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.
January, 2023
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.
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.
December, 2022
December 26, 2022
Pendulum Motion Concept Checker
We now have a Concept Checker that coordinates nicely with the Pendulum Motion simulation and the accompanying student activity sheet. The three - sim, activity sheet, and Concept Checker - make great ingredients for a lesson plan.
December 23, 2022
Pendulum Motion Activity and Simulation
This Pendulum Motion simulation has been on our site for about a year; it has been named as Vertical Motion Simulator. We have re-purposed it to our Waves and Sound section so that those studying periodic motion can more easily find it. We have created a student activity sheet for it on the topic of Pendulum Motion. We think it is a great complement to some of our more recent additions -
Vibrational Motion Concept Builders and
Vibrational Motion Video Tutorials. And as a spoiler alert: the next logical step is a Concept Checker.
December 22, 2022
Concept Checker for Boundary Behavior of Waves Simulation
We have completed an
student activity sheet to accompany our recently added
Boundary Behavior of Waves simulation. And we have also published an accompanying Concept Checker for the simulation. This triad is powerful - a simulation with the guidance of a student activity sheet acompanied by the Concept Checker to check for conceptual understanding.
December 21, 2022
Task Tracker Upgrade for Turd The Target 2 Simulation
Good news for fans of our Turd The Target 2 simulation. We have uploaded a new version which offers Task Tracker compatibility. Those teachers who have purchases a Task Tracker account and enables the Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers feature can assign this simulation and have student progress tracked. Additionally, they have the capability to throw out Question Groups from among the six different Question Groups. Don't have a Task Tracker account? No problem. It works as it always has. You will simply use the simulation as a Guest.
December 20, 2022
Boundary Behavior of Waves Simulation
While planning an upcoming video tutorial on the boundary behavior of waves, we thought why not make a simulation on the topic. Task completed. Check it out.
December 16, 2022
Today was a Fix-It-Day. A variety of pages around the site received some needed love.Here's a summary:
The moral of the story is: "Life is always easier when you do it right the first time."
December 15, 2022
Frequency-Wavelength-Speed Video Tutorial
Our v = f•lamba video is complete. Our written tutorial on Vibrations and Waves includes five multi-part lessons. We have now completed the equivalent videos for three of those five lessons. We will continue making videos over the next two weeks and upload them during the first week of January. The Tutorial series will be completed during that week.
December 14, 2022
Speed of a Wave Video Tutorial
Our Speed of a Wave video discusses the meaning and mathematics of speed; it includes a couple of sample calculations. Echo/reflection problems are discussed. Experimental data are used to describe what variables affect the speed of a wave.
December 13, 2022
Frequency and Period of a Wave Video Tutorial
Our Frequency and Period of a Wave video includes a short discussion of the meaning of frequency and period and a couple of examples demonstrating how to calculate them. This is our 7th video of 16 total in our series on Vibrations and Waves.
December 12, 2022
Anatomy of a Wave Video Tutorial
Here's our first of several videos for the week. The Anatomy of a Wave details the concepts of wavelength and amplitude for both transverse and longitudinal waves and explains how to count waves in a diagram and determine the wavelength from a diagram. The animations are slick!
December 9, 2022
Categories of Waves Video Tutorial
Our 5th video in our Vibrations and Waves Video Tutorial on the topic of categories of waves is complete.
December 8, 2022
Vibrating Mass on a Vertical Spring: v and F Concept Builder
This is our sixth Concept Builder for our rather new Vibrational Motion section. Learners investigate patterns in how the speed, net force, and individual forces change for a vibrating mass on a vertical spring.
Rotational Dynamics Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
Problem Sets RD5 and RD6 in the Rotational Dynamics chapter of The Calculator Pad are now live. You will find some exceptional applications of rotational physics for your AP Physics 1, Honors Physics, and even AP Physics C classes. Give them a try!
December 6, 2022
What is a Wave? Video Tutorial
Our 4th video in our Vibrations and Waves Video Tutorial is complete. It's filled with animations and clear presentations and sprinkled with a bit of humor. The topic is the nature of a wave.
December 5, 2022
Vibrating Mass on a Horizontal Spring: v and F Concept Builder
This is our fifth Concept Builder for our Vibrational Motion section. We have two more Concept Builders planned for this section. This one focuses on how the speed and net force fluctuate as a mass attached to a spring vibrates horizontally.
December 2, 2022
Pendulum Motion Video Tutorial
Last week we introduced three Concept Builders on pendulum motion. Today we have released the video on the topic. It coordinates great with our Concept Builders. And its the third video of about 18 planned videos in our Vibrations and Waves Tutorials.
November, 2022
November 30, 2022
Period and Frequency of a Mass on a Spring Concept Builder
We have released a new Physics Concept Builder for our Vibrational Motion section. The focus of the Concept Builder is on the meaning and the patterns associated with the period and frequency for the vibrations of a mass on a spring.
November 29, 2022
Periodic Motion Video Tutorial
As we release Concept Builders on this topic, we are also releasing our newly-made Video Tutorials. This is part of a series on Vibrations and Waves. We are pacing ourselves ... 16 more videos to come in the series. We hope to be done by the end of December.
Bug Fixes
Nobody likes bugs ... when they raise their ugly heads inside of web-based software tools. Today was a squash-the-bug day. The following resources received an update:
November 28, 2022
Two-Dimensional Collision Simulator
We have added a new simulation to our Physics Interactives section. It is a powerful collision simulator that allows for the study of one- and two-dimensional collisions with varying COR values. Special thanks go to Physics teacher Martin Kirby who donated it to our collection. We have also created two classroom-ready activity sheets for use with the simulation.
Martin Kirby Simulations
As mentioned directly above, Physics teacher Martin Kirby has donated several simulations to our Physics Interactives section over the past year. We have decided to create a separate page that organizes them all in one spot. The page includes links to his simulations as found on our website and back to his website where you can find additional simulations.
November 25, 2022
Energy of a Pendulum Concept Builder
We completed a new Physics Concept Builder on the topic of pendulum motion and energy. It is part of our rapidly growing Vibrational Motion unit. It would be equally worthy of inclusion in a unit on energy.
November 23, 2022
Rotational Dynamics Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published Problem Set RD3 and RD4 in the Rotational Dynamics chapter of The Calculator Pad. These are great learning tools for an AP Physics 1 or an Honors Physics class.
November 22, 2022
Vibrational Motion Video Tutorial
After several months of inactivity, we dusted off the green screen, turned the studio lights back on, and fired up our video editing software. A few hours later and we're publishing the first video in our Wave Mechanics video tutorial series. We'll be pacing ourselves ... 17 more videos to come in the series.
November 21, 2022
Pendulum Motion: Velocity and Force Concept Builder
As we have been preparing to launch a new Video Tutorial on the topic of Vibrations and Waves. The preparations have prepared numerous ideas for Concept Builders on the topic of pendulum motion. Here is one of those ideas. This provides great practice for all students, but the third activity in particular provides great support for Honors and AP Physics 1 students.
November 18, 2022
Concept Builder: Frequency and Period of a Pendulum
We have a new Physics Concept Builder that targets a students' understanding of the frequency and period of a pendulum. It is the first of several Concept Builders for our new Vibrational Motion chapter.
November 17, 2022
Rotational Dynamics Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have eight problem sets planned for our Rotational Dynamics chapter at The Calculator Pad. We have released the first two problem sets. These are perfect for an AP Physics 1 or an Honors Physics class.
November 16, 2022
The Calculator Pad Improvement
For teachers who use Task Tracker to modify assignments for The Calculator Pad, this improvement will be huge. Our Assignment Builder now allows you to navigate to the Problem Selector and add multiple problems at once without returning to the Assignment Builder after each selection. For those who would like to create customized assignments quickly from our >2500 problems, this can be a real-time saver. A 15-problem assignment (as an example) can now be created within minutes.
November 14, 2022
Solution Equilibria Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have uploaded Problem Sets SAB12 and SAB13 of our Calculator Pad unit on Solution Equilibria. That completes our 9th Chemistry unit at the Calculator Pad. That's plenty of good stuff for Chemistry teachers. We will be returning to this project at a later time. In the meantime, we will be doing some video tutorials.
November 10, 2022
Solution Equilibria Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
Over the last couple of days, we have uploaded Problem Sets SAB6 through SAB11 of our Calculator Pad unit on Solution Equilibria. We have two more problem sets planned for this topic; we should have them done very soon.
November 7, 2022
Solution Equilibria Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have complete Problem Sets SAB3, SAB4, and SAB5 of our Calculator Pad unit on Solution Equilibria. We are now in the weak-acid and weak-base portion of this unit.
November 4, 2022
Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published Problem Set KE8 on the integrated rate law for the Kinetics and Equilibrium unit of The Calculator Pad. We thus have finished our Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Set
Solution Equilibria Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have begun a new Calculator Pad unit - Solution Equilibria. The problem sets will a variety of different styles of Ksp, Ka, and Kb problems. Our first two problems sets have been completed.
November 3, 2022
Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published Problem Set KE7 on the integrated rate law and Problem Set KE15 on the use of ICE tables for the Kinetics and Equilibrium unit of The Calculator Pad. That gives us 14 problem sets of a planned 15. We should finish up the unit in one more day.
November 2, 2022
Rotational Kinematics Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published our last two problem sets for the Rotational Kinematics unit of The Calculator Pad. That completes the chapter on Rotational Kinematics. The Rotational Dynamics chapter is now being written.
Equilibrium ICE Tables Concept Builder
We published version 2.2.1 of our Equilibrium ICE Tables Concept Builder. The update includes an answer key correction to a problem in the Master Difficulty Level and a second correction to the Wizard Level.
