Easy Ways to Make Physics Projects

Physics can be enjoyable if you keep projects simple, fresh and informative.

Successful, fun physics projects ask questions students want answers to. Project ideas need to engage students, remain simple and be easy to formulate. Encourage the students to think creatively. Build your own, inexpensive props. Use everyday objects as your equipment so that the students appreciate how accessible the subject can be.

Light Spectra

Develop a simple project about the behavior and structure of light. Shine different light sources through a variety of objects to see how the spectra produced vary. Use inexpensive plastic gratings, holographs, fluorescent lightbulbs, crystals and gas-filled Geissler tubes. Geissler tubes, for example, operate at a high voltage and commonly power neon advertisements. Each tube is filled with a different gas, which creates a unique color, including mercury, argon and neon. Photograph the patterns produced by the different objects and light sources, then compare them.

The Rolling Yo-Yo

Investigate yo-yo motion. Students will learn how the yo-yo moves and why. Pull the string horizontally, at an angle, and straight upwards and record what happens. Talk about speed, acceleration (changing speed) and force. Discuss gravity, friction, drag and energy.

Build A Model Atom

Create a simple project about atomic structure. Build a model that opens in half so the students can see inside. Use a spongy football cut down the center with a craft knife. Glue together differently colored marbles to make the central nucleus of protons and neutrons. Use smaller marbles as the outer electrons and glue them to the ball surface. Ask each student to choose their own atom from the periodic table and make it into a model, adding the right number of sub-atomic particles.

Build A Trebuchet

A trebuchet is a siege engine that was used in medieval battles. Create a tabletop version that measures about 12 inches, from everyday materials. The trebuchet is a type of catapult, so the physics behind the missiles involves more than just straight-line motion. Teach projectile motion using the trebuchet as your demonstration tool. Change the speed of missile launch, the distance the missile travels and discuss the potential damage missiles could cause.

References

• Lock Haven University; Physics Toys, Tricks and Teasers; Donald E. Simanek; 2004
• Storm The Castle: How To Build A Trebuchet

Resources

• Stanford Computer Science: Rigid Body Physics Engine
• SUNY-Bufalo State College; Inexpensive and Simple Pinhole Camera; Douglas Weiss