Lab Materials Selection Worksheet
Conceptual Physics
These questions will help expedite the selection of items needed for your Conceptual
Physics (CP) class. Complete the worksheet before beginning to select equipment at
www.arborsci.com.
1.
2.
3.
4.
How many teachers will be teaching CP?
How many students will be taking CP?
How many separate sections are scheduled?
How many student groups will be in the largest section? (Labs are
most effective with groups of 3-4 students each.)
The number of lab groups is the most important factor in choosing the correct amount of
equipment. Recommended quantities of most lab materials should be based on
students breaking out into lab groups. Therefore, supply quantities should be based on
the number of lab groups in your class, the amount of consumable supply quantities and
the number of times the lab would done for each period.
5. Do you have a computer available that the whole class can view?
6. Do you have computers for each student group?
A few of the labs in CP call for computer-based measurements. Many others can be
greatly enhanced with the addition of a computer data collection equipment (timers,
photogates and motion sensors). We recommend one Timer and Photogate set per
student group, but you can easily adjust this number to suit your capabilities. If you
have only one classroom demonstration computer, choose a quantity of 1 for the Timer
& Photogate and the Go! Motion Sensor. For more information on this equipment, click
the title link of each lab.
We realize that few teachers are able to cover every chapter or complete every lab, and
few teachers need every piece of equipment listed in the entire lab manual. You will
have the opportunity to choose equipment for one lab at a time, creating a master list.
You can then eliminate duplicate items and adjust quantities to suit your class size and
budget. Use the following outline as a guide and choose which chapters and labs will
best meet your goals. Many teachers recommend one lab per week (usually 30-35
total). Check your own schedule and plan ahead before buying equipment.
To help you with your planning, we consulted Paul Robinson, author of the Conceptual
Physics Laboratory Manual. The “Recommended” labs marked in the following chart
are the labs that Robinson’s students normally complete in his physics class. They
reflect his preferences and may or may not meet the needs of your individual school.
Check the box next to chapters and labs you will include in your curriculum.
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
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At the top of the page, there is a section labeled “Required Materials” this
includes items used many times throughout the year. They should be considered
required for any CP curriculum.
Conceptual Physics
Recommended X
Enhancement Lab
Your Choices
Lab
X

Chapter 1: About Science
1
Amassing a Penny's Worth
Chapter 2: Mechanical Equilibrium
2
3
4
5
Smart Ropes
24-Hour Towing Service
Sail With the Wind
Weight of a Sign
X
X
Chapter 3: Newton’s First Law of Motion-Inertia
6
7
8
X
Demos on Motion
Going Nuts
Buckle Up!
The Physics 500
X
Chapter 4: Linear Motion
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
X
The Domino Effect
Reaction Time
Merrily We Roll Along
Blind As a Bat
Bring Home the Bacon
What a Drag!
Impact Speed
Chapter 5: Projectile Motion
16
17
X
X
Bull's Eye
Anatomy of a Homer
Chapter 6: Newton’s Second Law of Motion
18
19
20
Getting Pushy
Constant Force and Changing Mass
Constant Mass and Changing Force
X
X
X
Chapter 7: Newton’s Third Law of Motion
21
22
X
Tension
Tug-of-War
Chapter 8: Momentum
23
24
25
Egg Toss
Conserving Your Momentum
Go Cart
X
Chapter 9: Energy
26
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
X
Demos on Energy
Making the Grade
X
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Lab
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Muscle Up!
Cut Short
Conserving Your Energy
Wrap Your Energy in a Bow
How Hot Are Your Wheels?
Releasing Your Potential
Slip-Stick
Recommended X
Enhancement Lab
Your Choices
X
X
X

Chapter 10: Circular Motion
34
35
36
Demos on Rotation and Orbit
Going in Circles
The Flying Pig
Torque Feeler
X
X
X
Chapter 11: Rotational Equilibrium
37
38
39
40
X
X
Where's Your CG?
Weighing an Elephant
Solitary Seesaw
Keeping in Balance
X
Chapter 12: Rotational Motion
41
42
X
Rotational Derby
On or Off the Mark?
