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.
December, 2023
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
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
- Stopping Distance from our Kinematics section
- Coffee Filter Physics Lab from our Newton's Laws section
- Slinky Experiments from our Vibrations and Waves section (an NGSS-aligned activity)
May 18, 2023
Video - Harmonics of Vibrating Strings
May 11, 2023
Video - The Decibel Scale
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
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
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
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"
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
Boundary Behavior of Waves Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet
Standing Wave Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet
Moving in a Vertical Circle Concept Checker to accompany a new Student Activity Sheet
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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