Physics in Motion

Hands-on simulations for Physics in Daily Life. Pick one, then drag, slide and press Start to see the physics happen. Each page has a Home button back to this list, and Previous / Next buttons to the next chapter.

Chapter 2Kinematics in One Dimension

1D Kinematics (constant acceleration)Drag the cart or type v₀, a; watch the x–t and v–t graphs.✓→ Free Fall MotionDrop, throw up or throw down; read height and velocity live.✓→ Multi-Stage 1D KinematicsSet up to three stages of motion and compare the graphs.✓→

Chapter 3Addition of Forces

Addition of Forces: Vector Triangle and ComponentsDrag two force arrows and find the resultant by triangle or components.✓→ Balanced Forces and EquilibriumBalance three forces on a ring and see when they sum to zero.✓→ Newton's Second Law with FrictionPush a block against friction and watch F = ma play out.✓→ Newton's Third Law: Action and ReactionPush two blocks together; see the equal, opposite reaction force.✓→

Chapter 4Moment of a Force

Moment of a Force and the Principle of Moments (Seesaw)Move two or three children on a seesaw to balance the moments.✓→ Centre of Gravity, Stability and EquilibriumTilt a box and let go — see if it falls back or topples.✓→

Chapter 5Work, Energy and Power

Work Done and the Work-Energy RelationshipPull a block with a force; watch the work bars match its change in KE.✓→ Power and Efficiency of a Lifting MachineLift a load with a machine; read off power in and useful power out.✓→ Conservation of Energy: A Swinging PendulumSwing a pendulum; watch GPE, KE and heat trade off.✓→

Chapter 6Static Electricity

Coulomb's Law and Electric Field LinesDrag two charges and see the force and field lines change.✓→ Charging by Friction, Contact and InductionRub, touch or earth a sphere and watch the charge move.✓→

Chapter 7Current Electricity

Ohm's Law and the Resistivity of a WireChange the wire or voltage and plot V against I.✓→ Series and Parallel CircuitsWire bulbs in series or parallel; read off current and brightness.✓→ Electrical Power, Energy and the Cost of ElectricitySwitch appliances on and see the cost add up at $0.27/kWh.✓→

Chapter 8Magnetism

Magnetic Poles, Field Lines and Induced MagnetismMove two magnets together and trace the field lines between them.✓→ Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying WireReverse the current or swap the poles; watch the force on the wire.✓→ The Simple DC MotorSwitch on a coil between two poles and step through a full turn.✓→

Chapter 9Waves

Transverse and Longitudinal WavesShake the end of a rope or spring and watch the wave move.✓→

Chapter 10Reflection and Refraction of Light

The Law of ReflectionAim a torch at a mirror and check the angles match.✓→ Refraction, Snell's Law and Total Internal ReflectionChange the angle of a light ray and watch it bend — or reflect totally.✓→

23 simulations · works on laptops, tablets and phones