Links for K-12 Teachers | Assessment Assistance | On-Line Practice Modules | Daily Dose of the Web

 End-of-Course - Physical Science
sites to help students practice skills needed for the Physical Science exam
Item Sampler from the State of Tennessee
Links verified 2/4/08
Standards Force and motion | Structure and Properties of Matter | Interactions of Matter | Energy | Quizzes
Physics Information: Physics Classroom, Multimedia Physics Studio, Shockwave Physics Studios

a site for teachers | a PowerPoint show | Adobe Acrobat document | a Word document sound | video format | interactive | a quiz | lesson plan | to print

1. Speed and Velocity - This Physics Classroom tutorial helps students distinguish between speed and velocity. An animation and two practice problems are included. Follow that lesson with the Acceleration tutorial. Two animations and two practice problems are included with the acceleration tutorial.
2. A java applet which allows your students to collect data to make calculations regarding velocity and acceleration due to gravity. Further calculations can be made with a second version of this applet.
3. Putt-putt golf applet which asks your students to experiment with velocity and acceleration.

1. An index of Newton's laws tutorials from the Physics Classroom (a total of 16 separate lessons)
2. 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.
3. An index of Newton's Laws animations from the Physics Classroom
4. Motion with Constant Acceleration - This Java applet shows a car moving with constant acceleration
5. Newton's Laws - [this link opens on a new page] A quiz about Isaac Newton's three famous laws of motion. (a Quia quiz)
6. Newton's Second Law Experiment - This Java applet simulates an air track glider setup, as it is used for experiments on constant acceleration motion.
7. Forces and Motion - [these quizzes open on a new page] Matching | Concentration | Flash Cards | Word Search

1. Your Weight on Other Worlds - This Exploratorium site gets your students' attention by showing that their weight will vary with different gravitational attraction (you will not believe what you would weigh on a Neutron star!). Then, a very good presentation of the difference between weight and mass is given.
2. weight and mass converter - [this link opens on a new page] After your students use this converter, perhaps you could discuss if it is appropriate to perform this type of conversion.
3. Science Terms: Distinctions, Restrictions, and Confusions - Bartelby.com points out that an absolute conversion factor between these two units is not technically sound
4. Mass vs. Weight - Two-thirds of the way down this page you will find a discussion of mass vs weight accompanied by practice questions

1. Simple Machines Activities: - explore the House to check understanding of this standard, then move to the Tool Shed to begin exploring compound machines ( E-Heads)
2. Simple Machines - An excellent overview from the Franklin Institute On-Line
3. Machines Make Life Easier - a set of activities about simple machines
4. Lever - attach a new mass piece or put it to another place with pressed mouse button
5. Move Our Principal - [this link opens on a new page] learn about the six simple machines then use their knowledge to assist their principal. (Author - Sandi King)
6. Pulley - Investigate mechanical advantage of a pulley with this interactive java applet
7. Pulley System - (raise or lower the load with the mouse) If you click on the mouse button, a spring balance will appear showing the tension in the string.
8. Inclined Plane - This Java applet demonstrates a motion on an inclined plane with constant velocity and the corresponding forces.
9. Simple Machines game from Harcourt School
10. Simple Machines Made Simple - [this link opens on a new page] an introduction to the six simple machines (Author - Sandi King)
11. Sunken Millions - a Simple Machines review game
12. Rube Goldberg Machines - a simple machines PowerPoint show by Matt Aufman and Steve Case, University of Mississippi [23 slides]

1. Kinematic Equations and Graphs (use of velocity-time graphs to describe the motion of objects) Six practice problems are provided, each requires the student to construct a velocity-time graph. Answers, including graphs, are provided.
2. Graph Sketching and Recognition - Practice questions to test understanding of the graphical description of motion
3. Ball and Ramp Simulation - see the results of a change in initial velocity, ramp height, displacement, even gravity

1. Describing Motion with Equations - There are three components of this tutorial from the Physics Classroom; The Kinematic Equations, Kinematic Equations & Problem-Solving, and Kinematic Equations & Free Fall. These are followed by Sample Problems & Solutions
2. Using Equations as a "Recipe" for Algebraic Problem-Solving
3. Using Equations as a Guide to Thinking

1. The Law of Action-Reaction (Revisited)
2. An index of Newton's Laws animations from the Physics Classroom
3. An index of Newton's laws tutorials from the Physics Classroom (a total of 16 separate lessons)
4. Recognizing Forces - The purpose of this activity is to practice an understanding of the various types of forces

1. Describing Motion with Equations - There are three components of this tutorial from the Physics Classroom; The Kinematic Equations, Kinematic Equations & Problem-Solving, and Kinematic Equations & Free Fall. These are followed by Sample Problems & Solutions
2. Projectile Motion - experiment with projectile motion by firing various objects out of a cannon
3. Projectile Motion Simulator - change a number of variables, projectiles include piano, pumpkin, Buick and others
4. Projectile Tutorial - You can do experimentation to discover concepts or you can check your problem-solving progress. Follow the directions below the picture depending on which one you want to do.

