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Activity Guide: Projectile Motion

Source: PBS/OPB: Circus Offline Activity/Project

Consider how gravity affects the trajectory of a projectile object by calculating the height of a ball juggled on Earth, the Moon and Jupiter using the height formula. Analyze data of projectile motion from the circus and construct a giant parabola. Details »

Activity Guide: Newton's Laws of Motion

Source: PBS/OPB: Circus Offline Activity/Project

Discuss Newton's Laws of Motion and see how they are used in the circus dog show video. Utilize Newton's laws to estimate the mass of a car, calculate acceleration and analyze the motion of circus performers with VideoPoint. Details »

Conservation of Angular Momentum

Source: PBS/OPB: Circus Lesson Plan

Observe how angular momentum is conserved in this video-enhanced lesson plan. Understand that acrobats and ice skaters are able to rotate faster by keeping their arms and legs tucked close to their centers of mass. Details »

Conservation of Energy

Source: PBS/OPB: Circus Lesson Plan

Explore the law of energy conservation, learning the difference between kinetic, potential and elastic energies. See how energy is conserved in an aerial acrobatics show in this video-enhanced lesson plan. Details »

Centripetal Acceleration

Source: PBS/OPB: Circus Lesson Plan

Explore circular motion and learn how trick riders in the circus use centripetal acceleration in this video-enhanced lesson plan. Figure out the velocity needed to go through a loop in a roller coaster. Details »

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