October, 2022
October 31, 2022
Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published Problem Sets KE12, KE13, and KE14 for the Kinetics and Equilibrium unit of The Calculator Pad. That gives us 12 problem sets of a planned 15. It won't be long before its done.
October 28, 2022
Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published three more problem sets for the Kinetics and Equilibrium unit of The Calculator Pad. That gives us 9 problem sets of a planned 15, a clear shift in the forward direction.
October 27, 2022
Rotational Kinematics Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published six additional problem sets for the Rotational Kinematics unit of The Calculator Pad. We have two remaining problem sets for this chapter and they are currently under construction. Expect them out very soon.
Trajectory: Horizontally-Launched Projectiles Concept Builder
We published version 2.2.1 of our Horizontally-Launched Projectiles Concept Builder. The update includes (we think) a more appropriate treatment of +/- signs as directional information, distinct from value or magnitude.
October 26, 2022
Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We published two additional problem sets for the Kinetics and Equilibrium unit of The Calculator Pad. We now have a total of six problem sets on the topic of kinetics and rate laws. We have two more to go and then we will start the Equilibrium problem sets.
October 25, 2022
Kinetics and Equilibrium Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have published the first four problem sets for the Kinetics and Equilibrium unit of The Calculator Pad. This is our eighth Chemistry unit. We are planning 15 problem sets for this topic. We could be done this week.
October 20, 2022
Concept Builders - Edits of Various CBs
Several Concept Builders received edits and updates for a variety of reasons. Here's a summary:
Line Spectra: Some interface elements (incorrectly named activities on the Trophy screen and failure for a trophy to display for 2nd activity) were fixed.
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids: The interactive Periodic Table for the 3rd activity now displays the element name and symbol when tapped.
Up and Down: An odd warning that surfaced when a user double-clicked the Check Answer button in the 3rd activity has been fixed.
Trajectory - Angle-Launched Projectiles: An answer key error on Activity 2 was corrected.
October 14, 2022
Molarity and Solutions - Equation Overview Page
We often postpone the creation of the Equation Overview pages in the Chemistry section of the Calculator Pad. We have just added the Overview page for the Molarity and Solutions unit. It provides great help for students.
CalcPad Directions - Viewing Scores and Progress Reports
We have added another set of directions about how to view scores and reports for Calculator Pad tasks.
October 13, 2022
Acids and Bases Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have completed the 11 problem sets for the Acids and Base unit of The Calculator Pad. This is our seventh Chemistry unit. We have a few more planned.
October 12, 2022
Acids and Bases Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have added three more Problem Sets to the Acids and Bases section of our Calculator Pad. Problem Sets AB7 (Dilution), AB8 (Acid-Base Neutralization 1), and AB9 (Acid-Base Neutralization 2) hae been completed and uploaded.
October 11, 2022
Acids and Bases Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
Our newest unit at The Calculator Pad is now emerging. It's titled Acids and Bases and will address topics associated with pH, pOH, acid and base concentration, strong acid dissociation, dilution neutralization, and titration. Topics associated with weak acids and bases and Ka and Kb values will not be included in this unit. Our first 6 Problem Sets ae completed. Good news for Chemistry teachers - we should be finished with the topic this week.
October 10, 2022
Thermochemistry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
The Thermochemistry unit of The Calculator Pad is now complete. This is the 6th unit of Chemistry, giving us a total of 82 problems sets with random numbers that are auto-graded and provide multiple opportunities for correction. That's great practice for Chemistry students. And we're not done.
October 7, 2022
Thermochemistry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We completed Problem Sets TC11 - TC13 in the Thermochemistry unit of CalcPad. There are two more to go and we will be done very soon.
October 5, 2022
Thermochemistry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We completed Problem Sets TC7 - TC10 in the Thermochemistry unit of CalcPad. We expect to be done this week.
October 4, 2022
Thermochemistry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We now have three new problem sets available for the Thermochemistry chapter of The Calculator Pad. Know a chemistry teacher who isn't aware of our resources. Share the love! Tell them about our Concept Builders and CalcPad sections. We sure appreciate it and they will too.
October 3, 2022
Thermochemistry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
There's been a slight change of plans and we are back to making CalcPad Chemistry Problem Sets. We have started our collection of Thermochemistry and Thermodyanamics Problem Sets. There are now three new problem sets available.
September, 2022
September 29, 2022
Stoichiometry Overview
In our rush, we postponed the Equation Overview page of the Stoichiometry unit of The Calculator Pad. It is now finished and uploaded.
September 28, 2022
Electric Two Shell Interactive
Check out our new Interactive - the Electric Two Shell Analysis. It's packed with controls and representations of the electric charge density, the electric field, and electric potential at various locations surrounding a system of two electrically charged, concentric, spherical shells. Special thanks to Physics teacher Martin Kirby for donating the simulation to our collection.
Mass vs. Weight Concept Builder
When it comes to significant digits and calculations, there are some classrooms that follow the rules and others that de-emphasize or even ignore the rules. Accommodating both camps can be challenging and those challenges recently surfaced in our Mass vs. Weight Concept Builder. If have revised some code to make both camps happy. This Concept Builder is 100% free from difficulty surrounding sig figs (or should we say 100.00% free?).
September 27, 2022
Gas Laws Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
Yes. It is finished! Our fifth Chemistry topic for our Calculator Pad has been completed. We will be taking a short pause from CalcPad Chemistry as we give attention to some other sections of the website. We will resume CalcPad Chemistry in late October.
September 26, 2022
Gas Laws Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have uploaded five more Gas Law problem sets for our Gas Law unit. We will be finishing up the topic this week.
September 26, 2022
Gas Laws Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have uploaded five more Gas Law problem sets for our Gas Law unit. We will be finishing up the topic this week.
September 24, 2022
Gas Laws Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We continue to make progress on our Calculator Pad for Chemistry. We have uploaded Problem Sets GL8 and GL9 on the ideal gas law and molar volume. We are half-way done with our Gasl Laws unit and it should be completed by the end of the month.
September 23, 2022
Gas Laws Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have finished three more of the 18 planned problem sets for our Gas Laws unit of the CalcPad. That's seven problem sets in all. Not a Chemistry teacher? Tell someone who is! And if they like these as much as we think they will, ask them for their cookie at the next Faculty luncheon.
September 21, 2022
Gas Laws Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have planned for 18 Problem Sets for our Gas Laws unit at The Calculator Pad. The first four have been published. Not a Chemistry teacher? Tell someone who is! And if they like these as much as we think they will, ask them for their cookie at the next Faculty luncheon.
September 20, 2022
Two-Dimensional Motion Simulator
We have a new simulation in our Physics Interactives section titled Two-Dimensional Motion Simulator. The simulation allows users to set the x- and y-values for the initial position, the initial velocity, and the acceleration of an object. The subsequent motion of the object is animated. There are eight different levels of challenges that can be engaged in with multiple challenges per level. Thanks to Physics teacher Martin Kirby for donating this to our collection.
September 19, 2022
Molarity and Solutions Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have completed the 14 planned Problem Sets for our Molarity and Solutions unit at The Calculator Pad. Not a Chemistry teacher? Tell someone who is! And if they like these as much as we think they will, ask them for their cookie at the next Faculty luncheon.
September 18, 2022
Put the Charge in the Goal Interactive - Upgrade
We have given our Put the Charge in the Goal Interactive an upgrade. This Interactive is a classroom favorite for many teachers and now Task Tracker users can enjoy the use of tracking on the Interactive. If you're a teacher with a Task Tracker subscription for Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers, then you now will be able to track the progress of students on this Interactive.
September 16, 2022
Molarity and Solutions Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have published the 10th and 11th Problem Sets for our Molarity and Solutions unit of The Calculator Pad. The topic is dilution problems. There are three problem sets remaining in this unit. We will have them completed in the early half of next week.
September 15, 2022
Molarity and Solutions Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have published the 8th and 9th Problem Sets for our Molarity and Solutions unit of The Calculator Pad. The topic was Ion Concentrations for aqueous solutions of a dissolved ionic solute.
Physics Overview for Torque and Rotation at The Calculator Pad
We finished our Torque and Rotation Problems Sets about one week ago. We hve now added the Physics Overview page to assist students who are working on the problem sets.
September 14, 2022
Molarity and Solutions Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have published two problem sets on molarity calculations for our Molarity and Solutions unit of The Calculator Pad. This gives use seven problem sets out of the 14 that are planned ... and we are still going strong.
September 13, 2022
Molarity and Solutions Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have published two more problem sets for our Molarity and Solutions unit of The Calculator Pad. This gives use five problem sets out of the 14 that are planned.
September 12, 2022
Molarity and Solutions Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We have begun the creation of problem sets for our Molarity and Solutions unit of The Calculator Pad. Our first three problem sets are published - two on solubility curves and one on concentration as mass percent. Molarity is next.
September 7, 2022
Stoichiometry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We just uploaded Problem Sets ST14 and ST15 on the topic of limiting reactants and Problem Set ST16 titled Balance and Solve. This is completes our unit on Stoichiometry. We will be working on the Chemistry Overview page in the next couple of days.
September 6, 2022
Stoichiometry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We just uploaded Problem Set ST13 on the topic of limiting reactants. It includes five multi-step problems with lots of scaffolding.
September 5, 2022
Stoichiometry Problem Sets at The Calculator Pad
We are making great progress on the Stoichiometry section of CalcPad. We just uploaded Problem Set ST11 and ST12 on the topic of limiting reactants. We are more than half-way done with this section.
September 3, 2022
Rotation and Torque at The Calculator Pad
We have uploaded a huge number of problem sets for our Rotation and Torque section of the Calculator Pad. This is an awesome collection of 14 Problem Sets that is almost certain to help students gain comfort and understanding on how to conduct an analysis of the torques on a beam (and other objects).
