This lesson should help a learner understand what a reference frame is and why it is used. It is 1 of 3 in the series titled "Introduction to Reference Frames."

This lesson provides the learner with example problems on inertial and noninertial reference frames.

Instructions that take you through an Einstein-like thought experiment by having you imagine and record what you see when stationary and when moving at the speed of light.

Newton's three laws are deceptively simple, but they are the underpinning of all of physics and govern the mechanics all of your actions in everyday life. Take an in-depth look at these laws in this learning module.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following: Define position, displacement, distance, and distance traveled in a particular frame of reference; Explain the relationship between position and displacement; Distinguish...

Students are given a general overview of nanotechnology principles and applications, as well as nanomaterials engineering. Beginning with an introductory presentation, they learn about the nano-scale concept and a framework for the...

This hands-on exercise allows students to view and calculate the various factors involved in one-dimensional motion. Students will use remote control vehicles to illustrate the linear motion. Students will use the information gathered...

What would happen if you played with a yo-yo in a moving elevator? This simulated exercise lets users observe what happens from two perspectives, one being the person playing with the toy and the other being on the outside of a glass...

Description of a museum exhibit in which the forces exerted by two gyroscope wheels are analyzed. Excellent demonstration idea.

Description of a museum exhibit in which the spinning bicycle wheel induces the rotation of a student in a rotating chair. Excellent demonstration idea.

What words begin with an r-blend? Group each picture card into the correct category according to its initial consonant blend. After they complete the list, have kids write words into each box in the worksheets. Fun and educational for...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Understand how to analyze one dimensional motion by applying mathematic equations, distance, and displacement.

This lesson introduces the concept of an inertial reference frame.

United States Naval Observatory is a unique observatory run by the Navy. It does some of the grunt work of astronomy -- keeping accurate time, determining positions of stars (astrometry), etc. They are responsible for publishing the...

Fear of Physics uses animations and simple language to teach the theory of relativity.

Students are introduced to the nano-size length scale as they make measurements and calculate unit conversions. They measure common objects and convert their units to nanometers, giving them a simple reference frame for understanding the...

In this interactive tutorial students explore special relativity and quantum mechanics. Learn basic tenets of the theory of special relativity and the relationship between mass and energy. Also discover the evidence for the particle...

This lesson introduces the learner to coordinate axes and explains how they can be used with reference frames. It is 3 of 3 in the series titled "Coordinate Axes & Reference Frames."

A comprehensive, yet sophisticated explanation of long run costs of production. Includes charts and graphs to illustrate key points and concepts. Somewhat advanced in places.

Personal site in which a teacher outlines a unit on motion. Probes through topics such as average speed, velocity, acceleration, speed, deceleration, force and more.

A simulation of the Doppler Effect, where a change in wave frequency can be observed from the reference frame of the wave source, an observer, or the medium.

This site provides a very readable treatment of a really difficult subject. You still have to work hard at it, but this article can make relativity understandable.

To make sense of this, you have to first see the Twin Paradox: Introduction, which is the special relativity version and is linked to this page. This general relativity explanation views the paradox from a gravitational point of view.

Wikipedia's site on centripetal force provides a section explaining the difference between centripetal force and centrifugal force. Includes formulas and hyperlinked terms.