Physical Science Interactive Resources

SPS1. Students will investigate our current understanding of the atom.

Atom Builder - This Science Odyssey from PBS explores the make-up of these tiny subatomic particles. Refer to the Atom Builder Guide and then build your very own atom.

Inside the Atom - Learn all about the atom as well as participate in some interactive components including a quiz.

Investigation of Bonding - The activity will allow you an opportunity to investigate the nature of chemical bonds. Download this Worksheet before starting the activity.

Atoms Around Us - This resource is from the Chem4Kids Web site. Topics include:

**Don't forget to take the interactive, online quizzes throughout your Atoms Around Us tour!!

What is an Atom? - Interactive module....

Strange Matter: Atoms - This interactive Web site allows you to zoom in to see tiny aluminum atoms using a Coke can! There's lots to learn here about atoms and the makeup of this can. Also, visit Materials Smackdown for more interactive learning!

Atom: The Smallest Particle - Video clip

The Atoms Family: The Phantom's Portrait Parlor - "The Phantom has provided you with a simulated spectroscope of an Atom! Amuse the Phantom by observing the spectroscope and you'll learn more about the Atom." Observe and review the structure of the atom. Learn about the principals of atoms. Topics include Phases of Matter, Spectroscope of an Atom, Paper Cutting Experiment, and The Mighty Molecules.

Atomic Structure - WebQuest

Chemical Bonds - Online quiz

SPS2. Students will explore the nature of matter, its classifications, and the system for naming types of matter.

Determining Density - Explore the density of a gas by adjusting its volume and the mass of the individual gas molecules. A bar graph reads total mass, volume, and density.

Density Laboratory - This online simulation allows students to investigate the relationship between mass, volume, density, and floatation. (You have only five minutes to complete this Gizmo - Maybe your teacher could sign up for a thirty-day pass for Explore Learning!!!!!)

Density of Liquids - A simulation.........You will need this Worksheet to complete the assignment.
Density of Solids - A simulation............You will need this Worksheet to complete the assignment.

Density Activity - Read the introduction and then start the experiment.

Types of Equations - The purpose of this activity is for you to learn the basics of writing and balancing equations, how to predict the products of four general types of inorganic reactions and how to write and balance equations for the combustion of hydrocarbons.  There are also online practice exercises for each section.

Matter is the Stuff Around You - From the Chem4Kids Web site - States, Phase Changes, Chemical/Physical, and much more!

Matter - This interactive module will teach you the difference between atoms, ions, elements, and molecules. You will explore what kinds of changes occur in matter. You will also learn about the structures and properties of the four states of matter, including plasma.

States of Matter - This is an informational page with Java applets, 3-D Structures, etc. Also has an assessment at the end.

Binary Ionic Compounds Quiz - Fifty multiple choice question in this online quiz.
Binary Covalent Compounds Quiz - Fifty multiple choice question in this online quiz.

Naming Chemical Compounds - Read the information and then click on Practice for Naming Compounds! The activities will appear at the top of the Web page.

SPS3. Students will distinguish the characteristics and components of radioactivity.

Radioactivity - What Is It? - Information (learn all about alpha and beta particles, gamma rays, then take an interactive quiz.

Radio Decay Series - Use this java applet to investigate radioactive decay

Half Life - This page explains the process of half life. Read and study and then take the interactive quiz.

Radioactivity - This Web page introduces radioactivity, including information on alpha and beta particles, as well as half-life. There is a half-life online activity as well as an online quiz at the bottom of the page.

Radioactivity - There's four interactive Web pages here to learn about radioactivity. Click Next at the bottom of each page to proceed to the next activity. Download a .PDF document on Radioactivity or click to listen to an MP3 on Radioactivity.

Radioactivity - Practice Quiz!

Test Your Nuclear Knowledge Quiz - How much do you really know about nuclear energy??? Find out here!

SPS4. Students will investigate the arrangement of the Periodic Table.

Which is Ionic? Which is Convalent - Online quiz......What well do you know your bonds?

