Resources by Institute of Physics
Displaying 41 - 50 of 412
Day and Night, Seasons
In this activity developed by the Institute of Physics, students model the motion of a planet around a star and investigate how day and night and seasons may be different on other planets. Working in pairs or small groups, students demonstrate night and day and seasons to each other. They can then go on to model...
Daytime astronomy
An activity where students use telescopes or binoculars to project an image of the sun onto a screen. Using a microwave oven, they then calculate the speed of light.
Defying Gravity
The 2013 Institute of Physics Schools Lecture - Defying Gravity: Laura Thomas, an independent science communicator with a background in astrophysics, talks about the physics of space flight. She explains how studying physics and mathematics could...
Diffraction of Laser Light
In this short video, from the National STEM Learning Centre and Network and the Institute of Physics, Michael de Podesta explains how a laser can be used to show the diffraction and interference of light. Using a laser pen in the classroom, the wave nature of light is demonstrated as a thin wire is used to...
Do Try This at Home*suitable for home teaching*
This set of twelve colourful postcards provides hands on activities which link to the topics of electricity, sound, forces, and changes of state. Ideal for use in the classroom, the mini-investigations are fun to do and get children thinking about the concepts involved. They are also perfect for use in after school...
This is a set of colourful postcards that explore simple but exciting physics experiments. Some schools have been sending these postcards home as commendation certificates to...
Do Try This at Home: the Light Collection *suitable for home teaching*
This series of Marvin and Milo cards have been pulled together for the International Year of Light 2015. They include eight simple experiments that can be performed at home that link in to the theme of light, using: - A torch and a bottle to show total internal reflection - A glass of water to make a lens - Milk...
Earth and the Solar System
This resource from Physicists in Primary Schools (PIPS) supports the teaching of Earth and Space at Key Stage Two. A presentation introduces Earth and the planets of our solar system, with an activity in which children help demonstrate the relative sizes of planets and the distances between them. It moves on to...
Electric Motor
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video shows a simple method for making an electric motor using a battery, strong magnets and a copper coil. It allows students to investigate Fleming's left hand rule and the forces generated in an electric motor.
Electric Sausage
In this video, produced by the National STEM Learning Centre and Network and the Institute of Physics, Michael de Podesta has a unique twist to demonstrate static electricity and charge. Small pieces of paper are attracted to a statically-charged balloon. Amazingly, so is a sausage. This short video illustrates...