Skip to Main Content

Principal Sponsors

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The Hewlett Logo

Makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time.
The NSF LogoNational Science Foundation

An independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science.

Excellence Center of Science and Mathematics Education at King Saud University LogoExcellence Center of Science and Mathematics Education at King Saud University

King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.

Other Sponsors Logo

Friction

Learn how friction causes a material to heat up and melt. Rub two objects together and they heat up. When one reaches the melting temperature, particles break free as the material melts away.

 
See changelog
Version 2.02
181 KB
share sim: Icon for Digg StumbleUpon Toolbar
Topics Teaching Ideas Software Requirements Translated Versions Credits

Topics

Main Topics

  • Friction
  • Thermo
  • Heat

Related Topics

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 particle mass and temperature affect 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.

Go to Top Image

Teaching Ideas

Tips for Teachers

There is no teacher's guide for this simulation.

Ideas and Activities for this Sim

There are 6 contributions listed.

Ascending Sort (Z-A)Title Author Level Type Updated
Concept Questions for Chemistry using PhET Designed by PhET IconT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		CQs8/09
Friction G. SwansonHSLab5/07
Friction demonstration Designed by PhET IconT. LoebleinUG-Intro
UG-Adv
HS		Demo7/09
Gases Understanding physical properties of gases (Inquiry Based) Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		Lab
CQs
HW		7/09
Kinetic Molecular theory review Designed by PhET IconT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		Demo
CQs		2/09
Modeling Friction (Inquiry Based) Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinHSDemo11/08

Submit Your Ideas & Activities

Note: The maximum file size is 64M, with a maximum upload of 64M at a time.

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

title*
file(s)
grade level(s)*
Check the PhET design guidelines (PDF)

Go to Top Image

Software Requirements

Flash Icon

Windows Systems Macintosh Systems Linux Systems
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Macromedia Flash 8 or later
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or later, or Firefox 2 or later
 OS 10.4.11 or later
Macromedia Flash 8 or later
Safari 2 or later, or Firefox 2 or later
 Macromedia Flash 8 or later
Firefox 2 or later

Go to Top Image

Translated Versions

Run localized Download
Arabic Arabic Download
Chinese Taiwan Chinese, Taiwan Download
Croatian Croatian Download
Dutch Dutch Download
Estonian Estonian Download
French French Download
Greek Greek Download
Khmer Khmer Download
Korean Korean Download
Polish Polish Download
Serbian Serbian Download
Slovak Slovak Download
Turkish Turkish Download
Vietnamese Vietnamese Download

Go to Top Image

Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Michael Dubson (developer/lead)
  • Carl Wieman
  • Interviewer: Wendy Adams
  • Interviewer: Mindy Gratny
  • Interviewer: Danielle Harlow
Login / Register