1. Simple Machines Activities - use the House as a review and then use the Tool Shed to check understanding of this standard

1. Momentum - "mass in motion"
2. Momentum and Impulse Connection - this tutorial includes a large number of practice questions to check understanding
3. The Impulse-Momentum Change Theorem - Real-World Applications
4. Momentum Conservation Principle
5. Isolated Systems
6. Conservation of Momentum in Different Inertial Frames - One dimensional
7. Conservation of Momentum in Different Inertial Frames - Two dimensional

select a pure substance, which is an element or a compound, from a list of choices.

1. Element or Compound - From the name of a chemical, determine whether it is an element or compound
2. Element, Compound & Mixture Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] a Quia quiz
3. Mixtures, elements and compounds - [this link opens on a new page] A review of the concepts of pure substances, solutions and mixtures. (a Quia quiz)
4. Element Hangman - [this link opens on a new page] Study those spellings and symbols (a Quia quiz)

1. Classification of Matter - The differences between pure substances and mixtures, and examples within. (a Quia quiz)

1. States of Matter - There is a mini-quiz at the end of the lesson
2. States of Matter Animations from Harcourt School Publishers

1. Atomic Structure Jeopardy [this link opens on a new page] (a Quia quiz)

1. 40 Element Symbols - [these quizzes open on a new page] Learn the symbols for forty of the most common chemical elements. (three Quia quizzes): Matching | Flash Cards | Concentration
2. Chemical Elements and their Symbols - [these quizzes open on a new page] Learn the elements and their symbols (four Quia quizzes): Matching | Concentration | Flash Cards | Word Search

1. Calculate the density of two blocks and then identify the material that the blocks are made of
2. Density Challenge
3. Mass Volume Density Quiz (Level 1)
4. Mass Volume Density Quiz (level 2)
5. Volume, Mass and Density - a supplementary activity for students

1. ChemicalElements.com has a nice table with Internet links to sites about the elements.
2. Flash version of the table - Move your cursor over an elements for information.
3. It's Elemental - Element Math Game
4. Periodic Table of the Elements
5. Periodic Table - This common chemistry tool is presented as a PowerPoint show with web links to pages about each element. Invisible buttons are used on slide 2. (There are 109 invisible buttons on one slide.) Take a look!
6. A small Periodic Table of the Elements with limited information about each element. This site loads quickly.
7. Proton Don - [this link opens on a new page] a FunBrain game using a periodic table that contains the elements' symbols and their periodic numbers.

1. Boyle's Experiment - interactive
2. Boyle's Law - animated
3. Boyle's Law Calculator
4. Boyle's Law - click and drag (data is automatically recorded in a table)
5. Boyle's Law Drill and Practice problems
6. Boyle's Law Interactive practice
7. Charles' Law Calculator
8. Charles' Law - click and drag (data is automatically recorded in a table)
9. Charles' Law Experiment - interactive
10. Charles' Law Drill and Practice problems
11. Charles' Law Interactive Practice
12. Special Processes of an Ideal Gas - an applet to investigate ideal gases

1. Changing States: Does it Matter? - a lab worksheet to use in your classroom
2. Chemical vs Physical Change - an online version of a PowerPoint slide show
3. Chemical vs. Physical Properties and Changes - from a Physical Science course at Learner.org
4. Classification of Matter - Answer a series of questions to determine if a substance is a mixture or compound.
5. The difference between chemical and physical changes (from Chem4Kids)
6. Key Concepts: Chemical vs Physical Changes; Elements vs. Compounds - sample questions and two good concept maps
7. Mixtures and Compounds - a short movie featuring iron and sulphur illustrating the difference between a mixture and a compound
8. Multiple Choice Test on Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes
9. Physical vs. Chemical Change - click on a type of change to observe the molecular details of the process
10. Physical or Chemical Change? - [this link opens on a new page] Determine if each is a physical or chemical change. (a Quia quiz)
11. Physical or Chemical Change? - test your knowledge
12. Physical and Chemical changes quiz
13. Physical vs Chemical Change - [this link opens on a new page] an interactive lesson (click Next to begin)
14. Physical vs Chemical Change - [this link opens on a new page] flashcards from Quia
15. Review and Practice on Chemical vs. Physical Properties and Changes - ten questions on properties and five questions on changes
16. Sciencegy Game Board - [this link opens on a new page] Physical and Chemical Change - Jeopardy format
17. What is the difference between chemical and physical change? - from General Chemistry Online
18. Word Scramble - [this link opens in a new window] use these ten scrambled words as a review
19. Worksheet on Physical vs Chemical Change

