Lead your class in this exciting activity to learn more about motion and its importance. Pupils learn about a centripetal and why it is required to maintain a constant speed in a circulating moving mass. They apply the equation for...

Has your class wondered how fast a human could run or how high they are capable of jumping? Help them understand these concepts as they explore acceleration and use an accelerometer to make semiquantitative measurements of acceleration...

Here's a resource ideal for independent learners who need extra reinforcement or would like to work ahead. These textbook chapters and practice problems cover many basic physics concepts, starting with potential and kinetic energy and...

Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...

What is mu? Emerging scientists explore the coefficient of sliding friction, or mu, and apply its concepts as they complete activities in the interesting lesson. They measure the sliding friction between soles of their own athletic shoes...

This study guide on motion covers some key vocabulary and terms to describe motion: displacement vs. distance, acceleration, speed vs. velocity, and instantaneous vs. average. It includes graphs showing distance vs. time, velocity vs....

Kids learn about speed and velocity in the science of physics and the laws of motion including units and measurement. What is the difference between speed and velocity?

This study guide on circular motion covers key terms, centripetal force, linear vs. circular motion, precession, and equations. Includes four example problems with detailed solutions. The guide is available for download with free...

A very detailed article on the characteristics of waves and wave behavior. It discusses the influence waves have on the marine environment and the global climate, the physics of wave motion, the interactions between waves and wind, wave...

An animation depicting the path of projectiles launched at various launch speeds from the fictional Newton's Mountain. Accompanying text discusses satellite motion and the requirements of orbital motion. Links to further information is...

Two wave graphs depicting a sine wave and relating the various characteristics (wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and period) of a wave to each other. The site includes an interactive JavaScript form in which the visitor enters one...

An exhaustive set of "lecture notes" on various topics in thermal physics (including thermal expansion). Explanations are well done and more interesting than most. Includes both a mathematical and conceptual treatment of topics. Humor,...

Learn about motion and how it is defined by a reference point.

This brief overview distinguishes speed and velocity. Vectors are explained along with acceleration and gravitation. Diagrams are used to help explain these concepts.

This is a summary of the main topics for AP Physics Chapter 2 Kinematics. These include Displacement; Vectors, Scalars, and Coordinate Systems; Time, Velocity, and Speed; Acceleration; Motion Equations for Constant Acceleration in One...

Explains what is meant by kinetic energy and demonstrates how to use the formulas for a point mass moving at less than the speed of light, for rotational motion, and for a mass moving at a relativistic speed. Includes interactive...

Kinetic energy is defined and explained--learning exercises are included to assess your understanding.

A description of the wings and compound eyes of insects and its components; also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of having compound eyes.