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the PhET
written by the UTeach - University of Texas
This middle school lesson plan blends a classroom experiment with the interactive PhET simulation Masses and Springs. Students design and conduct an experiment to test their predictions about the behavior of springs with masses attached. The simulation is used to explore kinetic and potential energy of spring motion and to visualize how the spring moves on different planets with varied gravitational constants. The lesson provides extensive background information for both educators and learners, scripted teacher discussion, student guides, and assessment materials with answer keys.
The simulation required to complete this activity is available from PhET at: Masses & Springs Simulation. This lesson is part of the PhET (Physics Education Technology Project), a large collection of free interactive science simulations. Please note that this resource requires Flash.
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)1. The Nature of Science
1B. Scientific Inquiry
4. The Physical Setting
4E. Energy Transformations
4F. Motion
4G. Forces of Nature
9. The Mathematical World
9B. Symbolic Relationships
11. Common Themes
11B. Models
12. Habits of Mind
12C. Manipulation and Observation
12E. Critical-Response Skills
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsStandards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)
MP.3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Measurement and Data (K-5)
Represent and interpret data. (1-5)
Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6-7)
Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve
problems. (6)
Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world
and mathematical problems. (7)
Common Core State Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12
Key Ideas and Details (6-12)
Common Core State Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6—12
Text Types and Purposes (6-12)
Research to Build and Present Knowledge (6-12)
NSES Content Standards
Con.B: Physical Science
This resource is part of 2 Physics Front Topical Units.
Topic: Dynamics: Forces and Motion
Unit Title: Applications of Newton's Laws This blended learning activity is highly recommended to help kids form deep understanding of the forces that act on a spring with mass attached. It combines a lab with a PhET simulation. Students identify the research question, make predictions, conduct a fair test, then compare their lab results to the simulation. With the sim, they can explore kinetic/potential energy transformation and "transport" their springs to different planets with varied gravitational constants. (Contains content support, student guides, & assessment/answer key.) Links to Units:
Topic: Periodic and Simple Harmonic Motion
Unit Title: Conservation of Energy and Forces on a Spring This blended learning activity is highly recommended to help kids form deep understanding of the forces that act on a spring with mass attached. It combines a lab with a PhET simulation. Students identify the research question, make predictions, conduct a fair test, then compare their lab results to the simulation. With the sim, they can explore kinetic/potential energy transformation and "transport" their springs to different planets with varied gravitational constants. (Contains content support, student guides, & assessment/answer key.) Links to Units:
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![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=12425">UTeach - University of Texas. PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces. Boulder: PhET, June 22, 2012.</a>
![]() UTeach - University of Texas, (PhET, Boulder, 2012), WWW Document, (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543).
![]() UTeach - University of Texas, PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces (PhET, Boulder, 2012), <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543>.
![]() UTeach - University of Texas. (2012, June 22). PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from PhET: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543
![]() UTeach - University of Texas. PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces. Boulder: PhET, June 22, 2012. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543 (accessed 27 April 2025).
![]() UTeach - University of Texas. PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces. Boulder: PhET, 2012. 22 June 2012. 27 Apr. 2025 <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543>.
![]() @misc{
Author = "UTeach - University of Texas",
Title = {PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces},
Publisher = {PhET},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {27 April 2025},
Month = {June 22, 2012},
Year = {2012}
}
![]() %Q UTeach - University of Texas %T PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces %D June 22, 2012 %I PhET %C Boulder %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543 %O application/pdf ![]() %0 Electronic Source %A UTeach - University of Texas, %D June 22, 2012 %T PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces %I PhET %V 2025 %N 27 April 2025 %8 June 22, 2012 %9 application/pdf %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3543 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 5 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. PhET Teacher Activities: Experimental Design with Forces:
Requires
PhET Simulation: Masses & Springs
A link to the PhET simulation Masses & Springs, which must be running in order to complete this lesson. relation by Caroline Hall
Same topic as
PhET Teacher Activities: Introduction to Oscillations
Link to another lesson created by PhET teacher-fellows for middle school. This lesson introduces frequency and period as students work to design a safe bungee jump for an amusement park. relation by Caroline HallKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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Requires
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