Teacher Resources
The Physics Classroom has been devoted to helping students, teachers, and classrooms since the 1990s. We are as passionate about that mission now as we have ever been. If you are a teacher of Physics or Physical Science, we encourage you to use our Video Tutorial with your students. And we also encourage you to consider the use of other resources on our website that coordinate with the video. We have listed a few below to help you get started.
Curriculum Corner, Circular Motion and Gravitation
Get students active and thinking with our free Think Sheets from the Curriclum Corner section of our website. Here's one to get you started ...
Centripetal Force Requirement
Teacher Toolkits, Circular Motion
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. Give this one on circular motion a try.
Physics Interactives - Circular Motion and Gravitation Section - Uniform Circular Motion simulation
There's nothing like fun on the playground. And this simulation from our Physics Interactives section allows students to alter a variable and observe the effect. Rich visual displays enhance the experience. Grab our free activity sheet and plan a lesson around this simulation on uniform circular motion.
Physics Interactives - Circular Motion and Gravitation Section - Race Track simulation
Our Race Track simulation will be sure to engage students and focus their attention.on the concept of a centripetal force requirement. They must apply a force on a car to direct it around an oval race track in the least number of moves. And life lesson: they need to watch their speed going into the turns.
Concept Builder: Circular Logic
This Concept Builder gets students thinking quantitatively about the topic of velocity, acceleration and force for objects moving in circles. And with a Task Tracker account, you can assign this as out-of-class work and check on students' progress results.
Minds On Physics: Mission CG2
Minds On Physics is like good medicine. It may not taste good going down but once its effect kicks in, you feel better. Give yoiur students a dose of MOPs with this mission on the topic of acceleration and net force. They'll feel better for doing so ... and so will their grade.
Physics Classroom Tutorial: Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter, The Centripetal Force Requirement
This written tutorial page provides a great reference for freshening up on the topic. It is the written equivalent of our video tutorial. Do what other teachers have done - create a link to it from your course page.