance. We have a complete work-up of the NGSS connection on the About page.


 

June 19, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Vibrating Mass On A Spring Activity

Our Vibrating Mass on a Spring Science Reasoning activity is now available in the interactive Version 2 format. The activity puts a heavy emphasis upon data analysis and interpretation. The activity centers around an experiment in which the position and the velocity of a vibrating mass are collected as a function of time using a motion detector.


 

June 16, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Concave Mirrors Activity

We released our first Science Reasoning activities on May 27. Today (20 days later), we release our 14th Science Reasoning activity. We're making progress. The new activity - Concave Mirrors - walks students through the analysis of a collection of experiments focusing on the effect that object location has upon the image characteristics. Enjoy.


 

June 15, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Cart, Bricks, and Bands Activity

This NGSS-based Science Reasoning Center task consists of two parts - Planning the Investigation and Analyzing the Data. Each part confronts students with a variety of experimental design and analysis decisions associated with a Newton's Second Law experiment. We have a complete work-up of the NGSS connection on the About page.


 

June 13, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Collisions Activity

We completed our third fully NGSS-based Science Reasoning Center activity. This one is based on a Physical Science disciplinary core idea from the Force and Motion strand. We have a complete work-up of the NGSS connection on the About page.


 

June 12, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Charge Interactions Activity

We have completed another interactive activity for our Science Reasoning Center - the Charge Interactions activity. After providing background material about charged objects and their interactions, the activity discusses an experiement. Student must use the background information to interpret the results.


 

June 10, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Roller Coaster Loops Activity

We have finished the second Science Reasoning activity for our Circular Motion unit. The topic is on circular and clothoid loops of roller coasters. The activity includes minimum reading and tons of data analysis. There are four difficulty levels with four questions in each.


 

June 7, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Kepler's Laws Activity

We completed our second fully NGSS-based Science Reasoning Center activity. This one is based on an Earth and Space Science core idea. We have a complete work-up of the NGSS connection on the About page.


 

June 5, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Ball-Bat Collision Activity

Our 8th Science Reasoning activity is now live. This one is a challenging one and would be very fitting for an AP Physics 1 class. The activity explores details associated with the collision between a bat and a ball.


 

June 2, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Kinematics Activity

Progress continues on our newest section - the "SRC".  We have released Kinematics, our third 1D-Kinematics activity for our updated Science Reasoning Center. Kinematics includes a description of a ball tossed upward into the air. A dot diagram, position-time graph, and velocity-time graph. Questions target a student's ability to extract meaningful data from diagrams and graphs, to interpret graphs, and to make connections between the diagrams and graphs. Given this topic comes up early in the school year for most classrooms, this activity would make a great introduction into data interpretation.


 

June 1, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Velocity-Time Graphs Activity

We have released Velocity-Time Graphs, our second 1D-Kinematics activity for our updated Science Reasoning Center. Four motion detector experiments are described and the v-t plots are presented for 10 different trials. Students must search for patterns in the graphs that relate graph features to motion characteristics. This would make a great follow-up to a hands-on activity that has a similar procedure.




 

May, 2023

May 31, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Friction Activity

We have released our second Newton's Laws activity for our updated Science Reasoning Center. This activity explores three experiments performed on the topic of friction. Students are provided data that they must analyze to arrive at conclusions that lead to a model regarding friction.


 

May 30, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - About Pages for Existing Activties

Each of the activities of the Science Reasoning Center is accompanied by an About This Activity page. The About page describes the connection between the activity and the science standards that they address. The About page also lists Complementary Resources that could be used with the particular Science Reasoning activity. We have completed the About pages for the activities that we had previously uploaded.


 

May 29, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Trajectory of a Juggling Club

We have added another activity to our Science Reasoning Center - The Trajectory of a Juggling Club. The activity coordinates well with any discussion of rotational motion or even projectile motion. A heavy emphasis is placed upon the interpretation of data presented in a complex graph.


