Visualize the gravitational force that two objects exert on each other. Change properties of the objects in order to see how it changes the gravity force.

Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!

Build your own miniature "greenhouse" out of a plastic container and plastic wrap, and fill it with different things such as dirt and sand to observe the effect this has on temperature. Monitor the temperature using temperature probes and digitally plot the data on the graphs provided in the activity.

Explore how the Earth's atmosphere affects the energy balance between incoming and outgoing radiation. Using an interactive model, adjust realistic parameters such as how many clouds are present or how much carbon dioxide is in the air, and watch how these factors affect the global temperature.

Make your own miniature greenhouse and measure the light levels at different "times of day"--modeled by changing the angle of a lamp on the greenhouse--using a light sensor. Next, investigate the temperature in your greenhouse with and without a cover. Learn how a greenhouse works and how you can regulate the temperature in your model greenhouse.

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Two balls of equal mass are rolled down two tracks, one with a dip in it. Then, 4 tracks of different forms are compared. Looking at PE and KE for the Conservation of Energy.

Concepts include: PE, KE, and Conservation of Energy, also horizontal motion. Ph 4: conservation laws apply to all interactions. Ph 4b mechanical energy is conserved unless work is done on, by, or within the system. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Potential energy is the energy due to an object’s position or state (PH.4 b). Forces within a system transform energy from one form to another with no change in the system’s total energy (PH.4b). Horizontal motion independent of vertical Ph 2a.

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

In this demo, two balls are rolled down a ramp, one with greater mass. They hit a plate near the bottom which illustrates the relationship between mass, momentum, force and impulse.
VA SOL PH. 4, 4a

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

In this video, Alison Gaylord uses a CO2 powered "rocket cart" to demonstrate the conservation of momentum and propulsion, and shows that the momentum of the system is equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction, ensuring the momenta of the system always equals zero.
VA SOL PH. 4a, 2a

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

This demo uses an Electrostatic Sphere to demonstrate charges and includes examples of effects of pie tins and hair placed near it. Electrostatics - Coulombs Law
VA SOL 7a, 7b

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

This demo includes a cart on a track with vectors identifying motion. Then, the cart slows, and the vector reverses to indicate motion, and the cart reverses direction.
VA SOL PH.3, 3a

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Demo: Using a scale to demonstrate that a=0 with two balanced forces.
VA SOL PH. 3a

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

This demo uses a scale and an elevator ride up and down - demonstrating Newton's Laws with unbalanced forces.
VA SOL PH. 3a, 3b

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

This demo illustrates dropping objects with air resistance and without, confirming that all objects fall at the same rate (g) It includes discussion of a similar experiment done by NASA astronauts on the moon.

VA SOL PH. 2d

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

This demo illustrates that two objects fired horizontally or dropped vertically (from the same height and with the same initial x or y velocity, respectively, will hit the ground at the same time.
VA SOL PH. 2d

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

This demo includes a stuffed monkey and a “tranquilizer dart” to demonstrate that In a uniform vertical gravitational field with negligible air resistance, horizontal and vertical components of the motion of a projectile are independent of one another with constant horizontal velocity and constant vertical acceleration.
VA SOL PH. 2d

Hands on Physics is a co-production of Blue Ridge PBS ECHO and Virtual Virginia. The episodes were all recorded in the demonstration physics lab at Virginia ...

Discover how electricity can be converted into other forms of energy such as light and heat. Connect resistors and holiday light bulbs to simple circuits and monitor the temperature over time. Investigate the differences in temperature between the circuit with the resistor and the circuit using the bulb.

This lesson has students create a hands-on model that accurately explains seasonal changes on Earth and develop knowledge of the Sun-Earth system.

Being able to control the movement of electrons is fundamental for making all electronic devices work. Discover how electric and magnetic fields can be used to move electrons around. Begin by exploring the relationship between electric forces and charges with vectors. Then, learn about electron fields. Finally, test your knowledge in a fun "Electron Shooting" game!

Use the Sound Grapher to create visualizations of sound and learn about the frequency, wavelength, amplitude and velocity of sound waves.