Physics Classroom
All Work and No Play Lab
Don't let the term, "slotted wood board" detract you from the value of this experiment. Class members tie a string to a cart and, with even horizontal force, drag it up an inclined plane. The objective is to compare the work done with...
Physics Classroom
From a Feather to an Elephant
It is always a rush to drop objects from great heights, and with this physics experiment, class members will not be disappointed! They drop a single coffee filter from a balcony or table top, record the time it takes to reach the ground,...
Physics Classroom
Action-Reaction Lab
Computer-interfaced motion detectors are required to carry out this inquiry. It is a new twist on exploring motion with plunger carts: they are set back-to-back and then propelled away from each other. Their velocities are measured, and...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Vectors Motion and Forces in Two Dimensions
Three complete tutorials on vectors and two dimension forces and motion. Lessons include informational text, interactive activities, animations, and quick, interactive comprehension checks along the way.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Elephant and Feather: Air Resistance
The concept of air resistance is discussed in terms of why a heavier object falls faster than a lighter object when both dropped from the same height. In this discussion and animation, an elephant and feather are used as examples.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Projectile Motion
Scroll down to Lesson 2 for a complete tutorial on projectile motion. Content covered in these tutorials includes an explanation of what a projectile is, what the characteristics of a projectile's trajectory are, horizontal and vertical...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Motion and Forces in Two Dimensions: Vector Addition
An extensive discussion of vector addition with links to interactives and exercises.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Work Energy Theorem
This page explores the quantitative relationship between work and mechanical energy in situations in which there are no external forces doing work. It is a basic analysis of situations in which mechanical energy is conserved. Examples...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Lesson 3: Concave Mirrors
Lesson 3 of this tutorial on refraction is on concave mirrors. Content that is covered includes the anatomy of curved mirrors, reflection of light and image formation, ray diagrams, image characteristics for concave mirrors, plus more.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Anatomy of the Eye
This tutorial looks at the anatomy of the eye and how the sense of sight works. This is the first part of a learning module. Subsequent sections cover how images are formed and detected, the concept of accommodation where the eye adjusts...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Wavelike Behaviors of Light
How light waves demonstrate their wave nature by reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Vector Components
An excellent lesson on vectors and their components, with multiple illustrated examples.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Human Ear
Informative article on the human ear. Describes the parts and function of the ear. Explains how the ear functions when listening to music.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Apple, the Moon, and the Inverse Square Law
Describes the logic behind the development of Newton's law of universal gravitation. Beginning with Johannes Kepler and his three laws of planetary motion, content walks the reader through Newton's thought process and development of this...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Formation of Standing Waves
How are standing wave formations formed? Why are they only formed when the medium is vibrated at specific frequencies? What makes these so-called frequencies so special and magical? These questions are answered in this exploration of...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Nodes and Antinodes
In this thorough lesson, nodes and antinodes are explained and compared to crests and troughs. A "Check Your Understanding," set of questions is included at the end of the lesson with answers.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Kinematic Equations & Problem Solving
This excellent high school physics tutorial from The Physics Classroom investigates motion formulas using several problem-solving strategies including diagrams, equations, and lists.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color
The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed. Also, polarization, color, diffraction, and interference are introduced and discussed thoroughly as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Physics Classroom Homepage
For anyone who needs extra reinforcement with physics or simply loves and can't get enough physics practice check out the vast learning opportunities tucked inside "The Physics Classroom." Tutoring, multimedia, Mind on Physics,...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Image Formation by Lenses
This lesson explains what lenses are, the different between a converging and diverging lens, the difference between a double convex and double concave lens, and gives definitions for terms related to lenses.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Determining the Net Force
Online classroom site explaining the concept of balanced and unbalanced forces. The site has examples and exercises for the student to review and try.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Static Electricity: Electric Force: Coulomb's Law
This informative tutorial on Coulomb's Law and electric force in physics features a definition as well as formulas, diagrams, and learning exercises.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Nature of a Wave
A very good introduction to the world of waves. Waves and wavelike motion, what is a wave, and categories of waves are the topics examined in this site. Many links to other wave sites.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Behavior of Waves
Boundary behavior, incident pulse, reflected pulse,and transmitted pulse are explained in this thorough tutorial. Animation and drawings are used to clarify the concepts.