 

May 27, 2023

Science Reasoning Center

We have updated our Science Reasoning Center and included our first three activities. There are many more to come. The activites are
  1. Stopping Distance from our Kinematics section
  2. Coffee Filter Physics Lab from our Newton's Laws section
  3. Slinky Experiments from our Vibrations and Waves section (an NGSS-aligned activity)


 

May 18, 2023

Video - Harmonics of Vibrating Strings

We have released a 3-minute video to support students doing the Name That Harmonic: Strings Concept Builder. This video is available on our website and on YouTube. The video is highly graphical and supported by animations.


 

May 11, 2023

Video - The Decibel Scale

We have released a 3-minute video to support students doing the DeciBel Scale Concept Builder. This video is available on our website and on YouTube


 

May 9, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Electric Field, Potential, and Capacitance

We have broken ground for the first of two units being added to the Electricity section of our Calculator Pad. This unit is titled Electric Field, Potential, and Capacitance. It will have a collection of problem sets that address topics in the AP Physics 2 curriculum. We have completed the Equation Overview page. The second unit (coming in June or July) will address electromagnetism topics.


 

May 8, 2023

Video - Wave Properties

We have released a 2.5-minute video to support students doing the Rocking the Boat Concept Builder. This video is available on our website and on YouTube


 

May 5, 2023

Video - Interference of Waves

We have released a 2-minute video to support students doing the Interference of Waves Concept Builder. Like all our videos, it is available on our website and on YouTube. Our goal in providing these short videos is to assist students who are doing the Concept Builders without giving answers. The graphics and examples in the videos are similar to those in the Concept Builders. The presentation presumes students have been introduced to the concept and forgoes the significant details that are available in our Physics Video Tutorials that are companion videos to our written tutorials.


 

May 2, 2023

Video - Triboelectric Charging

We have released a video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The 2.5-minute video is designed to support students doing the Triboelectric Charging Concept Builder. Like all our videos, it is available on our website and on YouTube.


 

May 1, 2023

Video - Coulomb's Law

We have released a video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The 3-minute video is designed to support students doing the Coulomb's Law Concept Builder. Like all our videos, it is available on our website and on YouTube.


 

 


 

April, 2023

April 29, 2023

Video Support for Minds On Physics

Our Minds On Physics program comes with lots of question-specific help. Before starting a mission, students can tap a button or link and view written or video tutorials on the topic. And while doing a question, they can tap a link and receive a detailed analysis of the specific question. As we produce videos, we update the links in Minds On Physics to the newly-published video content. We have just updated all video links in our Wave Motion and Refraction and Lenses modules. The links are to the video content from our Physics Video Tutorial section.


 

Free Body Diagrams ... The Sequel

We launched Free-Body Diagrams ... The Sequel in January. Those attempting to use it with Task Tracker may have been experiencing situations in which the username was not recognized. The problem has been isolated and fixed.


 

 

April 28, 2023

Video - Frequency and Period

We have released a video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The 2-minute video is designed to support students doing the Frequency and Period Concept Builder. Videos in this series are generally short and snappy and filled with "How-tos". These are concise (1 page, both sides) graphical presentations of the concept.


 

 

April 26, 2023

Video - Getting the Hang of Charge

We have released a video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The 3.5-minute video is designed to support students doing the Getting the Hang of Charge Concept Builder. Videos in this series are generally short and snappy and filled with "How-tos". This particular video steps through the logic behind four example problems.


 

 

April 20, 2023

Video - Who Can See Who?

We have released a video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The 2.5-minute video is designed to support students doing the Who Can See Who? Concept Builder. Videos in this series are generally short and snappy and filled with "How-tos".


 

 

April 14, 2023

Calculator Pad - Nuclear Chemistry

We have completed Problem Set NC8 from our Nuclear Chemistry CalcPad chapter. Our CalcPad chapter is now complete.


 

 

April 13, 2023

Calculator Pad - Nuclear Chemistry

Problem Set NC7 from our Nuclear Chemistry CalcPad chapter is now done. The problem set pertains to carbon-14 dating. We hit a programming snafu with our Binding Energy problem set; we were having errors with precision on very small numbers (as in kJ/nucleus). Once programming is fixed, we will have our last problem set in the Nuclear Chemistry section completed.


