Physics
Topic outline
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General
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This page is organized in different sections. In each section you will find links and PDF activities that are related to lessons in that area. The header will appear at the top of each page, so click on the section that you are interested in below and scroll past this header to see the resources. Note: we are continuously adding resources as we come across them so if you don't see something that you need please check back or contact your program specialists.
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A Concept Builder is an interactive learning activity that targets student understanding of a discrete concept. Each Concept Builder presents learners with carefully crafted questions that target various aspects of the concept. There are typically multiple levels of difficulty or multiple activities. And there is an effort to track learner progress at each level or in each activity.
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Using the PhET simulation Alpha Decay students should be able to explain the alpha decay process and what half life means in terms of single particles and larger samples.
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Topics
- Position
- Velocity
- Acceleration
Description
Learn about position, velocity, and acceleration graphs. Move the little man back and forth with the mouse and plot his motion. Set the position, velocity, or acceleration and let the simulation move the man for you.
Sample Learning Goals
- Interpret, predict, and draw charts (position, velocity and acceleration)for common situations.
- Describe his/her reasoning used to make sense of the charts.
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Using PhET Simulation States of Matter students will begin to understand differences and similarities between monatomic, diatomic, and polyatomic particles and how changing the pressure or temperature can change the state of matter.
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This activity students use Phet Simulation Beta Decay to better understand natural/artificial transmutation and nuclear fission.
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Learning Objectives for this activity include: 1. Draw models that show atoms or ions. 2. Use information about the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to • Identify an element and its position on the periodic table • Draw models of atoms • Determine if the model is for a atom or an ion. 3. Predict how changing the number protons, neutrons, or electrons will change the element, the charge, and the mass of an atom or ion.
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This lab was designed specifically for students working remotely with guided inquiry. Learning Goals Describe what happens to light when it shines on a medium. Explain light direction changes at the interface between two media and what determines the angle. Describe the effect of varying wavelength on the angle of refraction. Explain why a prism creates a rainbow. Apply Snell’s law to a laser beam incident on the interface between media.
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Topics
- Fission
- Chain Reaction
- Atomic Nuclei
Description
Start a chain reaction, or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Control energy production in a nuclear reactor! (Previously part of the Nuclear Physics simulation - now there are separate Alpha Decay and Nuclear Fission sims.)
Sample Learning Goals
- Describe how a neutron can give energy to a nucleus and cause it to fission.
- Explain the byproducts of a fission event.
- Explain how a chain reaction works, and describe the requirements for a sustained chain reaction large enough to make a bomb.
- Explain how a nuclear reactor works and how control rods can be used to slow down the reaction.
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