September 2, 2022
Reaction Stoichiometry at The Calculator Pad
We've uploaded Problem Sets ST7 and ST8 for our Stoichiometry unit at The Calculator Pad. Both problem sets include problems involving three-step conversions from grams of reactant to grams of product (or vice versa).
August, 2022
August 30, 2022
Reaction Stoichiometry at The Calculator Pad
We've uploaded Problem Sets ST5 and ST6 for our Stoichiometry unit at The Calculator Pad. Both problem sets include problems involving three-step conversions from grams of reactant to grams of product (or vice versa). Both sets include "nice" numbers and lots of scaffolding.
August 29, 2022
Reaction Stoichiometry at The Calculator Pad
We've uploaded Problem Sets ST3 and ST4 for our Stoichiometry unit at The Calculator Pad. Both problem sets include problems involving two-step conversions from moles of reactant or product to mass of reactant or product (or vice versa).
August 28, 2022
Even More Chemistry at The Calculator Pad
We've taken a different strategy for our CalcPad Chemistry updates. Rather than wait for all problem sets within a topic to be completed before publishing the topic, we will update a problem set once it is completed. And so we have now published the first two problem sets in the Stoichiometry section. We have a lot more to go.
August 26, 2022
More Chemistry at The Calculator Pad
Hey Chemistry teachers! You have one more reason to love The Physics Classroom. Actually, you have 14 more reasons to love The Physics Classroom. We have just released 14 new CalcPad problem sets on the topic of moles, mole conversions, % composition, amd more. Check them out. Tell a friend.
August 12, 2022
Chemistry at The Calculator Pad
This is different ... a set of Chemistry problem sets for our new Calculator Pad section covering the topic of Units and Measurement. Showing love to Chemistry teachers. We'll have to see where this one goes. The last time we started dabbling in Chemistry we ended up making 65 or more Chemistry Concept Builders.
August 9, 2022
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers
We had earlier installed Task Tracker code directly into several of our Physics Interactives. A display problem was discovered that falsely indicated a discarded question by a
big X. We have fixed the following affected Interactives:
Chart That Motion and
Name That Image. That should be it for fixes.
August 7, 2022
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers
August 5, 2022
Task Tracker Directions for Calculator Pad
Our Task Tracker directions for using The Calculator Pad are under construction. The first batch of documents was uploaded today. The next batch should arrive early next week.
August 3, 2022
The Store
We updated our Store - improved our organization, highlighted our ad-free options, and added information about our two downloads - the Solutions Guide download and our Question Bank download.
August 2, 2022
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers (Documentation)
We have added documentation to our Concept Checkers section, describing with some details how to use the Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers. This section is largely done ... though we plan to add several more Concept Checkers over the course of the next few months.
July, 2022
July 29, 2022
Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers (Teacher Resources)
We made revisions to the Concept Checker Task Tracker pages. We have linked each of the Preview Pages to the corresponding assigned task. We're getting ready for August 1 - the start of the new subscription season.
Calculator Pad - Refraction and Lenses
We have finished writing and proof-reading our Refraction and Lenses problems for The Calculator pad. This section included 20 problem sets on refraction, Snell's Law, total internal reflection and critical angle, convering lenses, and diverging lenses.
July 28, 2022
Calculator Pad - Equation Overviews
We completed the remaining units (Waves and Optics units) of The Calculator Pad. More back-end code to support Calculator Pad has been uploaded, refined, and tested. We also updated our Privacy Policy.
July 27, 2022
Calculator Pad - Equation Overviews
We did some serious edits to our Equation Overview pages for the Calculator Pad. We re-did graphics, fixed spelling and punctuation issues, added links to our video tutorials on YouTube, and (where appropriated) added some paragraphs to address new problem types. The Equation Overviews for Mechanics and Electricity are complete.
July 24, 2022
Calculator Pad - Light Waves
We uploaded the Light Waves problem sets for the Calculator Pad. That's about 10 problem sets on various topics associated with light speed, v=f•lambda, Doppler Shift, and Two-Point Source Interference. There is now a single subject left and it will be out this week. We continue to update, refine and releast backend code for Task Tracker. We are convinced that The Calculator Pad will be ready on or before the start of the new subscription year (August 1). And then ... you can start using it as we seek to make it even better.
July 21, 2022
Calculator Pad - Reflection and Mirrors
We uploaded the Reflection and Mirrors problem sets for the Calculator Pad. That's about 12 problem sets on various topics associated with plane mirrors, concave mirrors, and convex mirrors. There are now two subjects left and they are coming soon. Meanwhile, our backend code for Task Tracker is continuing to be developed and uploaded in small pieces. We are convinced that The Calculator Pad will be ready on or before the start of the new subscription year (August 1).
July 19, 2022
Calculator Pad - Electric Circuits
We uploaded the Electric Circuits problem sets for the Calculator Pad. That's about 15 problem sets on various topics associated with electric circuit mathematics. There's three subjects left and they are coming soon.
July 14, 2022
Calculator Pad, Version 2.0
We have uploaded a humongous amount of code and content to support our new version of the Calculator Pad. This update includes problem sets for most of mechanics, static electricity, vibrations and waves, and sound waves. We are still working on the teacher portal that integrates with Task Tracker. The remaining topics will be uploaded over the course of the next couple of weeks. We are confident that everything will be ready by the start of the subscription season - August 1.
July 1, 2022
Calculator Pad Update
We are always busy at The Physics Classroom. Development is always ongoing. But sometimes there are periods of time in which nothing new arrives on the website. This doesn't mean that nothing is going on. Rather, it means that something really BIG is going on and it just hasn't been completed. That's been the case over the past month. A project we started in January - the Calculator Pad - is now in high gear. All our time and energy is being poured into the project at the moment. We suspect that in about two weeks we will be able to upload a huge portion of it from our Development server to the live server. We can't wait for you to see it. But you are going to have to wait just a little longer.
June, 2022
June 18, 2022
Update Regarding The Calculator Pad Update
Development of the newest version of The Calculator Pad has continued. As of this writing, seven of the 15 units have been completed. All back-end code has been entered. We are anticipating more than 1400 problems, many of which are multi-part problems. These problems will be organized into more than 200 ready-to-use problem sets. Task Tracker subscribers will have the ability to modify our ready-to-use problem sets, write their own problems, and create their own problem sets. We expect to have everything finished by August 1. And we have postponed an initial upload of currently-completed work until July.
June 1, 2022
Calculator Pad Update
We are always busy at The Physics Classroom. Development is always ongoing. But sometimes there are periods of time in which nothing new arrives on the website. This doesn't mean that nothing is going on. Rather, it means that something really BIG is going on and it just hasn't been completed. That's been the case over the past month. A project we started in January - the Calculator Pad - is now in high gear. All our time and energy is being poured into the project at the moment. We suspect that in about two weeks we will be able to upload a huge portion of it from our Development server to the live server. We can't wait for you to see it. But you are going to have to wait just a little longer.
May, 2022
May 15, 2022
Vertical Circle Simulation
Our newest Interactive is a simulation of the motion of an object in a vertical circle. The Interactive is filled with opportunities to explore the effect of one variable on another. There are four basic motions to study:
- The motion of a ball on the end of a light string.
- The moton of a ball on the end of a light, rigid rod.
- The motion of a ball on the inside wall of a circular loop.
- The motion of a ball that rolls down a ramp into a circular loop.
We will soon have a classroom-ready activity sheet for use with the simulation. Special thanks to Martin Kirby for making this generous contribution to our Interactives collection.
The Store
We have updated our Store in preparation for orders for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. We are adding two additional Task Tracker features - the Calculator Pad and Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers. Our Store now reflects those additions. And we have updated our price list to reflect the changes. This includes the offering of three bundled specials. And we have included a new
Seat Calculator. Many other pages on the site have been changed to be consistent with the changes at the Store.
April, 2022
April 29, 2022
Physics Interactives - Balance It!
Version 2 of our Balance It! Interactive is now Task Tracker compatible. With 20 different levels, teachers may wish to take advantage of the ability to discard one or more of the levels. That will be a piece of cake with a Task Tracker account.
April 28, 2022
Slinky Wave Simulator Concept Checker
Concept Checker #52 is now out. If you've not tried one, perhaps its time to give one a test drive? The proposed idea is: 1) Have students do the simulation (use our activity sheet). 2) Process the activity. 3) Perhaps fit in a short lab, demonstration, or other follow-up activity. 4) Then close with the Concept Checker.
Miscellaneous Edits:
It's never fun doing edits. But edits have to be done. Today's edits include:
April 27, 2022
Orbital Motion Concept Checker
We have released a Concept Checker to accompany our Orbital Motion simulation from the Physics Interactives section. The Concept Checker focuses on the magnitude and direction of the velocity and net force vectors for an elliptical orbit of a satellite.
Egg Drop Concept Checker - Revision
We have uploaded a Version 1.0.2 of our Egg Drop Concept Checker. This fixes an earlier bug that caused the Concept Checker to freeze when students answered the 13th question correctly. All is good now.
April 26, 2022
Young's Experiment Interactive
We just updated our Young's Experiment simulation to include Task Tracker code. Student progress is stored in the Task Tracker database for any student in an active subscription. Teachers can also shorten the assignment from three questions to one or two questions and set a miss penalty as a precaution against random guessing.
April 25, 2022
Who Can See Who? Concept Checker
The
Who Can See Who? Interactive is a useful tool for helping students understand what objects can be seen in a mirror from a given vantage point. It does have the major drawback that students can guess and check their way through it as feedback is immediate and very specific. We now have a Concept Checker for this Interactive. With a large array of questions from which to select, there won't be a whole lot of guess-and-check-success with the Concept Checker.
Horizontal Circle Concept Checker
Our Horizontal Circle Simulator was added a couple of months ago. And now we have a Concept Checker to complement it. As of this addition, we now have 48 Concept Checkers for use with Physics Interactives.