 

 

April 12, 2023

Calculator Pad - Nuclear Chemistry

We have completed two more problem sets in our newest CalcPad chapter - Nuclear Chemistry. We are still planning on having the remaining problem sets in the chapter done this week.


 

 

April 11, 2023

Calculator Pad - Nuclear Chemistry

We have begun our last planned Chemistry CalcPad chapter (but reserve the right to always change plans and add more). We will have eight problem sets in this chapter; the first four are now completed. The first four have been completed. We should have the remainder done within a week.


 

 

April 10, 2023

Calculator Pad - Fluid Mechanics

We have completed our new CalcPad chapter on Fluid Mechanics. We have eight problem sets that cover a range of fluid mechanics topics. These problem sets were created with AP Physics 2 in mind.


 

Video: Illuminance

We released a 3-minute video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The videos was made to provide help and support to students working on the Light Intensity Concept Builder. The video provides quick, right-to-the-point guidance without providing answers.





April 4, 2023

Video: Direction of Refraction

We released a short, 90-second video as part of our Concept Builder Series. The videos was made to provide help and support to students working on the Law Enforcement: Refraction Concept Builder. The video provides quick, right-to-the-point guidance without providing answers.

 

 

April 3, 2023

Science Reasoning Center - Version 2 Site Structure

We have created the website structure for our newest project - a revamping of the Science Reasoning Center. Version 2 will be an interactive version of the original version that is Task Tracker compatible and offers a large amount of NGSS-motivated activities. These activities should begin appearing in late April or early May. Since we will be quite busy creating and testing content offline, there will likely be considerably less What's New? posts during the month of April. But even so, you should know there's a lot going on behind the scenes; you just won't see it quite yet.

And if you're wondering (or just can't find it), the original version of the Science Reasoning Center is still available. Look for the links to the Legacy Version.

 

 

March, 2023

March 30, 2023

Videos: Counting Waves and Calculating Wavelength

We have released two videos as part of our Concept Builder Series. These videos are made to provide help and support to students working on specific Concept Builders. These videos support students on the Wavelength Concept Builder. They are 1-minute and 1.5-minutes in length. They get to the point quickly, providing guidance without providing answers.

 

 

March 29, 2023

Calculator Pad - Fluid Mechanics

We have released two new problem sets for our new CalcPad chapter on Fluid Mechanics. We now have six problem sets in all with a couple more on their way soon. These problem sets were created with AP Physics 2 in mind.

 

 

March 28, 2023

Simple Harmonic Motion Concept Checker

Our Mass on a Spring simulation has been on the website for some time. We just added a second student activity sheet that focuses on the kinematics and energy of the vibrating mass-spring system. And we also added a Concept Checker that coordinates with the simulation and activity sheet. 
 


 

March 27, 2023

Some Updates/Fixes/Improvements

The maintenance crew was in today and the following changes or fixes have been made. We will all rest better tonight.

Rocket Sled Concept Checker: An answer key error was fixed. Version 1.2 has the update.

Solve It! with Vectors: we have clarified that students should use 9.8 m/s/s for the value of g. Version 2.2.4 has the update.

Solve It! Inclined Planes: we have clarified that students should use 9.8 m/s/s for the value of g. Version 2.2.2 has the update.

Calculator Pad: Electric Circuits, Problem Set EC4: Problem 2's problem statement displayed a numerical constant instead of the actual variable and the result is that the answer key was incorrect. Problem EC4Q2v2 contains the fix.

Calculator Pad: Light Waves, Problem Set LW9: Problem 1, Part b had an answer key error. Problem LW9Q1v2 contains the fix.

Physics Interactives, Free-Body Diagrams ... The Sequel: We cleaned up some wording on some of the questions. Version 1.1 has the improvements.


