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...

What is speed? What is velocity? Illustrated discussion of speed and velocity including how they are measured.

This animated tutorial illustrates distance and displacement to define speed and velocity.

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?

Using an interesting and intriguing format, this page discusses the question of "How does one measure the speed of light." Explanation focuses on Galileo's and Roemer's efforts to obtain a reasonable value. Also discusses Heinrich...

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....

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

Explains what an anemometer is used for and the different models that have been developed since it was first invented.

The necessity of gravitation to a circular orbit is discussed and equations for the orbital speed are derived from the law of universal gravitation. Binary systems in which two objects orbit about a center of mass are explained and...

A lengthy biographical sketch from The New Advent of Jean-Bertand-Leon Foucault (1819-1868 CE) physicist and mechanician. Discusses his upbringing, scientific work, major accomplishments and published articles. Please note that "The...

A little background and a great Java applet that allows you to see the distribution of particles by their velocity.

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...

The derivation of the Boltzmann distribution in detail. Shows calculations and graphs, with links to animations and video to further explain.

Gain an understanding of average velocity and speed with this helpful reference tool. Provides a detailed definition and examples that enhance further explanation. Includes links to related topics.

Online physics text that illustrates and explains the various characteristics of waves such as amplitude, period, frequency, wavelength, and speed. Includes interactive exercises.

A good mathematical account of what happens to time as you approach c: the speed of light. Also provides a rather a fascinating video (fly through the Lattice) - don't miss it. Take some time and explore this site.

This site examines the black hole as an object in astrophysics. Delve into this comprehensive resource that covers this concept from its history, to qualitative physics, the reality of black holes, mathematical physics and more.

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

Takes the Boltzmann distribution mathematics and explains it. Not a simple site, but does provide nice historical links in addition to high-level explanation of the distribution.

An activity in which average speed is calculated for a ball sliding along an inclined plane. This speed is compared to various instantaneous speeds along the incline.

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...

Dr. Math answers a word problem involving the use of vectors.