Resources by Institute of Physics

Episode 323: Diffraction

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students observe diffraction using a ripple tank or laser.

The activities include:
* simple ways to observe diffraction
* demonstration of diffraction using a ripple tank or laser
* deriving the formula for minima in the diffraction...

Episode 324: Stationary or Standing Waves

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students look at standing waves in musical instruments and measure their wavelength. Microwaves are used to estimate the speed of light.

The activities include:
* demonstrating waves in a rope
* how superposition results in standing waves...

Episode 400: Preparation for Gravitational Fields Topic *suitable for home teaching*

This series of sessions, produced by the Institute of Physics, develops the idea that Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation is precisely that; universal. Every single object with a mass in the universe gravitationally attracts every other object with mass. By following the learning episodes in this topic, students...

Episode 401: Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students discuss and see worked examples that introduce Newton’s law of universal gravitation for point and spherical masses.

Students practice calculations of the force between objects. The meaning of the inverse square law is discussed.

...

Episode 402: Fields, Field Lines and Field Strength

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, introduces the notion of a field of force and how it can be diagrammatically represented using field lines. The actual strength of the field at a point in space is defined by the field strength. The activities include: • discussing fields and field lines •...

Episode 403: Orbital Motion

Through discussion and worked examples, this learning episode from the Institute of Physics, enables students to combine concepts of circular motion with Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation to understand the motion of satellites. It includes an explanation of Kepler’s third law.

The activities look at:...

Episode 404: Gravitational Potential Energy

From the Institute of Physics, this resource uses discussion, worked examples and modelling to help students appreciate the energy changes that take place as a body moves in a gravitational field. The learning episode is quite extended and gives a good grounding in these ideas.

The activities look at:...

Episode 405: Preparation for Electric Fields Topic *suitable for home teaching*

This topic, from the Institute of Physics, explores electric fields and draws the comparison between these and gravitational fields. They both follow inverse square laws, and so their equations look very similar. The topic includes a series of learning episodes which are self-contained and last one or two lessons...

Episode 406: Fields, Field Lines and Equipotentials

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode introduce students to electric fields, field lines and equipotentials. Similarities with gravitational fields are highlighted, but with the need to take account of the of charge.

The activities include:
• discussion and demonstration of field...

Episode 407: Coulomb’s Law

This learning resource, from the Institute of Physics, introduce students to Coulomb’s law which describes the force between two charges. The activities compare this to the way Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation gives the force between two masses. Both follow the inverse-square law. The difference being that an...