PHY 120

This program explores basic electricity as it was perceived by Benjamin Franklin and other early theorists, as well as the principles of positive and negative charge, conduction and induction, atoms and electrons, and elementary charge. Coulomb’s law is related in detail, including the torsion balance experiment that led to the breakthrough. Insulators, semiconductors, and superconductors are also explained and demonstrated. Specific modules include Electricity, Positive and Negative, Conduction and Induction, Atoms and Charge, Elementary Charge, Coulomb’s Law, and Insulators and Conductors. Correlates to all National CTE Organizational Standards (including the provisions of the Perkins Act). A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. Previously sold individually. A Shopware Production. (32 minutes)

Students learn Newton's Laws of Motion through demonstrations and explanations. Force is measured in Newtons.

Conveniently structured in short clip format, this program uses animations, live footage, and examples of relevant formulas to present key concepts about mechanics and light. The mechanics section covers scalars and vectors, equations of motions, projectile and circular motions, Newton’s laws of motion, kinetic and potential energies, energy conservation, collisions, and conservation of momentum. The light section covers wave-particle duality, wave equation, combining light of different colors, reflection in plane and curved mirrors, refraction, convex and concave lenses, polarization, diffraction, interference, and the photoelectric effect. A viewable/printable worksheet is available online. (25 minutes)

This program examines the basic elements of the scientific method: defining and researching the problem, forming a hypothesis, gathering information through experimentation and observation, analyzing the data, forming a conclusion, and communicating the results. Practical applications of the scientific method, such as testing new medicines and analyzing the performance of sporting goods, are included as well. Correlates to the National Science Education Standards developed by the National Academies of Science and Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A Cambridge Educational Production. (23 minutes)

What are electromagnetic waves and how was it discovered that light is made of them? How were all the electromagnetic waves (like radio waves) that we can't even see discovered? And how do these electromagnetic waves affect our lives? In this exceptional program, science teacher Spiro Liacos introduces students to waves in general, and then takes a detailed and entertaining look at radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. Along the way he surfs, plays guitar and piano, flies a remote controlled helicopter, dives into the ocean, visits the dentist, and spends some time in the tropical sun. This program is a great way to teach students all about electromagnetic waves.

Using exciting live-action demonstrations and easy-to-understand animation, this video delves into the fundamental concepts of reflection and its relationship to light, vision, and the physical world. Topics include: What is reflection? How do mirrors form images? How do they reflect light differently depending on their properties? In what way are mirror images different from two-dimensional photographs? How does our ability to see in three dimensions affect the way we see mirror images? Can animals see things in mirrors? And how do periscopes work? These questions, and many more, are answered in this entertaining and informative program, which includes a variety of optical illusions and magic tricks that incorporate reflection. Viewers will never look into a mirror in the same way again! (45 minutes)