Varsity Physics

I usually do this lab as an online lab thru Google Classroom. I have students use a compass to draw six concentric circles. Then MEASURE with a ruler the diameter and then MEASURE with a piece of string the circumference. DO NOT USE FORMULAS for diameter or for circumference. Measure, input into a spreadsheet and create a graph. The linear slope will be the value PI or close to it. A linear line is y = mx + b. Circ. = PI * diameter. The y-axis is Circ. The x-axis is diameter, therefore

This is my first lab I do for Physics Class. I like this simple but thought provoking lab. I show them how a diet coke can will float while a regular coke can will sink in a large fish tank of water. I then get the class thinking along the lines of density and what variables we can manipulate to change the density of objects. Then we look at raisins in sprite, then compare black beans, and talk about the differences.

I use this lab to get students used to graphing using a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Either Way a great technical skill to learn as a young engineer.

I like this simple demo. Every student thinks that salt water will melt ice faster, but will it. Try this simple activity to get your students thinking outside the box.

A great measurement lab using an electronic spark timer. This lab also teaches students to use Excel formulas as well as creating graphs in Excel. Excel is a great career skill.

This is an example Excel spreadsheet for the Toy Car Acceleration Lab. Be sure to look at how the formulas are constructed. Be sure to teach students how to use Excel formulas and graphs. Stress the importance of labeling the axes and units.