This paper describes an open-ended inquiry lab exercise dealing with inclined planes that I have used in my introductory high school physics classes. It involves making some simple force and distance measurements, calculating the work done by various forces, analyzing results, and explaining them in a conceptual way. The laboratory exercise is adaptable to various levels of instruction, from guided inquiry and conceptual explanations to complete inquiry with mathematical derivations.
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© 2005 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2005
American Association of Physics Teachers
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