Affordable Physics Labs: Teaching Forces & Friction with Everyday Items

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on affordable methods for teaching physics concepts such as forces and friction using everyday items in a budget-constrained educational environment. The use of inclined planes covered with sandpaper is highlighted as an effective way to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction. Additionally, resources like PASCO's VideoPoint and Vernier's Video Physics software are recommended for enhancing the learning experience despite limited lab equipment. A key takeaway is that the angle of inclination required to initiate motion is independent of the weight of the object.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly forces and friction.
  • Familiarity with inclined planes and their role in physics experiments.
  • Knowledge of using video analysis software such as PASCO VideoPoint or Vernier Video Physics.
  • Ability to conduct experiments with everyday materials for educational purposes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to effectively use PASCO VideoPoint for physics experiments.
  • Explore the capabilities of Vernier Video Physics for analyzing motion.
  • Investigate various materials that can be used to create inclined planes for friction experiments.
  • Learn about the principles of kinetic friction and how to measure it in a classroom setting.
USEFUL FOR

Student teachers, physics educators, and anyone involved in teaching physics concepts in resource-limited environments will benefit from this discussion.

superdave
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So I'm student teaching right now in a poor school with a physics program less than 3 years old. The lab equipment is not great.

So I'm trying to set up a lab on forces, friction, etc... but there is not a lot of the stuff I'm used to using like the tape timers to measure acceleration. But we don't have those.

So what can I do on a small budget or with every day items?
 
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Since the coefficient of (kinetic) friction can be measured with an inclined plane, why not cover a board with sandpaper and have the students measure the inclination angles for a range of objects: metal, wood, plastic...

One important result is that the angle at which motion begins is independent of the weight of the sliding object.
 
I deeply respect people who are engaged in self-education. Nevertheless the problem of self-education is as follows. A person reads textbooks and forms his own opinion about what he has read. Then he tries to solve a problem and faces the fact that his answer is not equal to the one in the end of the book. Then he goes to specialists and asks them what the story is. He expects that specialists will help him to solve the problem and they will do that by using his own understandings and...

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