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Created 9/16/15. Updates available online.

Friction

Friction Screenshot
  • Friction
  • Thermodynamics
  • Heat
Flash Logo Original Sim and Translations

About

Topics

  • Friction
  • Thermodynamics
  • Heat

Description

Learn how friction causes a material to heat up and melt. What happens on an atomic level when you rub two objects together?

Sample Learning Goals

  • Describe a model for friction a molecular level.
  • Describe matter in terms of molecular motion. The description should include: diagrams to support the description, how the temperature affects the image, what are the differences and similarities between solid, liquid and gas particle motion; how the size and speed of gas molecules relate to everyday objects.
Version 1.1.0

For Teachers

Teacher-Submitted Activities

Title Gold Star Contribution Contribution by PhET Authors Level Type Updated
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS		 HW
CQs
Demo
Lab		 5/27/15
Energy Skate Park-NGSS aligned HS A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. PhET NGSS 2014 Workgroup HS CQs
Lab		 5/27/15
Modeling Friction (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS Demo 5/27/15
Kinetic Molecular theory review A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS
UG-Intro		 CQs
Demo		 5/27/15
Phases of Matter A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. Dr. Wendy Adams MS
HS
UG-Intro		 Lab 8/20/15
Friction demonstration This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Adv
UG-Intro
HS		 Demo 9/2/15
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer HS
MS		 Other 8/23/15
PhET Simulations Aligned for AP Physics C Roberta Tanner HS Other 8/12/15

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Software Requirements

Windows 7+ Mac OS 10.7+ iPad and iPad Mini with iOS Chromebook with Chrome OS
Internet Explorer 10+
latest versions of Chrome and Firefox
Safari 6.1 and up
latest versions of Chrome and Firefox
latest version of Safari
latest version of Chrome

Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Noah Podolefsky (lead)
  • Michael Dubson (lead, developer)
  • John Blanco (developer)
  • Jonathan Olson (developer)
  • Bryce Gruneich
  • Ariel Paul
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Carl Wieman
  • Wendy Adams (interviewer)
  • Mindy Gratny (interviewer)
  • Emily B. Moore (interviewer)
  • Mobile Learner Labs
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