1. Matter and Change - [this link opens on a new page] Who wants to be a millionaire? A better question is: Who wants to get an "A" on the Chapter 1 Chemistry Test? (a Quia quiz)

1. Acid/Bases and pH Indicators - [this link opens in a new window] pH scale information and acid/base characteristics. (a Quia quiz)

1. Endothermic or Exothermic - [this link opens in a new window] a Quia quiz

1. Balancing equations battleships [this link opens in a new window] (a Quia quiz)

1. An index of wave tutorials from the Physics Classroom
2. Electromagnetic Wave - This animation (java applet) shows an electromagnetic wave, namely a plane polarized wave, which propagates in positive x direction.
3. Explore the relations between circular motion, simple harmonic motion and wave with this simple java applet.
4. Waveform Demonstration - computer-based demonstration of these waveforms using a Java applet

1. An index of Wave animations from the Physics Classroom
2. Create standing waves with this excellent java applet. Change parameters or step the animation forward slowly while viewing the component waves to investigate interference. To isolate wave reflection, you might want to view the reflection of a single pulse.
3. Electromagnetic Spectrum - In this applet, you can click on the wavelength/frequency scale and change the wavelength and frequency by dragging the mouse or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard. Holding the shift key down while pressing the left or right arrow keys changes the wavelength by a factor of 10.

1. Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion lesson

1. Beats - a java applet to investigate this sound phenomenon
2. Diffraction of Light by a Single Slit - an applet to investigate diffraction
3. Index of wave terms - good diagrams accompany each definition
4. Standing Wave - Explanation by Superposition with the Reflected Wave
5. Standing Longitudinal Waves - This Java applet demonstrates the harmonics of the air in a tube as an example of standing longitudinal waves.
6. Explore superposition of waves with a sine wave or a saw tooth wave
7. Interference of two Circular or Spherical Waves - This Java applet shows the interference of two circular respectively spherical waves (e.g. of water or sound waves).

1. Sound Waves and Music
2. Light Waves and Color

1. Heat Transfer - an interactive graphical map
2. Thermodynamic Equilibrium - an applet designed to simulate the diffusion process which occurs when gases of different temperatures are mixed (seven experiments can be performed with this applet)

1. Standing Wave - Explanation by Superposition with the Reflected Wave
2. Tacoma Narrows Bridge Failure - photos illustrating this classic case of wave interaction you might also want to see a short (10 second) clip of the failure.
3. Resonance applet with instructions in the form of a dialog
4. Experiments on Wave Interference
5. Classic two slit interference change the slit separation to determine the interference pattern
6. Explore standing waves created by waves moving in opposite direction (no reflection) with this java applet
7. Create standing waves (with reflection at a boundary) with this excellent java applet. Change parameters or step the animation forward slowly while viewing the component waves to investigate interference. To isolate wave reflection, you might want to view the reflection of a single pulse.
8. Diffraction of Light by a Single Slit - an applet to investigate diffraction
9. Hearing Subtraction - (an activity on frequency and beats) This site allows students to hear beat frequency caused by two sounds.
10. Interference of Light at a Double Slit - an applet to investigate interference
11. Reflection and Refraction of Light Waves [Huygens' Principle] - This applet is a tutorial which explains the reflection and the refraction of waves by the principle of Huygens.
12. Refraction of Light - The applet shows the reflected and the refracted ray and calculates the corresponding angles. Students can change the incident angle and the media.
13. Standing Wave - Explanation by Superposition with the Reflected Wave

1. Combinations of Resistors, Inductors and Capacitors - java applet
2. Ohm's Law and Series Circuits (an activity to go with the Ohm Zone site)
3. Ohm’s Law - This applet shows a simple circuit containing one resistor. In addition there is a voltmeter (parallel to the resistor) and an ammeter (in series with the resistor)
4. The Ohm Zone - build any type of circuit you want
5. Simple AC Circuits - This Java applet shows a simple circuit consisting of an alternating voltage source and, depending on the selected radio button, a resistor (without inductivity), a capacitor or an ideal coil (without resistance).
6. Resistors in Series - step your way through 8 slides

1. Motion Madness - [these quizzes open on a new page] Vocabulary words dealing with motion and energy (four Quia quizzes) Matching | Concentration | Flash Cards | Word Search
2. Roller Coaster WebQuest - the differences between potential and kinetic energy, and how different variables affect roller coaster design

1. Thermodynamic Equilibrium - an applet designed to simulate the diffusion process which occurs when gases of different temperatures are mixed (seven experiments can be performed with this applet)