 

March 24, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Oxidation-Reduction

We have completed the remaining four problem sets for our newest chapter in our Chemistry collection of problem sets at the Calculator Pad.  There are now eight completed problem sets with approximately 50 problems on the topic of Oxidation-Reduction. Additionally, there are several Concept Builders on the topic of Electrochemistry for our Chemistry friends.


 

March 23, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Oxidation-Reduction

We have made more progress on our collection of Chemistry problem sets for the topic of Oxidation-Reduction. He have uploaded three more problem sets, raising our current total to five total problem sets.


 

March 22, 2023

The Store

We have prepared our Store for purchasing for the 2023-24 school year. Our prices have not changed. We will be keeping the same three discounted bundles for the coming year. One bundle has improved in value. The best deal is the Buy 2-Get 3 Free in '23 special. Buy two seats for your students and receive three features free; that's everything we have for the cost of 2 seats ($0.80/seat for Group Subscriptions). See our Seat and Cost Calculator to plan your purchase. Contact Tom for a quote, vendor forms, questions, etc. 


 

March 21, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Oxidation-Reduction

Chemistry teachers now have more to look forward to at The Physics Classroom. We have started our 10th unit in the Calculator Pad section on the topic of electrochemistry and oxidation-reduction. Problem sets OR1 and OR2 are now live. There will be several more over the next two weeks.


 

March 20, 2023

Physics Interactives: Torque Balancer

We have added a new Interactive to our Physics Interactives section. This Interactive provides a multi-level collection of challenges of students' ability to conduct a torque analysis and balance the torques on a beam. Task Tracker code is built directly into the Interactive for those who would like to customize the assignment or collect student progress data. 


 

March 17, 2023

Calculator Pad - Fluid Mechanics

We are making progress on our new CalcPad chapter on Fluid Mechanics. We released two more problem sets on the topics of buoyant force and mass and energy conservation for fluid flow in horizontal pipes.These two problem sets were created with AP Physics 2 in mind.


 

March 16, 2023

Concept Checker for the Particle Wave Simulation

Yesterday we added a Student Activity Sheet for our relatively new Particle Wave Simulation. Today we have added a Concept Checkers that coordinates with the simulation and the activity sheet. It includes 28 questions organized into 7 Queston Groups that serve as a great follow-up to the simulation. The sim and Concept Checker can be freely used. Teachers with Task Tracker subscriptions for Physics Interactives can preview the questions, discard an undesired question group, and set scoring rules for student completion or partial completion.



 

March 15, 2023

The Particle Wave Simulation - Student Activity Sheet

Our new Particle Wave Simulation went live a little more than a month ago. We have recently created and launched a student activity sheet that coordinates with the simulation. Student activity sheets can be downloaded and used by teachers with their classes.



 

March 13, 2023

Balanced vs. Unbalanced Torques Concept Builder

One of our most popular Concept Builders is the Balanced vs. Unbalanced Forces Concept Builder. We now have a rotational counter-part to this Newton's Laws Concept Builder. Our torque version consists of 48 questions organized into 12 Question Groups and spread across three carefully scaffolded difficulty levels. 



 

March 10, 2023

Rotational Inertia Concept Builder

We have released another Concept Builder on rotational motion. This one takes a very visual and conceptual approach to the topic of rotational inertia.



 

March 8, 2023

Torque Concept Builder

We have been spending significant energy this school year adding resources for topics not traditionally covered at The Physics Classroom. Three broad topics of focus have been vibrational motion and simple harmonic motion, rotational motion, and Chemistry. Along these lines, we have just released our fourth new Concept Builder on rotational motion. This one takes a conceptual approach to the topic of torque.



 

March 7, 2023

Mathematics of Lenses Video Tutorial

Our 14th video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series is now live. The video presents the lens equation and magnification equation and demonstrates by means of four example problems how to use them to solve physics word problems.



 

March 6, 2023

Diverging Lenses Video Tutorial

Our 13th video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series has been released. The tutorial discusses the refraction of light by diverging lenses, the construction of ray diagrams, and the describing of the images produced by such lenses.



