Physics Learning Lab
Welcome to Your Physics Learning Lab!
This is your interactive, "hand-holding" resource designed to help you review, practice, and master core physics concepts.
We've translated a standard physics roadmap into an interactive experience. This widget is fully responsive and designed to work on both desktop and mobile. You'll find:
- Interactive Tables: Click buttons to see properties of different common forces.
- Dynamic Charts: Visualize how Ohm's Law (V=IR) works in real-time.
- Working Practice Terminals: Test your knowledge in each section with hands-on questions and get instant feedback.
- Tricky Stuff: A special section dedicated to common stumbling blocks, like Thermodynamics, explained with clear examples.
Use the menu to navigate between topics. Let's get started!
1. Kinematics (Motion)
This is the bedrock. Kinematics is the study of *how* things move, using variables like displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
What is Kinematics?
Kinematics describes motion *without* considering the forces that cause it. We just care about *where* something is and *how fast* it's moving.
- Scalar: A quantity with magnitude (size) only. (e.g., 50 mph)
- Vector: A quantity with magnitude AND direction. (e.g., 50 mph *East*)
- Distance (scalar): "How far you walked." (e.g., 10 miles)
- Displacement (vector): "How far you are from your start." (e.g., 2 miles North)
Key Variables (d, v, a)
These three concepts build on each other:
- Displacement (
d): Change in position. (Units:m) - Velocity (
v): The rate of change of displacement. "How fast position changes." (Units:m/s) - Acceleration (
a): The rate of change of velocity. "How fast velocity changes." (Units:m/s²)
The Kinematic Equations
These are the "big four" equations you'll use to solve almost any kinematics problem (assuming constant acceleration).
# "v_f" = final velocity # "v_i" = initial velocity # "a" = acceleration # "d" = displacement # "t" = time 1. v_f = v_i + a*t 2. d = v_i*t + (1/2)*a*t² 3. v_f² = v_i² + 2*a*d 4. d = ( (v_i + v_f) / 2 ) * t
Practice Time
Q1: A car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph. What concept describes its *rate of change* of velocity?
> Terminal ready. Awaiting answer...
2. Newton's Laws (Forces)
Forces are the "why" behind motion. Newton's three laws are the foundation of all classical mechanics.
- First Law (Inertia): An object in motion stays in motion, and an object at rest stays at rest, unless acted on by a net external force.
- Second Law (
F=ma): The acceleration (a) of an object is directly proportional to the net Force (F) applied and inversely proportional to its mass (m). - Third Law (Action-Reaction): For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Click the buttons to see a cheat sheet of common forces you'll encounter:
| Force | Formula | Description |
|---|
Practice Time
Q1: What is the famous, 3-variable formula for Newton's Second Law?
> Terminal ready. Awaiting answer...
3. Work & Energy
Energy is the "currency" of the universe; it can be stored and spent. Work is the act of transferring energy by applying a force over a distance.
Work (W)
In physics, "work" *only* happens if the force causes displacement.
# Work = Force × displacement W = F * d # If the force is at an angle (θ) # to the motion, use: W = F * d * cos(θ) # Holding a 50lb weight still? # d = 0, so W = 0. # No work is done! (Tell that to # your sore muscles)
Types of Mechanical Energy
# Kinetic Energy (KE) # The energy of *motion*. # KE = (1/2) * m * v² # m = mass # v = velocity
# Potential Energy (PE) # *Stored* energy due to position. # PE = m * g * h # m = mass # g = 9.8 m/s² (gravity) # h = height
Practice Time
Q1: What is the formula for Kinetic Energy (energy of motion)?
> Terminal ready. Awaiting answer...
4. Waves & Sound
Waves are disturbances that transfer energy. The two most important equations relate velocity, frequency, wavelength, and period.
Wave Equations
These two equations are simple but powerful.
# 1. The Wave Speed Equation v = f * λ # v = velocity # f = frequency (how many waves/sec) # λ = wavelength (length of one wave) # 2. Frequency & Period T = 1 / f # T = Period (how many sec/wave)
Wave Properties
Crest / \ Amplitude
/ \ |
--------/-----\---(midpoint)
/ \ |
/ \
Trough \ /
[---Wavelength (λ)---]
- Amplitude: Max displacement from midpoint. (Loudness of sound)
- Wavelength (λ): Length of one full cycle (crest-to-crest).
- Frequency (f): How many cycles pass a point per second. (Pitch of sound)
Practice Time
Q1: In the equation v = f * λ, what does f stand for?
> Terminal ready. Awaiting answer...
5. Electricity & Magnetism
For simple circuits, the most important relationship is Ohm's Law. It connects Voltage (the "push"), Current (the "flow"), and Resistance (the "pinch").
V = I * R
Practice Time
Q1: What is the 3-variable formula for Ohm's Law?
> Terminal ready. Awaiting answer...
6. Tricky Stuff: Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the study of heat, work, and energy. Its "laws" are some of the most fundamental and important in all of science.
The Zeroth Law (The "Obvious" One)
"The Transitive Property of Heat"
This law just states that if two things are in thermal equilibrium with a third thing, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
# If a thermometer (A) says a cup # of water (B) is 20°C... # # ...and the same thermometer (A) # says a block of wood (C) is 20°C... # # ...then the water (B) and the # wood (C) are in equilibrium. # # (It's so basic, it was named # *after* the other laws!)
The First Law (Conservation of Energy)
This is one of the most important laws in the universe: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or changed in form.
The Equation
# Change in Internal Energy = # Heat added (Q) - Work done *by* system (W) # ΔU = Q - W
This is just an accountant's ledger for energy. The change in your bank account (ΔU) is the money you deposit (Q) minus the money you spend (W).
The Second Law (The "Arrow of Time")
This law has many forms, but they all relate to Entropy (a measure of disorder).
The Process
# Version 1: # The total entropy (disorder) # of the universe always increases. # (Things naturally get messier) # Version 2: # Heat will *always* flow # spontaneously from a hot object # to a cold object. # (Never the other way around)
This law is why a broken egg never reassembles itself and why your hot coffee gets cold. It's the "arrow of time."
Practice Time
Q1: The law stating "Energy cannot be created or destroyed" is which law of thermodynamics? (e.g. "First", "Second", etc.)
> Terminal ready. Awaiting answer...