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History and Philosophy of Physics

This topic is broken into units to help in formulating cohesive, effective lessons. Clicking on each unit title below will display appropriate activities, lesson plans, or labs.

Unit materials are a subset of all possible materials available for this topic, selected especially with the new physics teacher in mind. You may instead browse all materials for this topic here.


Algebra-Based Physics History and Philosophy of Physics Units

The growth of physics has brought not only fundamental changes in ideas about the material world, mathematics and philosophy, but also, through technology, a transformation of society. Physics is considered both a body of knowledge and the practice that makes and transmits that knowledge. Units are not listed in a prescribed order.

  Physics and Metaphysics (8)

Lesson Plans:


Activities:

This resource integrates historical documents and drawings to explore Benjamin Franklin's experiments using lightning rods.  It includes a translation of a 1752 experiment conducted in France, full text of Franklin's letters on the subject, and historic journal articles describing how to use lightning rods to protect buildings.  It is part of a larger collection by the author, where related activities for the modern  (Open Website)

This item is one in a series of nine educator's guides on Benjamin Franklin's experiments.  This page, focusing on the famous kite experiment, features Franklin's historic letters and descriptions, as well as related drawings and schematics from the 18th century.  The author provides insight into the history of electrostatic investigations.  Related resources integrating classroom labs and activities are available within the series.  (Open Website)


References and Collections:

This is an online exhibit on Leonardo da Vinci, with references and activities relating to both his scientific and artistic work.  (Open Website)


Content Support For Teachers:

The Center for History of Physics preserves and traces the history of physics and defines its role in understanding modern physics  (Open Website)



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