Chapter 13: Universal Gravitations
43
44
45
46
Apparent Weightlessness
Getting Eccentric
Tracking Mars
Chapter 14: Satellite Motion
Trial and Error
Chapter 15: Special Relativity—Space and Time
Chapter 16: Special Relativity—Length, Momentum,
and Energy
X
X
X
Chapter 17: The Atomic Nature of Matter
47
48
X
Demos on Matter
Flat as a Pancake
Extra Small
X
X
Chapter 18: Solids
49
50
Stretch
Geometric Physics
Chapter 19: Liquids
51
52
53
X
X
Eureka!
Sink or Swim
Float a Big Stick
Chapter 20: Gases
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
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Recommended X
Enhancement Lab
Lab
Your Choices
Chapter 21: Temperature, Heat, and Expansion
54
55
56
57
58
Demos on Heat
Heat Mixes: Part I
Heat Mixes: Part II
Temperature of a Flame
Antifreeze in the Summer?
The Bridge Connection
X

X
X
X
X
Chapter 22: Heat Transfer
59
60
Cooling Off
Solar Equality

Chapter 23: Change of Phase
61
62
63
64
65
66
Boiling is a Cooling Process
Melting Away
Getting Steamed Up
LN is Cool Stuff
Work for Your Ice Cream
The Drinking Bird
X
X
Chapter 24: Thermodynamics
67
The Uncommon Cold
Chapter 25: Vibrations and Waves
68
69
70
71
Demos on Sound and Waves
Tick-Tock
Grandfather's Clock
Catch a Wave
Ripple While You Work
X
X
X
X
Chapter 26: Sound
72
X
Mach One
Chapter 27: Light
73
74
X
Demos on Light
Shady Business
Shades
X
Chapter 28: Color
75
76
Flaming Out
Why the Sky is Blue
Chapter 29: Reflection and Refraction
77
78
79
80
X
X
Images
Pepper's Ghost
The Kaleidoscope
Funland
Chapter 30: Lenses
81
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
Camera Obscura
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Lab
82
83
84
85
86
Recommended X
Enhancement Lab
Your Choices
X

X
X
X
Thin Lens
Lensless Lens
Air Lens
Bifocals
Where's the Point?
Chapter 31: Diffraction and Interference
87
88
X
Rainbows Without Rain
What's My Lambda?
Chapter 32: Electrostatics
89
90
X
Demos on Electricity and Magnetism
Static Cling
Sticky Electrostatics
Chapter 33: Electric Fields and Potential
Chapter 34: Electric Current
91
92
93
X
Sparky, the Electrician
Brown Out
Ohm Sweet Ohm
Chapter 35: Electric Circuits
94
95
96
Getting Wired
Cranking Up
3-Way Switch
X
X
Chapter 36: Magnetism
97
98
3D Magnetic Field
You're Repulsive
Chapter 37: Electromagnetic Induction
99
Motors and Generators
Chapter 38: The Atom and the Quantum
100 Particular Waves
101 Energy of a Proton
Chapter 39: The Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity
102 Nuclear Marbles
103 Half-Life
Chapter 40: Nuclear Fission and Fusion
104 Chain Reaction
Required Materials
The items in this list (basic supplies such as hooked
masses, meter sticks, thermometers, etc…) occur in
many labs throughout the CP lab manual. We
recommend a classroom set of each of these items.
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
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X
X
X
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Enhancement Lab Options
Arbor Scientific provides specialized equipment that can substitute for some of the general materials
listed in the CP Lab Manual. Each substitution is described below. Choose one or the other set of
equipment, not both, for each lab listed. (Example: Timer and Photogates substituted for Stopwatches)
For more information on any of these items click on the More Info link in the product summary provided
with each lab.
Chapter/Lab#
6.19
Lab
Many Labs
Items
Timer & Photogates, Go!
Motion Sensor, and other
sensors
Car & Ramp
Workshop Stand
Car & Ramp
Workshop Stand
Car & Ramp
Workshop Stand
9.26
Constant Force and
Changing Mass
Constant Mass and
Changing Force
Making the Grade
9.29
Conserving Your Energy
Pendulum Lab
Workshop Stand
25.68
Tick Tock
Pendulum Lab
Workshop Stand
25.69
Grandfather’s Clock
Pendulum Lab
Workshop Stand
25.70
30.82
Catch A Wave
Thin Lens
Yenka Physics software
Yenka Physics software
6.20
Can substitute for
Stopwatch, various
probes and sensors
Pulley, Adjustable
Dynamics Carts
Pulley, Adjustable
Dynamics Carts
Board
Ring Stand
Clamp
Dynamics Carts
Ring Stand
Pendulum Clamp
Pendulum Bob
String
Ring Stand
Pendulum Clamp
Pendulum Bob
String
Ring Stand
Pendulum Clamp
Pendulum Bob
String
Good Stuff software
Good Stuff software
Physics Workshop
The Physics Workshop is a collection of engaging, easy-to-use lab experiments crafted from sturdy
materials. The five labs in the collection are designed to integrate together, providing a complete handson study of the basics of force, motion, and simple machines. Some of the labs are listed here as
substitutes for other equipment, and some are recommended within the “Chapter Demos” listings, to
enhance student learning.
