Prepare your students for real-world problem solving and open-ended lab experiments. Experienced educators and curriculum specialists have developed each of these lessons, and we have tested them in real classrooms. PocketLab physics lessons cover introductory and advanced topics from one-dimensional motion to electricity and magnetism to simple harmonic motion. Browse all the high school and AP-level physics lessons below or use the filters to search for specific content.
High School Physics
A Quantitative PocketLab Study of Momentum, Impulse, and Force in the Collision of Two Carts
You don't need an expensive air track to do a quantitative study of momentum, impulse, and force involved in the collision of two carts. You can get very good results by the use of two PocketLabs, two iPhones, and a pair of carts from the PocketLab Maker Kit.
Rotational Dynamics of a Falling Meter Stick
There is a well-known problem in rotational dynamics that involves a meter stick. The meter stick is held in a vertical position with one end on the floor. It is then released so that it falls to the floor. The end initially on the floor is not allowed to slip during the fall. Students are asked to derive an equation that predicts the angular velocity of the meter stick just before it hits the floor. The derivation involves many physics concepts including gravitational potential energy, rotational kinetic energy, conservation of energy, moment of inertia, and angular velocity, thus giv
Magnetic Field on the Axis of a Current Loop
In this lesson students will find that a current-carrying loop can be regarded as a magnetic dipole, as it generates a magnetic field for points on its axis. The figure below shows a diagram and the equation for the magnetic field B. Derivation of this equation requries knowledge of the Biot-Savart Law, calculus and trigonometry. But in this lesson we are interested only in comparing experimental results from PocketLab's magnetometer to the theoretical equation in the figure below. More advanced students can consider derivation of the equation, if they wish.
A Quantitative Study of Helmholtz Coils
These coils come in pairs with the same number of windings of wire on each of the two coils. In "true Helmholtz" configuration: (1) the coils are wired in series with identical currents in the same direction in each coil, and (2) the coils are placed a distance apart that is equal to the radius of each coil. When in this configuration, they produce a very uniform magnetic field that is directed along their common central axis.
Investigating the "Spinning Coin" (Euler Disk) Problem
Most everyone has spun a coin on its edge on a table top, and many find the result quite fascinating. The coin gradually begins to fall on its side while spinning, makes a whirring sound with increasing frequency the longer it spins, and then abruptly stops. The Swiss physicist, Leonhard Euler, studied this back in the 1700's. An educational toy, referred to as Euler's disk can now be purchased on-line and in hobby shops specializing in science. Such disks have been carefully engineered to spin for a much longer time than a coin.
Measure the Angle of an Incline Plane
Exploration
An accelerometer is a device that will measure acceleration forces. These forces may be static, like the constant force of gravity pulling us towards the Earth’s surface, or the force may be dynamic, like an object moving or vibrating. This lab will show how to use to accelerometer to measure the static angle of a ramp as it rotates between 0° and 90°.
Objective
Angular Velocity of Rolling Object at Different Inclines
Exploration
The moment of inertia (MOI) is the rotational inertia of an object as it rotates about a specific axis. Moment of inertia determines the torque required for a specific angular rotation about an axis. The moment of inertia depends upon the distribution of mass of the rotating object in relation to the axis the object is rotating about.
Objective
Rotating Book
Exploration
The moment of inertia (MOI) is the rotational inertia of an object as it rotates about a specific axis. Moment of inertia determines the torque required for a specific angular rotation about an axis. The moment of inertia depends upon the distribution of mass of the rotating object in relation to the axis the object is rotating about. Explore whether the stability of a book’s rotation is dependent upon the moment of inertia and therefore whether it changes based on the axis the book is rotating about.
Objective
Friction on a Turntable
Exploration
An inertial force arises from the rotation of the object and the object mass (sometimes called the centrifugal force, not to be confused with centripetal force). If the inertial force is greater than the force of friction, the object will slide off of the rotating turntable (following Newton’s First Law of Motion). The parameters that cause the inertial force to be greater than the force of friction depend on many variables.
Objective
Understanding Centripetal Force
Exploration
An object experiencing a constant net force will experience a constant acceleration. Acceleration is defined as either a change in speed or a change in direction. When an object moves along a curved path it may maintain its speed, however it will be constantly changing its direction of movement. This type of acceleration along a curved path is called centripetal acceleration and is the result of a centripetal force, a force that is directed inward, toward the center of the curvature of the path. Examine the figure below.