April 23, 2022
Equivalent Resistance Interactive
The Equivalent Resistance Interactive is a 18-level game-like challenge found in the
Electric Circuits section of our Physics Interactives. Students are given a set of resistors in series, parallel, or combination and must determine from a set of options which resistor values go with each resistor in order to provide a specified equivalent resistance. It is now Task Tracker compatible and offers all the features available to any Task Tracker user.
April 22, 2022
Go For The Gold Interactive
The Go For The Gold Interactive is a 16-level game-like challenge fround in the
Forces in Two Dimensions section of our Physics Interactives. Students must add gold coins to a bag without breaking the rope. If the rope breaks they lose the coins. If they add the maximum number of coinswithout breaking the rope, they keep the coins and earn
the star. Now the simulation is equipped with Task Tracker code to save student results in our database. It still works just the same as a Guest but the ability for instructors to both eliminate the more difficulty levels and be able to view student progress is a huge benefit.
April 20, 2022
Vector Addition Concept Checker
Our Vector Addition Concept Checker complements our Vector Addition Interactive. It includes 5 multi-part questions that emphasize the use of a component analysis to determine the magnitude and direction of a resultant formed by the addition of three angled vectors.
Stopping Distance Concept Checker
Our Stopping Distance simulation from the
Work and Energy section of the Physics Interactives simulates the motion of a toy car rolling down an inclined track and striking a box at the bottom of the incline and skidding to a stop. The goal of the Interactive is to investigate the effect of the initial height upon the speed at the bottom and the distance the car (and box) skid to a stop. Now the simulation has a Concept Checker as a follow-up.
April 19, 2022
Physics Interactives: Chart That Motion
Our Chart That Motion Interactive in the Physics Interactives section provides a student engaging practice with the use of work-energy bar charts to describe the motion of an object. We have now equipped it with Task Tracker functionality and improved (we hope) the interface.
April 18, 2022
Physics Interactives: Name That Image
Our Name That Image Interactive now has Task Tracker compatibility. It can be used as a Guest in the usual manner or it can be used as a logged-in Task Tracker student. Teachers with Task Tracker accounts will be able to assign this, customize it (throw out Questions), set partial scoring rules, and monitor student progress. Students will have their results saved at any point in their progression through the activity. Guest usage will remain exactly as it has been in the past with the added security advantage of answers being stored behind the firewall.
Physics Interactives: Name That Vector
Our Name That Vector Interactive also has built-in Task Tracker compatibility.
April 16, 2022
Physics Interactives: Name That Charge
We have released Version 3 of our Name That Charge Interactive. The redo has furnished the Interactive with Task Tracker functionality, secured answers on the server, and improved some wording of questions. This is our fourth Interactive that we have incorporated Task Tracker code directly into the Interactive. This allows for teacher viewing of student progress and student ability to save their progress (among other advantages).
April 14, 2022
Physics Interactives: Free-Body Diagrams
Our Free-Body Diagrams Interactive is immensely popular. But what has been missing is an ability to track students' progress. And now that's no longer missing. We implemented some Task Tracker code to track the progress of students through a Task Tracker account. Students with Task Tracker accounts can now save their work and continue where they left off. All the old functionality has remained.
April 13, 2022
Physics Interactives: Graph That Motion
Two of our most popular simulations are the Name That Motion and the Graph That Motion simulations. Each involve the task of observing an animation and matching it to either a verbal description or a graphical description. Our newest versions are now Task Tracker comptatible. This provides the simulation added security and the ability to use with (or even without) a Task Tracker account for the tracking and storage of student progress. Each has an updated set of animations that work well on all devices and in all browsers.
April 12, 2022
Physics Interactives: Name That Motion
We have implemented some code within our Name That Motion simulation that makes it Task Tracker compatible. We also updated the animations to a different format for improved compatibility with more devices and browsers. The Task Tracker code will allow teachers to customize and assign the simulation with scoring rules for partial and complete progress. Student partial and completed progress records can be saved and retrieved.
Physics Interactives: Task Tracker Compatibility
We added an announcement and
a page of information about the use of Task Tracker with the Physics Interactives section. This feature will be available in the Fall of 2022. We are currently in the beta-testing and development stage. You can always check out and use what we make at anytime. But during this beta-testing and development period, Task Tracker compatibility is only available to students who have a Minds On Physics Task Tracker account.
April 8, 2022
Filtering Away Concept Checker
During the school closures of the COVID 19 pandemic, we converted a classroom lab to an interactive simulation. It was called the
Filtering Away simulation. Now we have a Concept Checker to go with it. Whether you do the hands-on lab (recommended) or the simulation (your best alternative if the equipment is not available), this 6-Question Concept Checker makes a great follow-up.
April 7, 2022
Charging Simulation - Student Exercise
Our
Charging simulation in the Physics Interactives has lived for years without an accompanying classroom activity. That just changed. We have just published a classroom-ready student exercise for use with the Charging simulation. The activity focuses on the charging by induction process and the grounding process.
Charging Concept Checker
This 9-question Concept Checker coordinates with our Student Exercise (above) and accompanying simulation. Put the three of them together and you have a great lesson plan in the making.
April 6, 2022
Voltage Drop Analysis Concept Checker
Our DC Circuit Builder simulation is abnormally popular ... especially this time of the year. There are five classroom-ready exercises for use with the interactive. We just added a fourth Concept Checker to the collection that coordinates with the simulation and accompanying activities.
Skydiving Simulation - Student Exercise
Most of the simulations in our Physics Interactives section are accompanied by a classroom-ready exercise that can be used by teachers who are incorporating the simulation into a lesson plan. We have prepared the student activity for our Skydiving simulation.
Skydiving Concept Checker
Now that there is student exercise to accompany the Skydiving simulation, why not have a Concept Checker? Done. Check out this 5-question Concept Checker that gets right to the point of the simulation.
April 5, 2022
Total Internal Reflection Concept Checker
Our 30th Concept Checker is now live. It coordinates with
Exercise 3: Total Internal Reflection and can be used as a follow-up to the Refraction simulation in our Physics Interactives section.
Elevator Ride Concept Checker
Our 31st Concept Checker is now live. It provides support for the Elevator Ride simulation found in the Newton's Law area of our Physics Interactives section.
April 4, 2022
Classroom Support for Refraction Simulation
Refraction Concept Checker
And here's one more reason to use the Refraction simulation. This 6-question Concept Checker will provide refinforcement on the manner in which light bends at the boundary.
April 3, 2022
Wave Addition Concept Checker
Our 28th Concept Checker is now complete. If you've not tried pairing a Concept Checker with a simulation from our Physics Interactives section, perhaps you need to give one a try. They're free and you don't need an account to use them (though an account would improve the experience). Make the pairing part of one of your upcoming lesson plans.
April 2, 2022
River Boat Simulator Concept Checker
This 8-Question Concept Checker provides students a great check-up on understanding the interdependence between variables for a boat crossing a river.
Wave Addition Simulation
This is an awesome simulation that's been on our website for a couple of years but the widget needed a change in aspect ratio. We think we have found the perfect aspect ratio and the sim now displays nicely. Enjoy!
April 1, 2022
Painting With CMY Concept Checker
Those who are teaching or learning the physics of color addition and subtraction will enjoy our newest Concept Checker on Painting With CMY. Use the simulation to learn about the mixing of color pigments and use the Concept Checker as a check of your understanding.
A Few Edits
March, 2022
March 31, 2022
Stage Lighting Concept Checker
We think some of our Light and Color simulations are the best among the group. And now the Stage Lighting simulation has a companion Concept Checker. For teachers and classrooms, the suggested use is: (1) Do the simulation with the help of the accompanying classroom exercise. (2) Process the activity with the class. (3) Assign the Concept Checker as a follow-up ... either immediately or soon thereafter.
March 30, 2022
Fish Catch Concept Checker
The Fish Catch simulation is a good example of a simulation that was waiting for some next-step tool to solidify the learning. That wait is over. We now have a Concept Checker for it. Combining the
simulation with
the classroom exercise and following it up with the Concept Checker makes for a great lesson plan that blends physics and proportional reasoning skills.
Exploding Carts Concept Checker
Like our Fish Catch simulation, the Exploding Carts simulation was in need of a companion tool to check on understanding. Inspired by the
accompanying classroom activity, the questions in this Concept Checker will have students thinking in terms of ratios to predict the post-explosion velocity of a cart from knowlege of their masses.
March 29, 2022
It's All Uphill Concept Checker
This 5-question Concept Checker will provide an awesome means of checking on student understanding of the It's All Uphill Concept Checker.
Electric Field Lines Concept Checker
The combining of our Electric Field Line simulator, the accompanying classroom exercise, and our newest Concept Checker is sure to put a serious student at the top of the class when it comes to understanding electric field line configurations.
March 28, 2022
Projectile Simulator 2 Concept Checker
Our Projectile Simulator is now accompanied by a Concept Checker. Do the simulation utilizing our
classroom-ready exercise (on horizontally-launched projectiles) and then follow it up with the Concept Checker.
Projectile Simulator 3 Concept Checker
More good news for users of our Projectile Simulator. We now have a second Concept Checker for angle-launched projectiles. It coordinates with our accompanying
classroom-ready exercise on the same topic.
March 25, 2022
Gravitational Field Strength Concept Builder
Like the updates on the previous two days, this is a complete overhaul of a previously existing Concept Builder to fix functionality in Chrome OS. All is working now.
Electric Field Strength Concept Builder
Fixed a bad graphic and improved the look of the Progress Reports for all three activities.