Car & Ramp
Allows students to experiment with the relationships among position, time, velocity, and
acceleration using datalogger technology. Later, they can use the apparatus for
experiments in force and simple machines. A teacher’s guide with student worksheets is
included, for additional explorations into force and motion.
Pendulum
Demonstrates properties of a pendulum (frequency, period) and the transfer of energy
from potential to kinetic. Using datalogger technology, students can perform quantitative
analysis on the Pendulum and test the law of conservation of energy. Teacher’s Guide
included for additional lab ideas.
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
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Lever
Show how simple machines can multiply force with the Lever. A teacher’s guide with
student worksheets is included, and the activities correlate with the content in section 8.7
of the CP text.
Pulleys
Another example of simple machines from section 8.7, the pulleys allow students to
experiment with various combinations of fixed and movable pulleys. Teacher’s Guide
included.
Software Recommendations
Simulation software is an excellent way to supplement students’ hands-on experiences in the lab. Two
titles are recommended for use in Conceptual Physics classes.
Interactive Physics
The standard in simulation software, IP lets students set parameters and design most
any mechanical simulation they can imagine.
Yenka Physics (Formerly Crocodile)
Specifically recommended as a substitute for the wave simulations from Good Stuff,
Yenka Physics also enables students to model electric circuits, mechanical situations,
and color/light experiments.
Other Enhancements
Some of the “Chapter Demos” lists will include class sets of lab equipment that can help you introduce a
lab where there wasn’t one before. We’ve taken care to only recommend the best equipment that
specifically addresses content from the Conceptual Physics textbook.
Light Box and Optical Set
Give students hands-on experience with ray optics (reflection, refraction) and color
addition and subtraction with this well-known set. Use the Light and Color Teacher’s
Guide for complete lab writeups, including reproducible student worksheets.
Options for Common Items
The Required Materials page recommends 6 sets each of Spring Scales and Hooked Masses. Some
labs call for individual scales or masses. To avoid unnecessary duplicates, the contents of these two sets
are listed below:
Spring Scales Set (01-6970): 250g, 500g, 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, and 5kg, also marked in N.
Hooked Mass Set (P1-1000): 10g, two 20g, 50g, 100g, two 200g, 500g, and 1000g.
Some labs call for a hot plate or Bunsen burner. For convenience in many classroom types, the
recommended materials include butane-fueled hot plates and burners. Electric hot plates and traditional
Bunsen burners are listed as options, but you must input the required quantities by hand. Other frequently
used products are also listed, such as meter sticks(P1-7072), stopwatches(52-3200), and safety
goggles(C5-1020).
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
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Complete descriptions of all of these items, or any other items from the “Chapter
Demos” lists, can be found at www.arborsci.com or by calling 800-367-6695 for
assistance.
Choosing Lab and Demo Materials
After you have completed your lab and demo choices, return to the lab materials
selection page at www.arborsci.com. Using the Lab Menu on the Lab Manual home
page follow these instructions to create your list.
Instructions:
Step 1. Download and print the Guiding_Worksheet and organize the labs and topics
your classes will cover during the section.
Step 2. After reviewing and making decisions using the Guiding Worksheet, select
each lab from the menu to make selections of needed equipment.
Step 3. Each Lab selection will have products for the lab, add them to your cart and
continue to the next lab selection.
Step 4. After completing your equipment selections or at any point during the
process you can click the "Shopping Cart" to see or edit equipment selections. You
can navigate between the Shopping Cart and the Lab Menu at any time and modify
quantities and remove duplications. You can also print a copy of the shopping cart for
reference.
