Recognize how one's center of mass and torques affect balance and see how acrobats in the circus stay balanced in this video-enhanced lesson plan. Find the torque needed to balance two people on a seesaw. Details »
Classroom Resources
Explore the effect on spinning objects when the weight distribution or plane is changed. Recognize that angular momentum is conserved by an increase in the speed of rotation when the distribution of weight is closer to the center of mass. Details »
Experiment with various lengths of pendulums to derive the relationship between length and period of a pendulum's swing. Graph and analyze the data of the trapeze swing to recognize pendulum motions. Details »
Explore the concept of linear momentum and recreate the momentum transfer of the trapeze act from the video using skateboards. Calculate the momentum of marbles rolling down a ramp to verify the conservation of momentum. Details »
Design a virtual rollercoaster using Rollercoaster Tycoon and calculate the various g’s of the vertical and horizontal loops using the velocity and radius. Measure the centripetal acceleration acts of a spinning cork and analyze the data. Details »
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Everyone's Business
Explore entrepreneurship, competition in the market economy and additional topics including mergers, acquisitions, consolidation, joint ventures and hostile takeovers.
Global Population
Research population trends in developed and less developed countries and consider the political, social and environmental repercussions of discrepancies.