 

March 3, 2023

Concept Builders - Angular Acceleration

This is the third of what we hope to be several upcoming Concept Builders on rotational motion topics. This concept builder focuses on several conceptual aspects of angular acceleration.



 

March 1, 2023

Object-Image Relationships for Converging Lenses Video Tutorial

Our newest video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series has been released. The tutorial introduces the L•O•S•T art of image description to describe the image characteristics (location, orientation, size, and type) for converging lens images.



 

February, 2023

February 28, 2023

Calculator Pad - Fluid Mechanics

We have just published two problem sets for our new CalcPad chapter on Fluid Mechanics. Together these two problem set provide a collection of 13 multi-part problems on the topic of fluid pressure and its applications. They were created with AP Physics 2 in mind.


 

February 27, 2023

Ray Diagrams for Converging Lenses Video Tutorial

Our 11th video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series has been released. The tutorial describes by means of four examples how to draw a ray diagram for a converging lens.


 

February 23, 2023

Image Formation by Lenses Video Tutorial

There's been more progress on our Video Tutorial Series on Refraction and Lenses. Our 10th video has been released. The tutorial real and virtual images and uses a collection of slide animations to explain how and why an image is formed by a converging and diverging lens. 


 

February 22, 2023

Introduction to Lenses Video Tutorial

Our ninth video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series has been released. The tutorial contrasts converging and diverging lenses in terms of their basic shape and the manner in which they refract light. 


 

February 21, 2023

Concept Builders - Linear and Angular Velocity

This is the second of what we hope to be a few Concept Builders on rotational motion topics. Students use given information to compare the linear velocity or the angular velocity of two different rotating objects.

 

 

February 20, 2023

Calculator Pad - Overview Page for Fluids Problem Sets

Our Calculator Pad project continues, with current work being focused on the topic of Fluids. Each problem set is accompanied by an Overview page that addresses that mathematics associated with the topic. Our Overview page for Fluids is complete. Problem sets will begin arriving soon.
 

 

February 17, 2023

Kinematic Graphing Simulation and Concept Checker

We have released a second Concept Checker for our Kinematic Graphing  simulation. The Concept Checker coordinates with the second of three usage modes - Two-Stage Motion. The Concept Checker consists of 28 questions organized into seven Question Groups. We also added a couple of features and fixed another feature in our Kinematic Graphing  simulation. The Basic 6 mode of the simulation offers the ability to calculate the slope and the area for the position-time and the velocity-time graph. The time and time range at which the slope and the area are calculated can be modified by the user by tapping a Left and Right arrow that moves a time reference line. The left arrow was not displaying; that has been fixed. We have also added the function of shading in the area (between the line on the graph, the time axis, and the two time reference lines) that is being calculated. Finally, we added to links from the Main Menu of the simulation to the two accompanying Concept Checkers. Version 1.1 includes all the improvements.
 

 

Hit the Target Simulation

The Hit the Target simulation received a small fix. When students miss a problem, a Feedback Report is displayed (shows the correct solution). There are three problem types in this skill-building simulation. The third problem type was not displaying a Feedback Report when there was a missed problem. That is now fixed. Version 1.1 contains the fix.
 

 

February 16, 2023

Kinematic Graphing Concept Checker

We released our Kinematic Graphing  simulation last week. If you haven't looked at it, then you need to. Today we made it even better. We have added a Student Activity sheet and a Concept Checker. The Student Activity Sheet guides students through The Basic 6 mode of the simulation. This mode presents students with the six basic motions and displays the three types of graphs (p-t, v-t and a-t) for each motion. The Concept Checker consists of 36 questions organized into 9 Question Groups. Students must answer a question from each group to successfully complete the Concept Checker. 
 

 

February 15, 2023

Critical Angle Video Tutorial

Our eighth video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series has been released. The tutorial explains what a critical angle is, derives the formula for calculating it, and shows by means of three examples how to calculate a critical angle.