March 24, 2022
Trajectory: Angle-Launched Concept Builder
We have four Concept Builders which need to be re-done due to some issues on the newest version of Chrome OS. This is the second of the four. Some other bugs (bad links to Help pages and some conflicting info in Activity 3 questions) that were present in the original version have also been fixed.
March 23, 2022
Up and Down Concept Builder
Due to some reports that our Up and Down Concept Builder was failing on some most recent versions of Chrome OS, we re-did the tool from the ground up. It works great now. And it is such a great tool for exploring 1-D free fall motion.
March 18, 2022
Minds On Physics, Mission LC9
Mission LC9 from the Light and Color module was not completed (unknowingly) during the summer frenzy of MOP development. It has just been created and is working well.
DC Circuit Builder (Parallel Circuits) Concept Checker
This is our third Concept Checker to align with one of our five DC Circuit Builder activities.
March 17, 2022
Uniform Circular Motion Concept Checker
Our Uniform Circular Motion Concept Checker is now available. It coordinates nicely with the corresponding activity sheet and simulation found in the Physics Interactives section. Students are sure to solidify the direction of the velocity and acceleration vectors for an object moving in a circle at a constant speed. That will be a win!
March 16, 2022
Egg Drop Concept Checker
Our Egg Drop Concept Checker is now available. Avoid the mess or enhance the mess with our Egg Drop simulation and use the Concept Checker as a check for understanding. It's Egg-xellent!
Roller Coaster Model Concept Checker
Our Roller Coaster Model simulation is very popular. And now we have a Concept Checker to go with it. With 32 questions organized into 8 question groups, teachers can't make this a central part of their lesson plan and walk out of the room knowing where students are at with regards to the lesson.
March 15, 2022
Force Concept Checker
Our 13th Concept Checker is now out - the Force Concept Checker that coordinates with our Force simulation that centers on Newton's second law of motion. We designed to coordinate with our
classroom-ready activity for the simulation. That makes a great pair - simulation/activity sheet and Concept Checker!
Aluminum Can Polarization Concept Checker
Our 12th Concept Checker is now out - the Aluminum Can Polarization Concept Checker. We're on a roll. Check one of these Concept Checkers out and see how you might use it in your lesson plan. You can't beat the price - FREE.
March 14, 2022
Optics Bench (Concave Mirrors) Concept Checker
Our 11th Concept Checker is out this morning - the Concave Mirror Concept Checker that coordinates with our Optics Bench simulation. Whether you have or do not have a Task Tracker account, this is a great tool. Use it as a follow up to the simulation. It's a great way to close a lesson plan.
March 13, 2022
Gravitational Fields Concept Checker
A Concept Checker for our Gravitational Fields simulation is now available. It includes eight basic Question Groups and an awesome question-delivery engine. This makes a great means for checking on student understanding after completing the Gravitational Fields simulation. These are designed to be used with
the existing activity, preferrably in the classroom.
March 12, 2022
Optics Bench (Converging Lenses) Concept Checker
Our Optics Bench Simulator is popular this time of year. Our newest Concept Checker coordinates with the converging lens mode of the simulation.
March 11, 2022
RGB Color Addition Concept Checker
We have been making speedy progress on our Concept Checker project. Our 9th interactive Concept Checker is now available. The RGB Color Addition is a popular simulation from our Interactives section. And now it can be paired with a Concept Checker.
March 10, 2022
Rocket Sled Simulation Concept Checker
A Concept Checker for our Rocket Sled Simulation is now available. There is a heavy emphasis on connecting the forces that are exerted on the sled (and their relative strength) to whether the object will speed up, slow down, or continue at a constant speed.
Circuit Builder Simulation Concept Checker
Our very popular Circuit Builder simulation is accompanied by five classroom-ready exercises. This Concept Builder focuses on one of those exercises - the one pertaining to Series Circuits. It's the second Concept Checker for use with this simulation.
March 9, 2022
Simple Wave Simulator Concept Checker
A Concept Checker for our Simple Wave Simulator is now available. If you've not checked out our Concept Checkers, you owe it to yourself to do so. They provide great closure to online activities like our simulations. They can be used in the classroom or independently by students who are simply trying to learn.
Circuit Builder Simulation Concept Checker
Our Circuit Builder simulation is a multi-faceted simulation that allows a user to explore simple circuits, series circuits, parallel circuits, and more. We've created five classroom-ready exercises for use with the simulation. This Concept Builder focuses on one of those exercises - the one pertaining to the relationship between current, resistance, and battery voltage for simple circuits.
March 8, 2022
Coulomb's Law Concept Checker
A Concept Checker for our Coulomb's Law simulation is now available. Eight basic Question Groups and an awesome question-delivery engine provide a great means for checking on student understanding. These are designed to be used with an existing activity, preferrably in the classroom.
March 7, 2022
Collision Carts - Inelastic Collisions Concept Checker
We have released our second Concept Checker for our Collision Carts simulation. It is one of our more popular sims and the Concept Checker will provide students (and teachers) a quick check of their ability to conduct a momentum analysis and of their understanding of the law of momentum conservation.
Collision Carts - Elastic Collisions Concept Checker
Why stop at one Concept Checker. We also released a second Concept Checker today for the same Collision Carts simulation. This one takes a different angle, emphasizing the elastic collision mode of the simulation.
March 5, 2022
Race Track Concept Checker
What if after a student (or class of students) did a simulation or read a Tutorial page, they were provided the option of checking to see if they got the concept? That would be a Concept Checker ... and we made our first one. Pretty cool. More to come.
March 4, 2022
Work-Kinetic Energy Interactive: Activity 2
We have completed a second classroom activity for the Interactive added yesterday. This activity is more in-depth than the first and takes a guided inquiry approach to the relationship between work and kinetic energy.
March 3, 2022
Work-Kinetic Energy Interactive
We have been on a simulation streak as of late. Simulations admittedly take more time to produce. But the products are well worth the time spent. This one on the topic of work and kinetic energy is filled with variables to manipulate and representations to view. There will be two classroom-ready activities for using the simulation with a Physics class. The first is available. We are still working on the second.
February, 2022
Febuary 26, 2022
The Barrel Ride Simulator
Walk through the door and enter the barrel. The door latches shut, the motor revs up, the barrel starts spinning, the floor is pulled from out from under the riders, and the riders scream. For some, it's more fun to watch the ride than to ride it. But now you get to design it. Modify the parameters that influence the thrill and safety of the ride. And best of all, nobody is going to file a lawsuit if you get a bit too ambitious. Have some phun!
Febuary 23, 2022
Horizontal Circle Simulation
Our newest Interactive is a simulation of the motion of an object (actually three objects) in a horizontal circle. The Interactive is filled with opportunities to explore the effect of one variable on another. There are mulitple displays or representations and the animation can be viewed from multiple angles. We have provided a classroom-ready activity sheet for use with the simulation. Special thanks to Martin Kirby for making this generous contribution to our Interactives collection.
Febuary 22, 2022
Go For The Gold! Interactive
This new interactive is the second interactive for our relatively new Forces in Two Dimensions section. Using Newton's laws and vector components, students determine the number of gold coins that can be added to a bag without breaking the rope(s) that it is suspended from. It has a game-like feel with 16 difficulty levels. We love it! Hope you do too.
Febuary 18, 2022
Trajectory Interactive
We love this one! It's the two-dimensional version of our Falling Bodies 1D program we uploaded earlier this week. It models the motion of an airborne object under the influence of air resistance. The numerical modeling puts out an easy to navigate tabular and graphical display with downloadable plots. And the classroom exercise will get your students thinking!
Febuary 16, 2022
Uploaded Some Fixes
Febuary 15, 2022
Falling Bodies - 1D Interactive
No need for the "Ignore air resistance" comments with this interactive. It was made to not ignore air resistance. Learners enter properties of a falling object (including profile area and drag coefficient) and explore the motion characteristics of a falling object.
Febuary 10, 2022
Ideal Gas Behavior Simulation
We are breaking the mold here with our first Chemistry simulation. Special thanks to Martin Kirby for donating this Chem gem.
Febuary 9, 2022
Cell Voltage Concept Builder
The 24 questions and 12 Question Groups of this Concept Builder will provide learners plenty of practice determining which half-reactions will occur in a galvanic cell and determining the overall cell voltage.
Febuary 7, 2022
Reduction Potential Concept Builder
This Reduction Potential Concept Builder will help students improve their confidence with the use of the Reduction Potential Table to rank the strength of oxidizing and reducing agents and to predict which redox reactions will be spontaneous.
Febuary 3, 2022
Galvanic Cells Concept Builder
Our 64th Chemistry Concept Builder is now live. The Galvanic Cells Concept Builder will provide plenty of practice with the diagramming of galvanic cells.
Febuary 1, 2022
Fix the Problems Day
January, 2022
January 31, 2022
Oxidation-Reduction Concept Builder
This Concept Builder introduces students to the concept of oxidation and reduction and the manner in which a redox equation can be analyzed in order to determine the element being oxidized and the element being reduced.
January 28, 2022
Oxidation States Concept Builder
Our 62nd Chemistry Concept Builder is now live. This simple tool challenges students to inspect a formula and use the rules for assigning oxidation states to determine the oxidation state of the elements in the formula. It is the first of many more Concept Builders under our new Electrochemistry heading.
January 27, 2022
Video Integration with Minds On Physics
We have completed three series of videos in our Video Tutorial since September of this school year. We created links to each of our videos from within the corresponding Minds On Physics sections. Those links now display to logged-in students when they prepare to start a mission from within Task Tracker. They also display to all students on the mission pages.
January 26, 2022
Young's Experiment Simulation
In response to user feedback regarding answer key ambiguity, we have redone our Young's Experiment simulation from the Physics Interactives section.
January 25, 2022
Video Tutorial: Combination Circuits
Our 16th and final video in our Electric Circuits Tutorial Series has been posted. The video discusses combination circuits and how to analyze them.
