In this paper we describe the results of some experiments about using surprising physics demonstrations, presented as magical phenomena followed by scientific explanations, for introducing physics topics in several teaching contexts. All the demonstrations have been designed to be implemented with easy to get and cheap materials, so that students…

Presents activities to teach the concept of projectile motion to high school students using a spring-loaded dart gun, carbon paper, meterstick, ruler, white paper, tape, and a student's desk. (JRH)

Explores strategies in the situation of a runner trying to evade a tackler on a football field. Enables the student to test intuitive strategies in a familiar situation using simple graphical and numerical methods or direct experimentation. (JRH)

Shows that the conventional wisdom about the extreme inaccuracy of stopwatch measurements during the acceleration and free fall of objects is mistaken. (ZWH)

Describes an experiment for determining the acceleration of a projectile. (SL)

Provides an answer to the question of why it is easy to miss when shooting uphill or downhill. Experimental results indicate that when shooting uphill or downhill, sight should not be adjusted to actual distance but to distance multiplied by the cosine of the inclination angle. (JN)

Describes an advanced high school physics experiment demonstrating rotational kinematics and dynamics, using simple equipment such as empty coffee cans, inclined planes, meter sticks, and a large 10-second demonstration timer. (CS)

Presents three motion experiments that use magnetic switches for marking position and time involving an inclined plane, an air track, and sprinting. (JRH)

Provides a laboratory experiment using a pendulum on the conservation of energy. The activity has an easy analysis, accurate results, and is enjoyable for the students. (MVL)

Describes a student investigation of a reverse flame in a atmosphere of methane that won second place in the physics division of the International Science and Engineering Fair. Includes a discussion of falling and fracturing behavior, specifically dealing with chimneys, trees, pencil point, stirring rods, and chalk. (BT)

Describes an experiment in which an air table is used to measure the moment of inertia of air pucks with various radii and mass loadings. (BT)

Describes an experiment to study the motion of a rocket-propelled vehicle over the entire duration of the engine burn using a video system with a frame-by-frame playback and a Sonic Ranger for ultrasonic position movements. Enables students to study the impulse-momentum principle and the effects of a time-varying force. (JRH)

Describes a laboratory activity in which students speculate about the extent to which Galileo actually performed an experiment to determine that all pendulums of a given length have the same period, independent of amplitude. (WRM)

Newton's laws can be illustrated by having physics students participate in various activities while on roller skates. Several examples of such activities (including photographs) are provided. (JN)

Offers a relatively simple analysis of the asymmetrical "sticking" and rolling behavior of two balls, one steel and one rubber, on an incline. Describes an Interactive Physics (TM) simulation designed to study the problem and gives rough experimental results. (WRM)