Resources by Institute of Physics (IOP)

Episode 205: Describing Motion

From the Institute of Physics, this episode introduces (or revises) the equations of motion. During a practical task, students undertake direct measurements to ensure that they understand the basic physics of velocity, distance and time.

Activities help students to understand:
• scalars and vectors,...

Episode 206: Uniform and Non-uniform Acceleration

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at basic kinematics and introduces the equations of motion for uniform acceleration. It involves practicing calculations and compares uniform with non-uniform acceleration.

Activities look at:
• non-uniform acceleration down a ramp
•...

Episode 207: Projectile Motion

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at the independence of vertical and horizontal motion. The crucial concept is that vertical acceleration does not affect horizontal velocity. This explains all projectile motion. There are a range of activities which include: • demonstrating and discussing...

Episode 208: Preparation for Drag Forces

From the Institute of Physics, this topic concerns resistive forces against motion. It begins by considering drag forces in general before shifting the focus to air resistance. Students look at the forces such as up-thrust, drag, air resistance and terminal velocity. Following the topic, students should be able to...

Episode 209: Drag, Air Resistance, Terminal Velocity

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode considers the forces acting on a falling body in air and moves on to related experimental work.

The activities include:
• demonstrating the motion of...

Episode 210: Preparation for Newton’s Laws of Motion

In these materials from the Institute of Physics, students revise the laws of motion and investigate the relationship between force and acceleration.

There are two learning episodes in this topic:

Episode 211: Newton’s second law of motion

Episode 212:...

Episode 211: Newton’s Second Law of Motion

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode explores Newton’s second law, F = ma. Using simple apparatus, students investigate this law and critically consider the limits of the experiment.

The...

Episode 212: Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Produced by the Institute of Physics, in this learning episode students discuss Newton's third law and use examples to clarify their understanding of its application.

The activities in this learning episode include:
* discussing Newton's third law
* understanding force pairs
* examining...

Episode 213: Preparation for Work, Energy and Power Topic

From the Institute of Physics, this series of learning episodes explore work, energy and power. Students perform some useful experiments with trolleys, weights and pulleys. Students should have a simple understanding of energy, how it is transferred by a force and the idea of conservation of energy. In these...

Episode 214: Work Done by a Force

In this learning episode from the Institute of Physics, students tackle practical work looking at the efficiency of a ramp to think of force as a mechanism by which energy is transferred from one body to another. The activities include: • discussing students' current understanding of force, gravity, energy and work...