January 24, 2022
Video Tutorial: Parallel Circuit Analysis
This the 15th of 16 planned videos in our Electric Circuits Tutorial Series. The video includes a quick review of mathematical relationships for parallel circuits and then launches into three example problems.
January 23, 2022
Video Tutorial: Parallel Circuit Relationships
This the 14th of 16 planned videos in our Electric Circuits Tutorial Series. The video discusses the variety of mathematical patterns and relationships associated with the current, resistance, and voltage drops within a parallel circuit. Numerous examples are given.
January 21, 2022
Video Tutorial: Series Circuit Analysis
This 6-minute video provides the viewer a quick overview of the mathematical relationships in series circuits and then provides a thorough analysis of two series circuits followed by a third practice problem.
January 20, 2022
Video Tutorial: Series Circuit Relationships
This 12-minute video offers a thorough discussion of series circuits and the relationships between current, resistance, battery voltage, and the voltage drops across the resistors. Numerous examples are given.
January 19, 2022
Video Tutorial: Comparing Series and Parallel Circuits
We are making great progress on our Electric Circuit Video Tutorial Series. The series mirrors our written Tutorial. We have completed the first three of four lessons. This video on Series vs. Parallel Circuits takes us 2/5-ths of the way through the fourth lesson.
January 17, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electrical Power Equations
Our 10th video of our Electric Circuits Video Tutorial focuses on the derivation of three electric power equations. The use of the equations is discussed.
January 15, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electrical Resistance
Our 9th video of our Electric Circuits Video Tutorial details the so-called Ohm's Law equation. The emphasis is on the use of he equation as a guide to thinking about how the variation in one quantity affects another quantity.
January 14, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electrical Resistance
Our 8th video of our Electric Circuits Video Tutorial is now complete. The topic is electrical resistance. We are half-way done with our Tutorial.
January 13, 2022
Video Tutorial: Common Misconceptions About Circuits
We continue to roll out our videos this week. This one on student pre-conceptions and their impact on learning about circuits is one of our favorites. It packs a heavy punch in 9 minutes of time.
January 12, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electric Power
We have completed and uploaded our video on electric power. It's the sixth video of 16 planned videos in our Electric Circuits Video Tutorial Series. We have two more planned for this week.
January 11, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electric Current
We have completed and uploaded our video on electric current. It's the fifth video of 16 planned videos in our Electric Circuits Video Tutorial Series.
January 10, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electric Circuits and Their Requirements
We are prepped to do 4-5 videos for our Circuits Tutorial this week. This is the first video and correlates to the first two pages of Lesson 2 in our written Tutorial.
January 7, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electric Potential Difference
Our third video from the Electric Circuits collection describes and explains the changes that occur in electric potential as a charge traverses an electric circuit.
January 6, 2022
Concept Builder Updates
It's not our favorite task but it's essential - fixing errors. Two Concept Builders received an update today. The
Words and Charts Concept Builder from the Work and Energy section had an odd bug that prevented the doing of Wizard level if Immortal Sage Level was completed first. Version 2.2.1 has the update. And our
Being Impulsive About Momentum Concept Builder had an answer key error correction. Version 2.2.2 has the update.
January 6, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electric Potential
Our newest video from the Electric Circuits collection explains what electric potential is and why it is a purely location-dependent quantity.
January 5, 2022
Video Tutorial: Electric Potential Energy
We have begun our Electric Circuits video tutorial. This is the first of 16 planned videos. We are anticipating the completion of three videos a week over the next six weeks.
January 3, 2022
Hess's Law Concept Builder
This Hess's Law CB is the last of our surge of Concept Builders for Thermal Chemistry and Thermodynamics. Our interactive elements for manipulating equations make it worth at least taking a look.
December, 2021
December 29, 2021
Heat of Formation Concept Builder
This new Chemistry Concept Builder is packed with interactivity. Students make decisions about how to change reactants into products through formation and decomposition reactions. They decide on the ∆H of each step and use the results to determine ∆H of the reaction.
December 28, 2021
Navigational Improvements to Chemistry Concept Builders
We added some features to the Chemistry section of our Concept Builders to make the lengthy list more easily navigable. That will help for now ... eventually we'll have to consider a separate Chemistry site. (Something to look forward to.)
December 23, 2021
Gibb's Free Energy Concept Builder
This is the perfect follow-up to the Concept Builder published one day earlier on Spontaneity. Students use the Gibb's Free Energy equation to predict spontaneity.
December 22, 2021
Spontaneity and Driving Forces Concept Builder
We are continuing to fill out the Thermodynamics topic for our Chemistry Concept Builders with this gem on Spontaneity.
December 20, 2021
Entropy Concept Builder
Our Entropy Concept Builder is our 57th Chemistry Concept Builder and one more reason for Chemistry teachers to love The Physics Classroom.
December 17, 2021
Thermal Stoichiometry Concept Builder
Our Thermal Stoichiometry Concept Builder is now live. It's the fourth Chemistry Concept Builder in our Thermal Chemistry sub-section.
December 16, 2021
Enthalpy Change Concept Builder
The concept of an enthalpy change can be difficult for students. This will help. Our 55th Chemistry Concept Builder will touch on many of the troubling aspects of enthalpy change.
December 13, 2021
Measuring the Quantity of Heat Concept Builder
Get your students doing the Q=m•C•∆T with our new Concept Builder on calorimetry. This is the first of several thermodynamics/thermal chemistry Concept Builders that will come out in the next few weeks.
December 10, 2021
Weightlessness in Orbit Video Tutorial
This is our final video in our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation. The video addresses the question of what causes orbiting astronauts to feel weightless.
December 8, 2021
Mathematics of Satellite Motion Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation is the 12th video of 13. It addresses the use of mathematical equations describing satellites.
December 7, 2021
Kepler's Laws Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation discusses Kepler's laws of planetary motion. Considerable attention is given to the third law.
Satellite Motion Principles Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation discusses how basic circular motion principes can be applied to understanding what a satellite is and how it moves
December 6, 2021
The Value of g Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation discusses how universal gravitation is used to determine a formula for gravitational field strength.
December 2, 2021
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation discusses Newton's Universal Gravitation equation and models its use through four example problems.
December 1, 2021
The Apple, The Moon, and Universal Gravitation Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation discusses the thinking of Isaac Newton as he attempted to assert that the motion of the moon and the planets was caused by the force of gravity.
November, 2021
November 30, 2021
The Physics of Roller Coasters Video Tutorial
This video tutorial from our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation discusses the physics underlying the thrill and safety of roller coaster rides. It includes three examples of force analyes of circular sections.
November 29, 2021
States of Matter Concept Builder
Our States of Matter Concept Builder in the Chemistry section is now available. The emphasis is on how the particle characteristics of each state relates to the observable properties.
November 24, 2021
Molecular Polarity Concept Builder
We have added a final Concept Builder to the Atomic and Molecular Models section of our Chemistry Concept Builders.
November 21, 2021
Bond Polarity Concept Builder
We are filling out the section of Chemistry Concept Builders titled Atomic and Molecular Models with this Concept Builder on covalent bonds and bond polarity.
November 20, 2021
Line Spectra Concept Builder
Our 50th Chemistry Concept Builder is now live - the Line Spectra Concept Builder. Students associate frequencies, wavelengths, and energy transitions with the lines on an emission spectrum.
November 16, 2021
Video Tutorial: Newton's Second Law and Circular Motion
Mr. H steps through five example problems to demonstrate the use of a free-body diagram, Newton's second law, and circular motion mathematics to analyze a physical situation. This is our 5th video in our Tutorial Series on Circular Motion and Gravitation.
November 15, 2021
Periodic Table Battleship Concept Builder
Have fun and learn about electron configurations with this long-time favorite now made interactive. This is our 49th Chemistry Concept Builder. Many more to come.
November 10, 2021
Circular Motion Video Tutorial: Mathematics of Circular Motion
Our fourth video in our Circular and Satellite Motion Video Tutorial series is out. It describes the mathematical formulae for speed, acceleration and net force and explains how to use them.
November 9, 2021
Circular Motion Video Tutorial: Inertia and Circular Motion
We have now completed three videos in our Circular and Satellite Motion Video Tutorial. This 11-minue video targets the misconception that there is an outward net force on an object that is moving in a circle.
November 7, 2021
Circular Motion Video Tutorial: The Centripetal Force Requirement
We have begun production on our Circular and Satellite Motion Video Tutorial. This 13-minue video is packed with animations, demonstrations, graphics and thorough explnation of velocity and acceleration.
November 4, 2021
Circular Motion Video Tutorial: Velocity and Acceleration
This 11-minute video explains why an inward force is required to sustain the motion of an object in a circle. It is the second video in our Circular and Satellite Motion Video Tutorial series.
November 2, 2021
Concept Builder Edits
We are always making an effort to correct, edit and get it right. It's never fun. It's always necessary. Today's edits included four Concept Builders:
November 1, 2021
Words and Charts Concept Builder
We have just published a simple Concept Builder titled Words and Charts. Students must match four verbal descriptions of a motion to each of four corresponding energy bar charts. The Concept Builder includes five Mathching Pair activities.
October, 2021
October 26, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: Solving Work-Energy Problems
Our 13th video in our Work and Energy Tutorial Series is now out. The topic is Solving Work-Energy Problems. It includes a thorough discussion of six different example problems. This is the final video on our Tutorial Series on Work and Energy. Next up: Circular Motion and Gravitation.
October 24, 2021
Quantum Mechanics Concept Builder
It's our 48th Chemistry Concept Builder. This makes a great complement to our other Concept Builders on atomic structure. We're not done with Chemistry CBs. In fact we have another one planned within the next week on this same broad topic of atomic structure.
