Physics

One-dimensional motion

In this tutorial we begin to explore ideas of velocity and acceleration. We do exciting things like throw things off of cliffs (far safer on paper than in real life) and see how high a ball will fly in the air.

Two-dimensional motion

You understand velocity and acceleration well in one-dimension. Now we can explore scenarios that are even more fun. With a little bit of trigonometry (you might want to review your basic trig, especially what sin and cos are), we can think about whether a baseball can clear the "green monster" at Fenway Park.

Forces and Newton's Laws of Motion

This tutorial is the meat of much of classical physics. We think about what a force is and how Newton changed the world's (and possibly your) view of how reality works.

Work and energy

Work and energy. Potential energy. Kinetic energy. Mechanical advantage. Springs and Hooke's law.

Impacts and linear momentum

Linear momentum. Conservation of momentum. Elastic collisions.

Moments, torque and angular momentum

Thinking about making things rotate. Center of mass, torque, moments and angular velocity.

Gravitation

Classical gravity. How masses attract each other (according to Newton).

Oscillatory motion

Pendulums. Slinkies. You when you have to use the bathroom but it is occupied. These all go back and forth over and over and over again. This tutorial explores this type of motion.