 

February 14, 2023

Total Internal Reflection Video Tutorial

Our seventh video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series has been released. The tutorial discusses the behavior of light at the boundary between two transparent materials, the dependence of that behavior on the angle of incidence, and the definition and requirements of total internal reflection.


 

February 13, 2023

Concept Builders - Angular Position and Displacement

This is the first of what we hope to be a few Concept Builders on rotational motion topics. This one emphasizes the task of making meaning of the radian with specific emphasis on the concept of fractions of π radians.


 

February 9, 2023

Physics Interactives - Kinematic Graphing

Hey teacher. Don't miss this one! We know that it's not exactly the season for teaching kinematic graphing, but do check this out and make a note to use it this coming Fall. This simulator deserves a place in a Lesson Plan or two. 


 

February 7, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Simple Harmonic Motion

Our final two problem sets in our new Simple Harmonic Motion chapter of The Calculator Pad are now live. 


 

February 3, 2023

Particle Wave Simulation

We released a new interactive simulation for the Waves and Sound category of our Physics Interactives section. The simulation models a wave with a collection of 60 particles vibrating up and down in simple harmonic motion.




Energy of a Mass on a Spring Concept Builder

We applied a quick fix to our Spring Energy Concept Builder. The links to help pages for the third and fourth activities did not work. They have been fixed. Version 2.2.1 contains the fix.



 

February 2, 2023

Determining the Index of Refraction Video Tutorial

Our sixth video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series is now live. The video demonstrates the use of Snell's Law to analyze the path of light through an unknown material in order to determine its index of refraction. This would make a great supplement to a lab activity that has this as its goal.



 

February 1, 2023

Snell's Law and Ray Tracing Video Tutorial

Our fifth video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series discusses how to use Snell's Law to calculate the angle of refraction at boundaries and trace the path of light through a layer, a prism, or mulitple layers.

 

The Calculator Pad - Simple Harmonic Motion

Problem Sets SHM3 and SHM4 of our new Simple Harmonic Motion chapter of The Calculator Pad are now live. Problem Set SHM3 includes 3 multi-part problems involving relationships between the position, velocity, acceleration, and time values for a mass vibrating on a horizontal spring. And Problem Set SHM4 includes 4 multi-part problems involving the determination of a variety of values, including frequencies, periods, energies (kinetic and potential), accelerations, forces, positions, velocities, and accelerations for a vibrating mass on a horizontal spring.

 

 

January, 2023

January 31, 2023

Snell's Law Video Tutorial

Our fourth video in our Refraction and Lenses Video Tutorial series is now live. The tutorial discusses the development of Snell's Law from laboratory data and demonstrates its use to predict the angle of refraction.



 

January 30, 2023

Balance Beam Concept Checker

We have added a new Concept Checker that coordinates with our Balance Beam interactive. This interactive pertains to balanced torques. The accompanying student activity sheet provides guidance through the use of the interactive. The Concept Check is well-coordinated with the activity sheet.



 

January 27, 2023

Friday Fix-It Day

We did some fixin' today. The following content was updated with bug fixes.

Egg Drop Concept Checker: The four questions from Question Group 11 had two answer options that were identical. This has been fixed. Version 1.0.3 contains the fix.

Vector Walk in 2D - We found and corrected a small bug that surfaced when a Task Tracker user who had finished the activity elected to do it a second time for practice. Version 1.1 contains the fix.

Wave Basics Concept Builder: One of the three questions from Question Group 4 of the third activity had an incorrectly-keyed answer. Drats! That has been corrected and Version 2.2.2 contains the fix.

Minds On Physics, Mission F2D5: There were two Question Groups focusing on static friction on an inclined plane that required some language clarifications associated with the static friction-normal force relationship. Versions 5.1 contains the fix.



 

January 26, 2023

Task Tracker - Improved Clone Button

We have updated the functionality of the Clone button for Task Tracker teachers. The Clone button can be used to duplicate a newly-made task to another class. The button makes a copy of the task and places it in another class that you select from a pull-down, thus saving you the time of having to make the task twice or three times or four times. Now, the button allows you to select multiple classes from the pull down. So make the task once, and clone it once to four other classes. That's a bit of a time-saver.