October 21, 2021
Atomic Models Concept Builder
We've been working hard on building our collection of Chemistry Concept Builders during the past few weeks. This is our 47th Chemistry CB. We're not done with Chemistry CBs; there's many more ideas to flesh out into Concept Builders.
October 20, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: Work-Energy Bar Charts
Our 11th video in our Work and Energy Tutorial Series is now out. The topic is Work-Energy Bar Charts and features five examples.
October 18, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: Mechanical Energy Conservation
In the 10th video of our Work, Energy and Power Tutorial Series, Mr. H discusses situations in which potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy (and vice versa).
October 17, 2021
Concept Builder: Chemistry - Molarity Calculations
We're showing more love to our Chemistry Teachers and their students. We've completed a Concept Builder titled Molarity Calculations. We now have two Concept Builders on the topic of molarity; we have you covered on that topic. This is our 46th Chemistry Concept Builder and there's more to come.
October 14, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: External Energy Transfer
This is our 9th video in our Work, Energy and Power chapter. The focus is of the video is on the conceptual and mathematical analysis of situations in which external forces change the energy of a system.
October 13, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: Forces, Energy, and System Analysis
This is our 8th video in our Work, Energy and Power chapter. The focus is of the video is on how to approach a problem involving an energy analysis.
October 12, 2021
Concept Builder: Chemistry - Molarity Ranking Task
We're showing love to our Chemistry Teachers and their students. We've completed a Concept Builder on the topic of Molarity. This is our 45th Chemistry Concept Builder and there's more to come.
October 11, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: Non-Mechanical Energy
This is our 7th video in our Work, Energy and Power chapter. Our video tutorials represent our effort to expand the Tutorial value of our website for those who prefer video tutorials over written tutorials.
October 8, 2021
Task Tracker - Minds On Physics Assignment Boards
We're excited about this one ... Help links for students who are doing Minds On Physics for credit through our Task Tracker program. The links direct students to relevant pages of our written and video Tutorials, providing them with the information they need to be successful with Minds On Physics.
October 7, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: Mechanical Energy
This is our 6th video in our Work, Energy and Power chapter. There's many more to come in the next couple of weeks. Support us by subscribing to the channel and getting notifications when new videos come out.
October 6, 2021
Forces in Two Dimensions Concept Builders
Fixed! Finally fixed! A couple of our Forces in 2D Concept Builders have had a shaky history of integrating with Task Tracker, most notably
Solve It! Vectors and Newton's Second Law and
Solve It! Inclined Planes. The Concept Builder worked great but Task Tracker teachers who used them likely noticed that their ability to track was suspect. That is no longer the case. We have found the bug and it is exterminated. Enjoy these CBs Task Tracker users!
October 5, 2021
Concept Builder: Up and Down with Energy
Another new Concept Builder on the topic of energy conservation. Students analyze the up and down motioni of an object using energy principles.
October 4, 2021
Concept Builder: Stepping Up with PE and KE
Here's a new Concept Builder for your energy studies. It's perfect for digesting the concept of gravitational potential energy and it will provide a great introduction to the concept of energy conservation.
September, 2021
September 26, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial - Power Video
Our video tutorial mirrors our written Tutorial on our website. This is the fifth video for the Work, Energy and Power section and is one video short of the first of two lessons of the written counterpart.
September 24, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial - Potential Energy Video
We're on a roll. Four days ... four videos. This one is on the topic of potential energy. Enjoy!
September 23, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial - Kinetic Energy Video
We're on the move. Here's video #3 of our Video Tutorial on Work, Energy and Power. This one is on the topic of kinetic energy. Check it out!
September 22, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial - Work Calculations Video
This is our second video in our Work, Energy, and Power video tutorial. This represents the video version of our written Tutorial page titled Calculating the Amount of Work Done by Forces.
September 21, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial - Work Video
We have begun the development of our Work, Energy, and Power video tutorial. Our first video on the topic of Work is now available.
September 6, 2021
Task Tracker Directions for Minds On Physics
We completed and uploaded more directions for teh use of Task Tracker with Minds On Phyics. We now have a Student Use page with a downloadable and distributable PDF and a thorougly written page on Previewing and Customizing a Mission.
September 3, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules
Whew! What a week! We've done a lot of documentation on how to use our Task Tracker tool with Minds On Physics.
Check it out. And there's more to come.
September 1, 2021
Task Tracker Payment Portal
We officially launched Minds On Physics. Our payment portal came out. Subscribers now purchase a specified number of seats and then use them to provide their classes acces to either Concept Builders or Minds On Physics. (And the exciting part, is next year this time there should be a third feature. Spoiler alert!)
August, 2021
August 28, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Refraction and Lenses)
A load of edits have been made to a variety of missions, including: Mission KC3, KG3, NL1, NL4, VP1, VP5, VP6, FD2, FD5, MC6, MC8, CG3, SE1, SE2, SE5, SE6, SE7, SE8, and LC5. With the exception of Mission LC9, we believe the program is "complete" and ready for public use. The payment portal should be out this coming week. Those wishing for early access can contact Tom.
August 23, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Refraction and Lenses)
The Refraction and Lenses module of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules has been uploaded. All MOP modules have been uploaded. We are still testing and making edits.
August 15, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Reflection and Mirrors)
The Reflection and Mirrors module of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules has been uploaded. This is the 14th of 15 total missions. That means we're about done!
August 12, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Light Waves and Color)
The Light Waves and Color module of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules has been uploaded. Eight of the nine missions are complete. The ninth will be completed soon. We are nearing the end of the project.
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Electric Circuits)
The Electric Circuits missions of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules have been uploaded. This includes 12 missions in the second of our two electricity modules. Our eight Mechanics and our two electricity modules are now complete.
August 11, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Sound Waves and Music)
The Sound Waves and Music missions of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules have been uploaded. This includes 11 missions in the second of our three Waves, Sound, and Light modules.
August 10, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Wave Motion)
The Wave Motion missions of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules have been uploaded. This includes 8 missions in the first of our three Waves, Sound, and Light modules.
August 7, 2021
iOS Functionality Restored for Simulations and Concept Builders
At some point during the summer, our Concept Builders and simulations in the Physics Interactives section lost functionality. That has been restored. You can now enjoy these great interactive tools on your iPhone or iPad.
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Electrostatics)
The Static Electricity missions of the Minds On Physics Internet Modules have been uploaded. This includes 12 missions in the first of our two electricity modules.
August 6, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Mechanics)
The interactive missions for the Mechanics section of Minds On Physics has been uploaded. We are still making modifications and edits but the resource is ready to use. This is both a free and a paid resource. Our payment portal is still under construction.
June, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules
It will at times seem as though not much is happening on the site. Nothing could be further from the truth, During times of infrequent uploads, the truth is that we are building something humongous behind the scenes. That something is Minds On Physics. We have been making some uploads, but the real
meat and potatoes is still being built and tested and refined. While you wait for completion, go visit the
Minds On Physics Internet Modules section and get acquainted with the next BIG thing. We are making great progress and we are still expecting to have it completed during the month of August. Approximately 80% or more should be done by August 1.
May, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Electric Circuits)
We continue to work on the site structure for the HTML5 version of our Minds On Physics Internet Modules. Electric Circuits was completed today. The site structure will eventually hold the interactive content and the exhaustive amount of Help pages that support students while completing the tasks.
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Static Electricity)
The HTML5 version of our Minds On Physics Internet Modules continues to take shape. We have uploaded the site structure and Help pages for the Static Electricity module.
April, 2021
Minds On Physics Internet Modules (Version 5)
We have begun the HTML5 re-make of our Minds On Physics program. This long awaited project will replace our App and Legacy version. This is a humongous project and will occupy most our time for the better part of the next four months. Check out how its shaping up and come back frequently to view more.
Physics Video Tutorial: Convex Mirrors -The Mathematics of Curved Mirrors
This video discusses the use of the mirror equation and magnification ratio to solve Physics word problems. Includes four example problems.
Physics Video Tutorial: Convex Mirrors - Ray Diagrams and Image Characteristics
This video describes how to draw and interpret ray diagrams for convex mirrors. Short. Snappy. Instructive. Worth the time.
Physics Video Tutorial: Convex Mirrors - Reflection of Light and Image Formation
We are nearing the completion of our Video Tutorial series on Reflection and Mirrors. This video describes how light reflects off convex mirrors and how this leads to the formation of virtual images.
Physics Video Tutorial: Image Characeristics for Concave Mirrors
The LOST Art of Image Description is used to explain how the characteristics of images is dependent upon the object location.
Physics Video Tutorial: Concave Mirrors - Ray Diagrams
This 7-minute video demonstrates and explains how to construct ray diagrams for concave mirrors. Five examples are provided.
Physics Video Tutorial: Concave Mirrors - Light Reflection and Image Formation
This short video describes how images are formed for concave mirrors. The distinction between real and virtual images is discussed. And the L•O•S•T Art of Image Description is introduced.
Physics Video Tutorial: Introduction to Curved Mirrors
The anatomy of curved mirrors (center of curvature, focal point, etc.) is discussed and the patterns by which light reflects is illustrated.
March, 2021
Physics Video Tutorial: The Six Foot Person Problem
What portion of a plane mirror would a six-foot tall person need to view their entire image? Find out with this short video from our Reflection and Mirrors series.
Physics Video Tutorial: Ray Diagrams for Plane Mirrors
This 6-minute video from our Reflection and Mirrors series explains what a ray diagram is and demonstrates how to construct them for point objects and arrow objects. Examples and applications of ray diagramming are discussed.
Physics Video Tutorial: Plane Mirror Image Characteristics
This short video from our Reflection and Mirrors series describes and elaborates on he characteristics of plane mirror images.