Ionic and Convalent Millionaire Game - Online game! Cool!

40 Element Symbols - Play three online games here to learn the symbols for 40 of the most common chemical element: Matching, Flash Cards, and Concentration.

Comic Book Periodic Table - Click on an element in this table and see full, referenced comic book pages and covers involving that element. See how comic book heroes have been influenced by chemistry. So Cool!

Elements Matching Game - How is your knowledge of symbols of the elements? Try this quiz!

Elements and the Periodic Table - From Chem4Kids.....Don't forget to take the online quizzes throughout your tour of this awesome site!

SPS5. Students will compare and contrast the phases of matter as they relate to atomic and molecular motion.

Phase Changes Gizmo -This online simulation from Explore Learning allows you to explore the relationship between molecular motion, temperature, and phase changes. Compare the molecular structure of solids, liquids, and gases. Graph temperature changes as ice is melted and water is boiled. Find the effect of altitude on phase changes.

Phases: Gas, Liquid, and Solid - Phases explanation and also interpretations of these phases with online questions.

SPS6. Students will investigate the properties of solutions.

Solubility and Temperature Gizmo - This online simulation from Explore Learning allows students to add varying amounts of a chemical to a beaker of water to create a solution, observe that the chemical dissolves in the water at first, and then measure the concentration of the solution at the saturation point. Either sodium chloride or potassium nitrate can be added to the water, and the temperature of the water can be adjusted. (You have only five minutes to complete this Gizmo - Maybe your teacher could sign up for a thirty-day pass to Explore Learning!!!!!)

SPS7. Students will relate transformations and flow of energy within a system.

Boil Water with Shockwave - How much energy does it take to increase the temperature of more than one gram of water? Explore that question here with the boiling water experiment. Requires Shockwave.

Phase Diagram - Interactive, multiple choice quiz on the phase diagram (illustration included).

Energy Transformation - Drag and drop the types of energy into the energy equations. When you've completed one, move onto the next.

Energy Millionaire Game - Test your knowledge on energy!

Molecules in Motion - Java Applet.......Adjust the temperature, mass, etc. to see the behavior of the molecules.

Calorimetry - This applet simulates a calorimetry experiment.

SPS8. Students will determine relationships among force, mass, and motion.
 
 Learn about Position, Velocity, and Acceleration - An interactive activity/experiment - This activity allows you to play with the position, velocity, and acceleration for two objects at the same time.

Roller Coaster Applet - Adjust the track, the mass and speed of your coaster. Increase or decrease friction or gravity, and then send your coaster on its way. This simulator is designed for kids who want to design their own thrilling coaster and educators who want to use a cool activity to simulate the application of physics by using an exciting interactive tool.

How to Make a Roller Coaster Work - How fast must a roller coaster travel to safely make it though loops and over hills? Try this interactive experiment to find out!

Amusement Park Physics - Do you want to design a roller coaster? Well, you have come to the right place. Read the information on the Web page and then click The Roller Coaster at the bottom of the page to continue. Read the next page and, to get started with your very own roller coaster, click Design a Roller Coaster on the right side of the page.

ThinkQuest: Learn Physics Today - All topics include information and online problems/activities. The topics are:

Name That Motion - This activity presents 11 challenges to students. Each challenge demands that they match the motion of an animated car to the corresponding verbal description of the motion. Once the 11 matches have been completed, students can check their answers. If any of the 11 challenges are incorrect, students can correct their answers and check them again until they are perfect. Download the Lab Worksheet with directions and also the eleven verbal descriptions of the motions (to be used in answering the eleven challenges).

Acceleration Activity - This activity allows students to witness the relationship between force, matter, and acceleration.

What Happens When Two Things Collide? - Great activity that allows you to set up your own crash movie by selecting different vehicles and speeds. Fasten your seat belt!

Newton's Second Law Experiment - This Java applet that simulates an air track glider setup, as it is used for experiments on constant acceleration motion.

