Tutorial
The Physics Classroom was created to support effective science instruction through clear, engaging lessons developed by experienced educators. Each course integrates visuals, animations, simulations, audio, and video to promote deep conceptual understanding. These lessons are written for high school students at a high school reading level. They are meant to be phun, easy to understand, and interactive.
Physics Chapters
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Chapter 1: Fundamentals
Fundamentals often spread across scientific subjects. Below are fundamental topics that apply to Physics
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Units and Measurements
1 Lessons 3 Parts
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Measurements and Calculations
2 Lessons 6 Parts
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Chapter 2: 1D Kinematics
6 Lessons 26 Parts
The motion of objects in one-dimension are described using words, diagrams, numbers, graphs, and equations.
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Chapter 3: Newton's Laws
4 Lessons 16 Parts
Newton's three laws of motion are explained and their application to the analysis of the motion of objects in one dimension is discussed.
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Chapter 4: Vectors and Projectiles
2 Lessons 15 Parts
Vector principles and operations are introduced and combined with kinematic principles and Newton's laws to describe, explain and analyze the motion of objects in two dimensions. Applications include riverboat problems, projectiles, inclined planes, and static equilibrium.
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Chapter 5: Forces in 2D
5 Lessons 6 Parts
Forces are vectors and as such, any operation that can be performed on vectors can be performed on force vectors. The addition of vectors is one such operation. The method of adding vectors graphically and analytically is discussed in the context of force vectors.
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Chapter 6: Momentum, Collisions and Explosions
3 Lessons 12 Parts
The impulse-momentum change theorem and the law of conservation of momentum are introduced, explained and applied to the analysis of explosions and the collisions of objects.
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Chapter 7: Work and Energy
2 Lessons 11 Parts
Concepts of work, kinetic energy and potential energy are discussed; these concepts are combined with the work-energy theorem to provide a convenient means of analyzing an object or system of objects moving between an initial and final state.
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Chapter 8: Circular and Satellite Motion
4 Lessons 18 Parts
Newton's laws of motion and kinematic principles are applied to describe and explain the motion of objects moving in circles; specific applications are made to roller coasters and athletics. Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation is then presented and utilized to explain the circular and elliptical motion of planets and satellites.
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Chapter 9: Rotation and Balance
4 Lessons 17 Parts
Rotating and non-rotating objects are analyzed by applying rotational motion concepts, Newton's Laws, energy, and angular momentum.
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Chapter 10: Fluids
3 Lessons 13 Parts
Characteristics of fluids, fluid pressure, and principles that describe fluids in motion are explored both conceptually and mathematically.
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Chapter 11: Thermal Physics
2 Lessons 9 Parts
The distinction between heat and temperature is thoroughly explained. Methods of heat transfer are explained. The mathematics associated with temperature changes and phase changes is discussed; its application to the science of calorimetry is presented.
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Chapter 12: Static Electricity
4 Lessons 18 Parts
Basic principles of electrostatics are introduced in order to explain how objects become charged and to describe the effect of those charges on other objects in the neighboring surroundings. Charging methods, electric field lines and the importance of lightning rods on homes are among the topics discussed in this unit.
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Chapter 13: Electric Circuits
4 Lessons 17 Parts
The flow of charge through electric circuits is discussed in detail. The variables which cause and hinder the rate of charge flow are explained and the mathematical application of electrical principles to series, parallel and combination circuits is presented.
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Chapter 14: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism
4 Lessons 12 Parts
Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism explores the basic concepts which govern magnetic fields, magnetic forces, and the interrelation between electricity and magnetism. This chapter covers a variety of topics that highlight how electric currents create magnetic fields, providing insight into a wide range of phenomena and technologies.
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Chapter 15: Electromagnetic Induction
3 Lessons 9 Parts
Electromagnetic induction explores how changing magnetic fields can produce electric currents. This chapter introduces the key ideas behind Faraday’s and Lenz’s Laws and explains how they form the basis of generators, transformers, and many everyday technologies. Through clear examples and visual explanations, students discover how magnetism and electricity are intertwined.
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Chapter 16: Vibrations and Waves
5 Lessons 21 Parts
The nature, properties and behaviors of waves are discussed and illustrated; the unique nature of a standing wave is introduced and explained.
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Chapter 17: Sound Waves
5 Lessons 19 Parts
The nature of sound as a longitudinal, mechanical pressure wave is explained and the properties of sound are discussed. Wave principles of resonance and standing waves are applied in an effort to analyze the physics of musical instruments.
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Chapter 18: Light Waves and Colors
3 Lessons 15 Parts
The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed; polarization, color, diffraction and interference are introduced as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light. Color perception is discussed in detail.
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Chapter 19: Reflection and Mirrors
4 Lessons 21 Parts
The ray nature of light is used to explain how light reflects off of planar and curved surfaces to produce both real and virtual images; the nature of the images produced by plane mirrors, concave mirrors, and convex mirrors is thoroughly illustrated.
