I Heart Physics
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Mansfield, Texas, United States
About the store
I am a high school physics teacher in the great Lone Star State who is now on her fifth year teaching! My, how time flies!
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Kinematics: Using Kinematic Equations
I think one of the hardest things for my students when first learning kinematic equations is not just identifying the givens, but selecting the right equation to use. In this worksheet, students work through different 1-D motion problems (some horizontal, some vertical), identify the givens, and then "check off" variables in each kinematic equation to find the one that fully "checks out." Then, they use that equation to solve for the unknown. :)
10th - 12th
Physics
Roller Coaster Conservation of Energy Calculations
This is a problem that involves a roller coaster which starts from the top of a hill with an initial velocity, before coasting down the hill and cresting a second, shorter hill. In this problem students are tasked with identifying the types of energy present at each point and applying the conservation of energy to calculate the potential energy, kinetic energy, and velocity at each. Friction is neglected in this problem, so the total energy at each point is the same, and thus provides the basi
10th - 12th
Physics
Distance vs. Displacement
Most students, upon entering physics, have a common misconception of the term "distance." This is an easy-to-understand misconception given the everyday usage of the term. However, it is important that students not only understand the true meaning of the term "distance," but that they understand the term "displacement," as well and its vector meaning. In this worksheet, students will work through a very simple breakdown of both terms as well as some examples to help solidify the point.
10th - 12th
Physics
Vector Addition
I think vectors are so much easier for students to understand mathematically if they understand them graphically. I like to use this worksheet to accomplish both, using the graphical to segue into the mathematical. Something about seeing the vector arrows and their basic geometry makes it so much easier to accept the basic trigonometry of vector mathematics. This worksheet has enough problems to it that those with little to no trig background can still get a good feel for the concept and enou
10th - 12th
Physics, PreCalculus
Free Body Diagrams
Worksheet with sixteen different scenarios where students are asked to identify the forces present in each so they can draw the relating free body diagram.
Whenever I do this, I try to demonstrate each scenario at the front of the classroom. For example, I have strings hanging from the ceiling where I can easily attach different masses, springs, pulleys, etc. in an effort to mimic the illustrations shown in the worksheet. With each demonstration, we then go through and discuss what forces are
10th - 12th
Physics
Lenses and Mirrors
This is meant as an introductory worksheet into lenses and mirrors. It simply has space to define some key terms associated with lenses and mirrors (concave, convex, reflection, refraction, converging, diverging, real image, virtual image) as well as some basic illustrations of each type of device (convex lens, concave lens, convex mirror, concave mirror). I always start with this before leading into the unit, that way students have had a little intro on the terminology we will be using in cla
9th - 12th
Physics
Scalars and Vectors
In physics, it is important that students can differentiate between a scalar and a vector. Before beginning our unit on motion, I always start off with a really quick lesson on the two quantities and the differences between them. In this worksheet, students will fill in the blanks as they take notes and are introduced to the basics of scalars and vectors, as well as the term "magnitude."
9th - 12th
Physics, PreCalculus, Science
Projectile Problems
This is a series of six projectile motion problems I use with my students as an introduction to doing projectile motion calculations. I usually work the even numbers with my students and ask them to do the odd numbers on their own, as they are similar in style. For example, problems 1 and 2 are both projectiles that start at the highest point on a projectile's trajectory, so they are solved in the same manner. Because of this, I work the first problem with my students and then have them use t
10th - 12th
Physics
Kinematics: Free Fall Calculations
This worksheet has different problems for students to work through with objects in free fall. In each problem, students are given 3 known variables (out of vertical displacement, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time) and asked to solve for the other two. Some variables are given explicitly, but some are simply implied (like acceleration due to gravity, for example) and must be inferred by students from reading the problem.
10th - 12th
Physics
Motion Matching Card Deck: Graphs, Dot Diagrams, and Descriptions
Use this activity to have your students discuss multiple representations of motion and sort nine different scenarios: Object is at rest.Object is moving forwards at a slow, constant speed.Object is moving forwards at a fast, constant speed.Object is moving backwards at a slow, constant speed.Object is moving backwards at a fast, constant speed.Object is moving forwards and speeding up from rest,Object is moving backwards and speeding up from rest.Object is moving forwards and slowing down to res
9th - 12th
Physical Science, Physics
TEKS
SCIENCE.PHY.5.A
Notebook/Journal: Position-Time Graph Breakdown
This activity shows the basic shapes of a position-time graph for an object in motion. For each graph shape, students are tasked with describing the motion it depicts. Then, they will use the fold-over tabs to test their knowledge and understanding of position-time graphs by analyzing and describing the motion depicted by three different position-time graphs stored in an envelope.