Physics Video Tutorial: Plane Mirror Image Formation
This 7-minute video explains what an image is and why it is formed using a variety of animations and diagrams.
Physics Video Tutorial: Specular vs. Diffuse Reflection
This 6-minute video describes the difference between specular and diffuse reflection in terms of their cause, explanation, and resulting effects.
Physics Video Tutorial: The Law of Reflection
Our Video Tutorial on the law of reflection has been completed. Short. Simple. Logical. Thorough. Worth checking out.
Physics Video Tutorial: Light and Sight
This is the first video of our Reflection and Mirrors video tutorial. The video lays the foundation for understanding how and why images are formed.
Physics Interactives: Balance It!
There's nothing like a good interactive challenge to liven up a lesson plan. And this Balance It! activity is perfect for such a role. Adaptable to a wide variety of classrooms, this 20-level challenge will get your students thinking in terms of force components.
Physics Video Tutorial: Modified Atwood's Machine Problems
This Modified Atwood's Machine Problems video tutorial completes our short Video Tutorial Collection on Forces in Two Dimensions.
Physics Video Tutorial: Atwood's Machine Problems
This Atwood's Machine Problems video tutorial outlines a strategy for solving an often troublesome two-body problem. The strategy is demonstrated in an example problem.
Physics Video Tutorial: Two-Body Problems
This Two-Body Problems video tutorial outlines a strategy for solving a two-body problem. The strategy is demonstrated in two example problems.
Physics Video Tutorial: Inclined Planes
This fourth video in our Forces in Two Dimensions Video Tutorial Series discusses the physics of inclined planes. The video explains how to identify forces and construct the free-body diagram, how to resolve the gravity force into components, and how to determine the net force and acceleration.
Physics Video Tutorial: Equilibrium
This is our third video in our Forces In Two Dimensions Video Tutorial collection. We have four planned. We hope to be done in March or April. This video discusses the concept of equilibrium and demonstrates how to conduct a force analysis for an object with angled forces.
Concept Builders: Equilibrium
Our Equilibrium Concept Builder will provide great training for thinking in terms of components. Learners add two forces to the given force vectors in order to establish an equilibrium.
Concept Builders: Solve It! - Inclined Planes
We are building up our Forces in Two Dimensions section of Concept Builders. This Concept Builder focuses on the mathematical relationships associated with the forces exerted on objects that accelerate along inclined planes.
Physics Video Tutorial: Net Force Problems Revisited
This is our second video in our Forces In Two Dimensions Video Tutorial collection. We have four planned. We hope to be done in March or April. This video looks at situations in which an angled force causes a horizontal acceleration.
Concept Builders: Solve It! (with Vectors and Fnet = m•a)
This is our second Concept Builder in our recently launched Forces in Two Dimensions section. Students must analyze a situation in which a force acts at an angle to the horizontal to accelerate an object across a horizontal surface.
Physics Video Tutorial: Adding and Resolving Forces
We have officially begun the creation of our Forces in Two Dimensions Video Tutorial. This is the first video, covering the topic of adding and resolving force vectors. We have four planned. We hope to be done in March or April.
Concept Builders, The Equilibrium Concept
Relying on graphical representations, tabular data, and particle diagrams, this Concept Builder hilights the features that characterize the the condition of chemical equilibrium. A true exercise in thinking and sense-making.
February, 2021
Concept Builders, Equilibrium ICE Table
This is one of our more elaborate Concept Builders. It provides great training on how to use an ICE Table to solve for K.
Concept Builders, Equilibrium Calculations
We're showing more love to our Chemistry-teaching colleagues with a Concept Builder involving calculations using an equilibrium constant expression.
Concept Builders, Chemistry, Molar Mass
We're showing love to our Chemistry-teaching colleagues with this Concept Builder on the calculation of molar mass. (Don't miss the Out of This World activity!)
Concept Builders, Work and Energy, Energy Analysis 2
This Concept Builder challenges students to conduct an energy analysis fo situations in which mechanical energy is transformed into non-mechanical forms. Its a great follow-up to
Energy Analysis 1.
Concept Builders, Work and Energy, Energy Analysis 1
This Concept Builder challenges students to conduct an energy analysis, identifying values of KE and PE at as many as 5 locations along a motion path.
Physics Video Tutorial: Solving Difficult Electric Field Problems
This is our final video in our Static Electricity Video Tutorial Series. This video steps through the solution to four difficult electric field problems.
Concept Builders, Vectors and Projectiles, Projectile Mathematics
This skill-building activity includes three distinct levels of difficulty. Students complete a table of values focusing on the relationships between the various projectile parameters.
Concept Builders, Static Electricity, Triboelectric Charging
Many have complained about the drag-and-drop functionality of some Concept Builders does not work. While going full-screen is the immediate cure, we have been gradually eliminating all such functions. Drag-and-drop has now been removed from the Triboelectric Charging Concpt Builder.
Physics Video Tutorial: Lesson Notes for Momentum and Collisions Videos
We just completed the Lesson Notes for our six Momentum and Collisions Video Tutorial lessons. These were originally left undone in the interest of time and have just now been completed.
Physics Video Tutorial: Lesson Notes for Projectile Videos
We sometimes take short cuts and omit the completion of less essential tools. When creating our Projectile Video Tutorials, we postponed the completion of the accompanying Lesson Notes. We just completed the Lesson Notes for our six Projectile Video Tutorial lessons.
Physics Video Tutorial: Electric Field Lines
This is our 14th video of 15 planned videos on static electricity. This video explains what electric field lines are and how to draw them..
Physics Video Tutorial: Coulomb's Law and Force Analysis
This short video steps through the solution to four difficulty problems involving Coulomb's Law and a force analysis of an electrostatic phenomenon.
Physics Video Tutorial: Electric Field Intensity
This short video discusses the mathematics of electric field intensity.
Physics Video Tutorial: Electric Field Concept
This short video explains the concept of an electric field and lays the ground work for an upcoming video on the mathematics of electric field intensity.
January, 2021
Concept Builder: Impulse-Momentum Change Table
Help your students get in the groove of using the impulse-momentum change theorem to analyze the changes in momentum of an object acted upon by an external force for a given amount of time.
Task Tracker for Concept Builders
We indexed all the Questions in Concept Builders using the existing topic structure. Now logged in teachers with an active subscription can access all the Question pages from one location.
Visit the Main Page.
Concept Builder: Frequency and Period
Studying vibrational motion or waves soon? Here is a NEW Concept Builder on the concepts of frequency and period.
Video Tutorial: Proportional Reasoning with Coulomb's Law
This is our second video of three on the topic of Coulomb's Law and its varied applications.
Video Tutorial: Coulomb's Law
This is our first video of three on the topic of Coulomb's Law and its varied applications.
Concept Builder: Conductors and Insulators
This Concept Builder hones in on student understanding of conductors and insulators. It's a great follow-up to the two videos immediately below.
Video Tutorial: Grounding
A video on electrical grounding was completed and uploaded to our Static Electricity Video Tutorial.
Video Tutorial: Charging By Conduction
If you're starting the topic of static electricity anytime soon, you may be able to take advantage of this video and others in the series.
Video Tutorial: Charging By Induction
Our Video Tutorial mirrors our written Tutorial. With this video, we are closing in on the completion of Lesson 2 of our Static Electricity Chapter.
Video Tutorial: Triboelectric Charging
The first video of the new year is out. Many more electrostatics videos are planned for the months of January and February. Keep checking in.
December, 2020
Video Tutorial: Polarization
The fourth video in our Static Electricity series has been completed. There's many more to come in January, 2021.
Concept Builder: Case Studies - Electric Power
This newest Concept Builder brings the total to 10 for the Electric Circuits topic.
Physics Interactives: Equivalent Resistance
This skill-building exercise is composed of 18 difficulty levels associated with determining the equivalent resistance of 2 - 5 resistors arranged in series, in parallel, or in combination. It's a great complement to our DC Circuit Builder simulation.
Physics Interactives: Hit the Target
We think this will be popular. It's like our Turd the Target sim ... without a storyline, without drama, and (especially) without turds. #JustGoodCleanPhun
Concept Builder: Series vs. Parallel Circuits
This is a great tool for all classes. There are three distinct levels of difficulty.
Concept Builder: Electric Field
This is a powerful tool ... expecially suited for AP Physics 1, Honors Physics, and IB Physics.
Concept Builders: Free-Body Diagrams for Inclined Planes
We enjoyed making this one. Hope you enjoy using it.
The Review Session - added Inline Ads
Of course nobody likes ads. But let's face the facts: making a website isn't free and somebody has to pay the bills. Better them than you. Right?
Video Tutorial: Condctors vs. Insulators
Making more progress on our collection of Static Electricity video tutorials.
Concept Builder: Getting the Hang of Charge
We needed this one. It's a big improvement upon our Charge Interactions Concept Builder.
Video Tutorial: Charge Interactions
Our second video in our Static Electricity collection.
Video Tutorial: Charged and Uncharged Objects
This was our first video in the Static Electricity chapter of our growing Video Tutorial section.
Concept Builder: Net Force and Acceleration Ranking Tasks (bug fix)
This Concept Builder has been around for a while. But the drag and drop didn't work on all devices unless the CB was used in full-screen mode. So we replaced the drag-and-drop interactivity with a more reliable one.
Video Tutorial on Momentum and Collisions
We completed the last two videos of our Momentum and Collisions section of our Physics Video Tutorial in early December.
Physics Classroom Tutorial - fixed Wolfram Alpha Widgets
We have approximately 60 interactive widgets (from Wolfram Alpha) embedded in the pages of our Tutorial. They were not displaying. The issue has been fixed and they now display properly. They are a welcome addition to the Tutorial.