Why Gravity Causes Things to Fall - Interactive activity/experiment - This activity allows you to explore how things fall because of gravity, by allowing you to drop a tennis ball off of various objects, like bridges and tables. Just fill in the blanks to create your scene, then click "Go!"

Why Satellites Don't Fall From the Sky - Interactive activity/experiment - This activity allows you to experiment with your own values of height and speed, to see if you can successfully put your own satellite in orbit around the earth.

Two Balls: One Dropped and One Shot Across - Interactive experiment - Can you determine which will hit the ground first and why?

Falling Objects - Learn about the the forces affecting a falling object at different stages of its fall.

Mass, Force, and Acceleration - Watch as you fill out the chart to see how mass, force, and acceleration are related.
When you are done see if you can write a rule.

SPS9. Students will investigate the properties of waves.

Electromagnetic Waves vs. Mechanical - Information and a interactive quiz on waves.

Introducing the Doppler Effect for Sound - After the explanation, click Click Here for More to proceed to an interactive experiment.

Sonic Doppler Effect - This interactive exhibit lets you adjust the speed of sound, the speed of the speaker, and the frequency of the sound.

Doppler Effect Applet -  This applet allows you to interactively experience the Doppler Effect.

Doppler Effect - This interactive lab allows you to see the Doppler effect and experiment with aspects that affect the Doppler effect. 

Doppler Effect - Applet

Diffraction of Light by a Single Slit - An applet to investigate diffraction.

Interference of Light at a Double Slit - An applet to investigate interference.

Introduction to What Sound is - Interactive experiment - What does sound have to do with waves? Find out here!

Introduction to Waves - There's four interactive Web pages here to learn about waves. Click Next at the bottom of each page to proceed to the next activity. Download a .PDF document on the Characteristics of Waves or listen to an MP3 file on Characteristics of Waves.

Waves - Don't forget to click on the three activities at the bottom of the page for interactive experiments. om Amplitude, Frequency, and Wavelength. To learn about the types of waves, click here.

SPS10. Students will investigate the properties of electricity and magnetism.

Static Electricity Review - This site from the Glenbrook South High School provides a series of 21 questions on various topics associated with static electricity (such as electrical conduction). Answers and explanations are hidden, yet easily accessed from within a pop-up menu.

What is Friction - Do an experiment here with friction!

Series Circuits - Check your understanding the voltages across components connected in series using this activity. Click Next at the bottom of the page to check your understanding of Parallel Circuits. Are you ready to take a short online quiz on Circuits? Read a .PDF file on Electric Circuits or listen to an MP3 on Circuits.

Simple Series Circuit - Build a simple circuit online!!! Requires Flash.

Resistance and Ohm's Law - This online activity allows students to understand the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance.

Electric Motors - This online activity allows students to understand how a DC electric motor works.

Circuit Builder - This applet simulates AC and DC circuits. Directions are in the frame on the left side of the page.

Electricity and Magnetism Gizmo - This GIZMO, online simulation, from Explore Learning introduces you to the principles of electricity and magnetism and provides an overview of static and moving charges, magnetism, creating electricity with magnets, magnetic fields produced by electrical currents, and a brief introduction to circuits. (You have only five minutes to complete this Gizmo - Maybe your teacher could sign up for a thirty-day pass to Explore Learning!!!!!)

Electricity and Magnetism - This interactive module will introduce to you the basic concepts involved with Electricity and Magnetism. You will also be introduced to static charge, moving charge, voltage, resistance, and current. Magnetism and how it relates to electricity will also be presented.

The Blobz Guide to Electric Circuits - Interactive with activities and quizzes. (This site is English; flashlights are called torches in England.)

Multiple Standards

Learn Physics with Java Applets - There are applets for Electromagnetism, Light and Waves, Mechanics, and Electronics.

Java Applets on Physics -

Shockwave Physics Studio - Wow......Worksheets and all!

Created by: Jerrie S. Cheek
Kennesaw State University
Educational Technology Training Center