*INCLUDES TEMPLATES FOR FOLDABLES USED IN THE JOURNAL
10th - 12th
Graphing, Physics
Types of Forces
This is a worksheet that addresses the most common forces encountered in mechanics. For each force listed, students will identify the variable, define the force, and illustrate an example of the force.
I find this a very useful worksheet to go through with my students before beginning force calculations and free body diagrams, because without background knowledge on the types of forces, students really don't know what forces they have an option to choose from. This worksheet gives them an int
10th - 12th
Physics
Free Fall Graphs
I love using free fall to demonstrate the connection between acceleration, velocity, and displacement. I think students can not only get a good feel for the concept of gravitational acceleration, but just acceleration in general. This worksheet uses basic calculations to find the displacement, velocity, and acceleration for an object in free fall every second for 15 seconds, then tasks the students with graphing each as a function of time. From the graphs they can easily see and analyze the r
10th - 12th
Physics
Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
This worksheet consists of different workout problems that involve the use of Newton's Second Law and the equation F=ma. There are also problems that ask students to compare situations and rank them based on greatest force, mass, or acceleration which challenges them to apply their understanding of the relationship between the three variables.
8th - 12th
Physics
Specific Heat
This worksheet introduces students to the idea of specific heat and how it is used in calculations. It has them explain what it means for a substance to have a high specific heat and then tasks them with comparing the specific heats of two substances. Students are also asked to calculate the heat, mass, specific heat, and temperature using the specific heat table and formula for various substances.
The answer key is included. :)
9th - 12th
Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics
Work and Power Calculations
This is a worksheet with various problems where work and power are calculated for different physical scenarios. Students will need to apply the concept of work as the product of force and distance as well as the relationship between work and energy, particularly gravitational potential energy. Some scenarios also include external forces, including applied force and friction, and require students to apply their understanding of net force.
10th - 12th
Physics
Ray Diagrams: Mirrors
This worksheet tasks students with predicting and describing image formation off both convex and concave mirrors. Students must then look back and make associations with image formation based upon type of mirror and the location of the object relative to the center of curvature and focal length.
The worksheet includes instructions for drawing the rays.
Answer key included.
10th - 12th
Physical Science, Physics
Lab: Bull's Eye
In this lab, students are tasked with calculating where a marble will land when it rolls off a level table top. They will then use their calculations to place a target at the point of impact and have their teacher watch the result. I make sure my students understand that if their marble hits the ground before the actual test run, they will get a zero on the lab. The point of the lab is not to see where a marble will land, but to calculate where it will land. Therefore, students should not kn
10th - 12th
Physics
Phase Changes of Water Diagram
This is a Temperature vs. Heat graph for water that includes the latent and specific heats as well as the equations used for each phase and phase change.
I always use this graph when doing heat calculation problems. I find it just makes "visualizing" the calculation steps a lot easier if we can "walk up (or down)" the graph as we calculate the heat added or released as water changes temperature and phase.
I have also included a black and white version that will copy better. :)
9th - 12th
Chemistry, Physical Science, Physics
Notebook/Journal: Velocity-Time Graph Breakdown
This activity shows the basic shapes of a velocity-time graph for an object in motion. For each graph shape, students are tasked with describing the motion it depicts. Then, they will use the fold-over tabs to test their knowledge and understanding of velocity-time graphs by analyzing and describing the motion depicted by three different velocity-time graphs stored in an envelope.
*INCLUDES TEMPLATES FOR FOLDABLES USED IN THE JOURNAL
10th - 12th
Graphing, Physics
Showing 1-20 of 52 results
About the store
Experience
I am a high school physics teacher in the great Lone Star State who is now on her fifth year teaching! My, how time flies!
Teaching style
My teaching style is as eclectic as I am. But, one thing that remains true, is I love to bring a different edge to physics. The students always come in with a pretty fear-filled mindset. Just the term "physics" seems to get them scared right from the start. I like to make them see that physics is not only fun, it's not scary!
**I should note that almost everything I post here is material I have made for regular physics. The material I use in AP physics is based mostly off of old AP questions and thus is not my work. Therefore, the majority of the material on here is not targeted for upper-level AP learners, though some may be appropriate introductory material.**
My own education history
I have a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. (Whoop! Howdy to any fellow Aggies out there!) However, despite my degree, I realized I wanted to be a teacher, so I immediately began working on my alternative certification and became certified to teach math and physics. I think my engineering background has given me a wonderful connection to physics and a way to show my students the relevance of the subject to their everyday lives.
Additional biographical information
Despite the vast array of material out there, I find I like to design my own things. I have been expanding on and growing my lessons and worksheets for several years now and always find ways to alter or improve them. I don't know if the material will work for anyone else out there, but if it does, then I feel honored to have the opportunity to reach a few more young minds.
Any questions? Please, don't hesitate to ask me. However, please know that I keep quite busy and may not get back to you right away. :)
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