Thermal Physics

Bernoulli Challenge I recently designed this experiment as an enrichment activity for my students. I also thought it might be a interesting performance assessment. My experience with it has been good...there are a lot of uncontrolled variables in this regarding the water flow, so I have usually graded this based on the process rather than the result.

Bucket Lab This is one of my favorite experiments of the year. I have pre-drilled the buckets to varying hole sizes or positions on the bucket. Be prepared for water to be everywhere! So, have lots of paper towels on hand. I love watching the students tackle this challenge. Many of them will use volume displacement which does not really work to get the velocity of the exiting water. Depending on time, I will ask the groups to design an additional experiment of their own choosing. I often have whiteboarding sessions during this experiment to check in and share. I do not use the handout, but simply have a discussion about the experimental goals.

Buoyancy Lab Looking for an investigation into Archidemedes principle? This is another one that I have enjoyed doing over the years. Put out the materials and let them go...I have purchased a lot of density kits over the years to help.

Clay Boat Building I am going to put this one here, since it follows nicely with the Buoyancy Lab. This is more of a challenge for your students and one that I use as an enrichment exercise when I have some extra time (which does not happen often). There are many versions of this challenge on the internet.

Thermal Conductivity Lab Back when I had more time to teach heat transfer, I used to ask my students to complete this exercise. Another one that is very open ended and it will really only work if you have plenty of materials around your classroom for the students to experiment with.