Deflating Soap Bubble ` - Jan 20, 2015

A Tracker experiment that uses video analysis tool to study the rate at which a soap bubble shrinks as it deflates through a capillary tube. Combining this data with an independent determination of the surface tension of the soap solution enables you to determine the viscosity of air.

Coupled Compass Oscillations Video Analysis Activity ` - Jun 26, 2014

The Coupled Compass Oscillations Video Analysis Activity explores the behavior of a pair of loosely coupled compass needles in air with weak damping. The needles are far enough apart that the magnetic interaction between their magnetic dipoles is much weaker than their interaction with the Earth's magnetic field. The resulting motion displays beats--when one compass is momentarily at rest, the other oscillates with maximum amplitude.

Tracker Video Analysis: Angry Birds in Space ` - Jun 17, 2012

What type of force is exerted on Angry Birds in Space?  The video analysis in this item explores the physics behind the game. This Tracker model was featured in Rhett Allain's Wired magazine Dot Physics blog.

Fluorescence Spectra ` - Jan 19, 2012

The Fluorescence Spectra experiment uses Tracker to explore fluorescence and fluorescent lamps. Students observe the spectra directly, measure brightness versus wavelength in Tracker, and answer qualitative and quantitative questions. The spectra include a fluorescent dye, a mercury lamp and two fluorescent lamps, all with red and green laser spots added for easy calibration.

Measurement of the Solar Rotation Rate with Tracker ` - Jan 14, 2012

The Measurement of the Solar Rotation Rate with Tracker Lab uses the Tracker video analysis tool to measure and analyze the motion of sunspots to determine the solar rotation rate.  This lab uses 31 still images taken 1 day apart of the Sun.  Images taken by the SDO satellite.

Measurement of the Sidereal Day with Tracker ` - Jan 14, 2012

The Measurement of the Sidereal Day with Tracker Lab uses the Tracker video analysis tool to measure and analyze the motion stars near Polaris (the North Celestial Pole) to determine the length of the sidereal day.  This exercise uses 13 still images taken 10 minutes apart of the night sky near Polaris.

Projectile Motion with Angry Birds ` - Jan 12, 2012

The Projectile Motion with Angry Birds lab uses the original video from Rovio, the makers of Angry Birds and the Tracker video analysis tool to measure and analyze the motion an angry bird projected from a slingshot to hit a pig. This OSP item was inspired by Rhett Allain's Dot Physics, a physics blog for Wired.