This computer visualization activity is designed to help upper division undergraduate students visualize the motion of a hockey puck located on the surface of the earth. Students work in groups and use a computer animation to explain trajectories of a hockey puck in different reference frames, taking into account the Coriolis effect. The whole class wrap-up discussion summarizes the possible trajectories the hockey puck can take, helping students visualize the motion of objects in a rotating reference frame.

This material is part of the Paradigms in Physics project at Oregon State University. This work promotes the use of active student learning in upper division physics courses. Both learning materials and learning strategies are provided to help both students and instructors.