 

January 25, 2023

The Calculator Pad - Simple Harmonic Motion

Our first two problem sets in our new Simple Harmonic Motion chapter of The Calculator Pad are now live. Problem Set SHM1 includes 4 multi-part problems involving calulations of force, period, frequency, kinetic energy, and potential energy for a vibrating mass on a horizontal spring. And Problem Set SHM2 involves calculations that require the use of proportional reasoning to determine the same quantities when a parameter is changed by a particular factor. 


 

January 24, 2023

Direction of Refraction Video Tutorial

Our third video in the Refraction and Lenses Tutorial Series is now published. This 11-minute video focuses on how to predict the direction of bending if the relative speed, relative optical density, or relative index of refraction of the two materials on opposite sides of the boundary are known.


 

January 23, 2023

Optical Density, Index of Refraction, and Light Speed Video Tutorial

Our second video in the Refraction and Lenses Tutorial Series is now published. This 7-minute video focuses on the relationship between optical density, n, and the speed of light. It's short, snappy, very organized, and (hopefully) effective.


 

January 20, 2023

Calculator Pad: Simple Harmonic Motion, Problem Set Overview

We are preparing a collection of problem sets on the topic of simple harmonic motion. We have published our Problem Set Overview page. Problem sets will be published at a relatively steady rate over the next month or so.


 

January 19, 2023

Refraction Video Tutorial

The first of several video tutorials on the topic of Refraction and Lenses is live. This 8-minute video explains what refraction is and the conditions under which it occurs. 


 

January 18, 2023

Vector Walk in Two Dimensions Interactive

Inspired by last week's introduction of the new Task Tracker version of Vector Walk, we decided to attempt a two-dimensional version. Now the person performs 2-stage, 3-stage, and 4-stage motion in two dimensions. The goal is to determine the distance and displacement (both magnitude and direction). The activity requires the use of the Pythagroean theorem and a trigonometric function.


 

January 13, 2023

Vector Walk Interactive, Version 3

Our Vector Walk simulation has received some much needed love. It has been re-written from scratch. The result is a cleaner interface, eight different difficulty levels, smooth animations, randomized numbers, and compatibility with Task Tracker. Both Guests and logged-in Task Tracker users will appreciate the revision. For many Physics teachers, this is one of the first topics of the course. And now there is an engaging, visual, and feedback-oriented activity to enliven those lesson plans.



NEW Task Tracker Feature: Import Tasks

The first of several upcoming Task Tracker features has gone live. Task Tracker Teachers can now import a task from any other class into their own class. Teachers will find a Create New Task button (the usual) and an Import Task button (the improvement) on their New Task page. A search field allows them to search for any task of their own or of a colleague in order to import it into their own class. A single task or multiple tasks can be imported at once by selecting all tasks that appear in the search results. For Group Subscriptions, this is an awesome way to share. And for any teacher, this might be a timesaver over the Clone option. This new feature allows you to also find tasks from inactive subscriptions that you were a part of.



 

January 12, 2023

Energy of a Vibrating Mass on a Spring Concept Builder

Our Vibrating Mass on a Spring Concept Builder is completed and now live at TPC. This is likely our biggest Concept Builder yet with 70 questions oroganized into 24 Question Groups and spread across 4 different activities. We addressed energy concepts associated with both horizontal and vertical springs.


 

January 11, 2023

Turd the Target 1 with Task Tracker

A flock of angry birds is preparing to bombard the new artificial turf on the school's football field and the principal has commissioned the Physics classes to intercept the projectiles before its too late. Students put their projectile problem-solving skills to practice to solve for displacement, initial vx, and initial height. And NOW it all works with Task Tracker so that student progress is saved and teachers can customize the task by discarding any of the six questions.


 

Vibrating Mass on a Spring Video Tutorial

Mr. H dives into the details to discuss the motion of a mass vibrating on both a horizontal and a vertical spring. This is our final video in our Video Tutorial series on Vibrations and Waves.