Step 5. Simplify organizing your lab supplies when they arrive! Download the
spreadsheet providing you with a complete list of lab numbers, titles and items
associated with each lab
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
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Items Not Supplied:
This list shows items that appear on materials lists for labs in CP, but are not supplied by Arbor
Scientific. Most of the items are easily and inexpensively obtained at any grocery or discount
store. Others may be brought from home by you or your students. Quantities are based on the
needs of 100 students and 6 lab groups per class. For duplicated items, check individual labs to
find the total amounts needed.
Ch/Lab #
1.1
2.3
2.5
3.7
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
5.16
5.17
6.18
6.19
7.21
8.23
8.25
9.26
9.27
9.30
9.31
9.33
Lab Name
Required Items
Amassing a Penny’s
Worth
24-Hour Towing
Service
Weight of a Sign
Buckle Up!
Buckle Up!
Reaction Time
Merrily We Roll
Along!
Blind as a Bat
Blind as a Bat
Blind as a Bat
Blind as a Bat
Bring Home the
Bacon
What a Drag!
Impact Speed
Impact Speed
Item
Source
Store/School
Classroom
Store/School
Store/School
Classroom
Students/Classroom
Classroom
Pennies
120
Home/Classroom
Car
5/8 inch dowel
Small dolls
Wood Blocks
Dollar Bill
1
6
12
12
6
Teacher
Hardware Store
Home
Home
Home/Bank
Wood Block
Computer/Software
Masking Tape
Can of Soup
Board
6
6
6
6
6
Home/Hardware store
School
Grocery
Grocery
Hardware
6
18
6
6
Grocery
Grocery
Outside
Outside
6
6
6
6
6
Store / Home
Home
Hang small mass on string
Classroom/School
Students
Soup (solid contents)
Coffee Filters
Rock
Leaf or feather
Styrofoam plastic foam ball or Ping Pong
Impact Speed
ball
Bull's Eye
Empty soup can
Bull's Eye
Plumb line
Anatomy of a Homer Colored Pencils
Getting Pushy
Roller skates or skateboard
Constant Force and
Changing Mass
Masking Tape
Tension
Marking pen
Egg Toss
Raw Egg
Brick or heavy weight (or use recommended
Go Cart
C-clamps)
Making the Grade
Board for Inclined Plane
Muscle Up!
Bleachers and/or stairs
Muscle Up!
Weights
Wrap Your Energy in
a Bow
Toy Bow and Arrow (with suction cup tips)
How Hot Are Your
Wheels?
Toy Car
Friction Block (Wood block with sandpaper
Slip-Stick
on one surface)
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
Quantity
Masking Tape
Computer
Graph Paper
Large Paper Clips
Water, hot and cold
Paper
Paper Towels
9
6
6
6/class
Classroom
Classroom
Grocery
12
6
Home
Hardware Store
Classroom
Home/Gym
6
Toy Store
6
Toy Store/Students/Home
6
Hardware store
www.arborsci.com
11.37
11.40
12.41
Slip-Stick
Slip-Stick
Where's Your CG?
Where's Your CG?
Where's Your CG?
Keeping in Balance
Rotational Derby
Rotational Derby
Rotational Derby
13.43
13.44
17.47
17.48
18.50
19.51
19.51
19.52
19.53
21.54
21.55
21.57
22.59
22.60
23.61
23.62
23.63
23.64
23.65
Rotational Derby
Apparent
Weightlessness
Getting Eccentric
Flat as a Pancake
Extra Small
Geometric Physics
Geometric Physics
Eureka
Eureka
Eureka
Sink or Swim
Sink or Swim
Sink or Swim
Float a Big Stick
Heat Mixes: Part 1
Heat Mixes: Part 1
Heat Mixes: Part II
Antifreeze in the
Summer?
