The Ramp
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About
Topics
- Force
- Energy
- Work
Description
Explore forces, energy and work as you push household objects up and down a ramp. Lower and raise the ramp to see how the angle of inclination affects the parallel forces acting on the file cabinet. Graphs show forces, energy and work.
Sample Learning Goals
- Explain the motion of an object on an incline plane by drawing free body diagrams.
- Calculate the net force on an object on an incline.
For Teachers
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Title |
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Authors | Level | Type |
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Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
CQs |
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
Demo CQs Lab HW |
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | |
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | ||
Kinematics | Wang Yunhe | HS | Lab | ||
PhET Simulations Aligned for AP Physics C | Roberta Tanner | HS | Other | ||
The Ramp PhET Lab | Chris Bires | HS | Lab | ||
Work Energy on a Ramp | Kristy Bibbey | HS | Lab | ||
The Ramp Mechanical Advantage and Efficiency | Tim Perry | MS | Lab | ||
Work - Energy | Sarah Stanhope | HS | Lab | ||
Forces in 1 and 2 Dimensions | Sarah Stanhope | HS | Lab | ||
Ramp Simulation Activity | Drew Isola | HS | CQs | ||
Intro to energy | Leslie Trexler | MS | Lab | ||
The Ramp--Conservation of Energy | Chris Cochran | MS | Lab |
Translations
Software Requirements
Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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OS 10.5 or later Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later
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Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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Credits
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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