 

 

January 10, 2023

Mathematics of Standing Wave Video Tutorial

Our Mathematics of Standing Waves Video Tutorial provides a problem-solving framework for approaching standing wave problems and demonstrates its use with six practie problems.


 

Plane Mirror Images Simulation with Task Tracker

One of our popular second semester Interactives is the Plane Mirror Images interactive. It consists of a two-part tutorial. Each tutorial is followed by a brief quiz. Now teachers with Task Tracker accounts can view student progress on the Interactive. Our Task Tracker code is built directly into the Interactive.

 

 

January 9, 2023

Harmonics and Standing Wave Patterns Video Tutorial

Our 14th of 16 planned videos is now live. This one combines awesome animations with highly informative graphics and clear talk to highlight the harmonic patterns and mathematical patterns associated with the harmonics for a vibrating string.

 

Physics Interactives, Newton's Laws: Free-Body Diagrams, The Sequel

For years our most popular Physics Interactive has been the Free-Body Diagrams activity. Now students (and teachers) can have double the fun with our second free-body diagram construction tool. This one has the same feel but includes 12 different scenarios.



 

January 7, 2023

"Maintenance Day"

Several edits, repairs, and improvements were made today. These include the following:

Boundary Behavior Concept Checker:
One of the questions was not allowing enough answer buttons to match the number of option answers.

Inelastic Collision Concept Checker:
Cleared up some ambiguity associated with the pre- and post-collision directions of colliding objects.

Elastic Collision Concept Checker:
Cleared up some ambiguity associated with the pre- and post-collision directions of colliding objects.

Work-Kinetic Energy Simulation:
Small bug that was throwing inconsequential error, looking for a Task Tracker component that did not exist.

 




January 6, 2023

What is a Standing Wave? Video Tutorial

We have made one more step towards completion of our Vibrations and Waves Video Tutorial Series with our newly published What is a Standing Wave? video.

 

Pendulum Motion Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet

Our Pendulum Motion simulation (new) now has a ready-to-use student activity sheet and a Concept Checker to go along with it. For those who do pendulum motion or simple harmonic motion, this could be a welcome addition to your repertoirre.

 

Boundary Behavior of Waves Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet

Our Boundary Behavior of Waves simulation (new) now has a ready-to-use student activity sheet and a Concept Checker to go along with it. There doesn't seem to be much like this combo out there on the web.

 

Standing Wave Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet

Our Standing Wave Maker simulation (it's been around a while) now has a ready-to-use student activity sheet and a Concept Checker to go along with it. We love this one!



Moving in a Vertical Circle Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet

Our Moving in a Vertical Circle simulation (new this past Spring) now has a ready-to-use student activity sheet and a Concept Checker to go along with it. This is a great addition to the site.

 

 

January 5, 2023

Doppler Effect Video Tutorial

Our Doppler Effect Video Tutorial gives equal emphasis on the conceptual and mathematical nature of the Doppler effect. This is our 12th of 16 planned videos for our Vibrations and Waves video tutorial. We should have everything completed in the earlier half of next week.

 

Calculator Pad, Rotational Dynamics, Problem Sets RD7 and RD8

We have uploaded the last two problem sets in the Chapter titled Rotational Dynamics. Problem Set RD7 pertains to rotational kinetic energy and Problem Set RD8 pertains to angular momentum.



 

January 4, 2023

Wave Interference Video Tutorial

Our Wave Interference video has been uploaded to the website and to YouTube. Using informative graphics, animations, and common-sense language, constructive and destructive interference are discussed and the use of the principle of superposition to determine the resultant wave form is demonstrated.

 

Calculator Pad: Rotational Dynamics Overview

We will soon have a couple of new Calculator Pad problem sets on rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum. We have updated our Problem Set Overview page to include tutorial information on these topics.

 



January 3, 2023

Boundary Behavior Video Tutorial

Our Boundary Behavior video is now live. Free end and fixed end reflection and the passage of a wave from one medium to another are all discussed. It's loaded with animations and graphics.

 


 

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