Cooling Off
Cooling Off
Cooling Off
Cooling Off
Solar Equality
Solar Equality
Solar Equality
Solar Equality
Solar Equality
Boiling Is a Cooling
Process
Boiling Is a Cooling
Process
Melting Away
Melting Away
Getting Steamed Up
LN is Cool Stuff
Work for Your Ice
Cream
Work for Your Ice
Cream
Work for Your Ice
Cream
Work for Your Ice
Cream
Work for Your Ice
Cream
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
Flat board
Shoe
Reaction board, 8' x 2" x 12"
Bricks
2 large triangular supports (1" angle iron)
Rock or unknown mass
Smooth, flat board, 1m long
Empty cans
Unopened cans, 3 different diameters,
"solid" contents (like chili)
Unopened soup cans, one liquid (chicken
broth) and one "solid" per group (cream of
mushroom)
6
6
6
12
12
6
6
18
Home/Hardware store
Home
Hardware
Home
Hardware Store
Outside
Home
Home / Students
18
Grocery
12
Grocery
Plastic or foam cups
Thumbtacks
Tray (pizza pan)
Tray (pizza pan)
Salt
Rock salt
Scrap iron
Lead shot
Bolts (or order additional PX-2124)
Clear container
Chunk of wood
Toy boat
Stick (square or cylinder)
Styrofoam cups
Pails for water
Styrofoam cups (large)
12
12
6
6
2 lb
2 lb
6
Grocery
Classroom
Store
Store
Grocery
Grocery
Auto shop
Flinn L0090, 250g
Hardware
Hardware
Home
Grocery / Home
Hardware
Grocery
Home/Hardware/Classroom
Grocery
Antifreeze mixture
Variety of containers
Styrofoam cups with covers
Crushed ice w/water
100W Light Bulb
Aluminum foil
Wood blocks
Glass jar with a hole in the metal lid
Glycerin
100W Light Bulb
6
6
6
6
100
2
100
1 gallon Hardware
Home
6
Grocery/GFS
School
6
Grocery
1 roll Grocery
12
Home/Hardware
6
Grocery
Flinn G0019, 100mL. (800452-1261)
6
Grocery
Crushed ice
Lunchroom
pan or tub
Styrofoam cups
Ice cube
Styrofoam cups, large
Foam Cups
Homemade ice cream machine, Rock Salt
type
6
6
100
18
24
1
Home
Grocery
Lunchroom
Grocery
Grocery
Home / Store
Ice
Grocery
Rock salt
Grocery
Insulated cups
100
1 per
class
Ice cream mix
10
Grocery
Grocery
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24.67
26.72
27.73
27.74
28.75
29.77
29.78
29.79
29.80
30.81
30.83
30.84
30.85
31.87
31.87
32.89
The Uncommon Cold
The Uncommon Cold
Mach One
Mach One
Shady Business
Shady Business
Shady Business
Shades
Flaming Out
Images
Pepper's Ghost
The Kaleidoscope
The Kaleidoscope
Funland
Camera Obscura
Lensless Lens
Lensless Lens
Air Lens
Bifocals
Rainbows Without
Rain
Rainbows Without
Rain
Rainbows Without
Rain
Rainbows Without
Rain
Static Cling
Static Cling
Static Cling
Static Cling
34.92 Brown Out
36.98 You’re Repulsive
38.100 Particular Waves
Particular Waves
39.103 Half-Life
Half-Life
40.104 Chain Reaction
40.105 Roll Out the Pi
© 2012 Arbor Scientific
Ice bucket or container
Ice
Rubber band
Alka-Seltzer
Book or other opaque object
Screen or wall
200W Frosted Light Bulb
100W Light Bulb
100W Light Bulb
Transparent tape
Matches or lighter
Transparent tape
Viewing object (any small object)
Cardboard (~12” square)
Shoe box
3" x 5" card
Straight pin
Screen
Cardboard (~12” square)
Soap-bubble solution
6
6
100
6
1
6
6
6
6 rolls
6
6 rolls
6
6
30
30
30
1
6
Grocery
Lunchroom
Classroom
Grocery
Classroom
Classroom
Grocery
Grocery
Grocery
Classroom
Teacher
Classroom
Students/Classroom
School
Teacher/Students
Grocery
Grocery
Classroom
School
6 bottles Grocery
Oil (motor oil or other)
Hardware/Grocery
Wire frame (any wire or coat hanger, bent)
6
Home
Cookie sheet
Foam rubber
Syrofoam peanuts - packing material
Coin
Empty soup or soda can
6
6
6
6
6
CASTLE Kit
Old Apple II or Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
Steel wool
200W Frosted Light Bulb
Shoe box and lid
200 or more pennies
Large table or floor space
4-6” Dowels
6
1
6
6
6
6
Teacher
Home
Home/Students
Teacher / Students
Teacher / Students
Pasco EM-8624A or EM8654. (800-772-8700)
11
6
Grocery
Grocery
Teacher / Students
Teacher / Students
Classroom
Hardware
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