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Chapter 20: Refraction and Lenses
6 Lessons 29 Parts
The ray nature of light is used to explain how light refracts at planar and curved surfaces; Snell's law and refraction principles are used to explain a variety of real-world phenomena; refraction principles are combined with ray diagrams to explain why lenses produce images of objects.
Chemistry Chapters
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Chapter 1: Fundamentals
Fundamentals often spread across scientific subjects. Below are fundamental topics that apply to Chemistry
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Units and Measurements
1 Lessons 3 Parts
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Measurements and Calculations
2 Lessons 6 Parts
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Chemistry Lab
1 Lessons 3 Parts
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Chapter 2: Matter
4 Lessons 8 Parts
Chemistry is the study of matter - its properties, how we classify and characterize it, and how it changes. This chapter investigates the manner in which chemists describe matter and how one sample of matter can be distinguished from another sample of matter. The Periodic Table of Elements is introduced.
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Chapter 3: Elements, Atoms, and Ions
3 Lessons 9 Parts
The search for the atom began a couple millennia ago. This chapter chronicles a portion of that story from ancient times up to our understanding of a nuclear model of the atom. The chapter discusses the work of Mendeleev and others in developing a periodic table. An emphasis is placed on understanding how the elements can be understood in terms of their subatomic particles. This chapter ends with a discussion of ions and the use of the periodic table in predicting ion charge.
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Chapter 4: Compounds, Names, and Formulas
3 Lessons 8 Parts
With as many as a million compounds in existence, keeping track of their names and the formulae by which we refer to them would be an impossible task. But learning a few rules for referring to these compounds by name and by formula might be the most efficient means of managing all the details. This chapter will acquaint you with chemical nomenclature and formula writing.
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Chapter 5: Modern Atomic Model
4 Lessons 15 Parts
The 20th century was filled with accomplishments in scientific understanding. One of the greatest accomplishments was the development of the quantum mechanical model. Chapter 5 traces the discoveries that led to the model and describes the relationship between the electronic structure of atoms and the properties of elements.
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Chapter 6: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Shape
3 Lessons 12 Parts
The outer shell electrons of the atoms of elements affect how they bind together to form compounds. This chapter compares ionic and covalent bonding and relates the nature of the bond to the configuration of electrons around atoms. Lewis electron dot structures and the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory are used to show the arrangement of electrons in molecules and the geometric shape such molecules assume.
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Chapter 7: Mole
2 Lessons 8 Parts
Atoms have a specific mass value that varies from element to element. Knowing the mass values of elements allows one to determine the amount of atoms or molecules in a sample. In Chapter 7, we introduce the concept of the mole and demonstrate its usefulness in relating mass to the number of particles and analyzing the composition of molecules.
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Chapter 8: Chemical Reactions
2 Lessons 8 Parts
Chemical reactions are at the heart of Chemistry. Reactions involve the change of one or more substances into one or more other substances. In Chapter 8, we discuss the details of chemical reactions. The emphasis is on predicting the products of a reaction and writing balanced chemical equations to represent the changes that occur.
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Chapter 9: Stoichiometry
3 Lessons 11 Parts
The coefficients of a balanced chemical equation reveal information about the relative number of particles of reactants and products involved in a reaction. Chapter 9 explores how to use this information to determine the relative mass of reactants and products involved in a reaction.
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Chapter 10: Gases and Gas Laws
4 Lessons 16 Parts
A sample of matter in the gaseous state has very predictable patterns of behavior. Changes in a quantity such as the pressure, temperature, or amount of gas affect the volume of the sample in a manner that is predictable and largely independent of the identity of the gas. In Chapter 10, we will discuss these behaviors and learn why they exist and how they can be used.
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Chapter 11: Solids, Liquids, and Intermolecular Forces
3 Lessons 10 Parts
Solids and liquids are the condensed states of matter. Unlike the gaseous state, the intermolecular forces between particles have significant strength, affecting the properties and behaviors of these states. In Chapter 11, we will learn about the influence of intermolecular forces on samples of solids and liquids.
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Chapter 12: Thermochemistry
2 Lessons 10 Parts
Chemical reactions involve the change of one or more substances into one or more other substances. But reactions also involve changes in energy. By careful measurement, these energy changes can be determined. In Chapter 12, we learn the relationship between chemical reactions and the energy changes that accompany them.
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Chapter 13: Solutions
3 Lessons 12 Parts
A solution is an intermingled mixture of two or more substances. Our many daily encounters with Chemistry - the air we breathe, the water from the tap, some of the food we eat, and many products that we buy - are encounters with solutions. In Chapter 13, we will learn what a solution is, how it is formed, and how we can describe them quantitatively.
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Chapter 14: Kinetics and Equilibrium
3 Lessons 12 Parts
The rate at which a reaction occurs and the extent to which it occurs are two important ideas in Chemistry. Some reactions occur rapidly while others crawl. Some reactions continue until the reactants are used up while others show appearances of stopping before they are used up. In Chapter 14, we will learn how chemists use concepts of kinetics and equilibrium to understand and to control the rate and the extent of a reaction.
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Chapter 15: Acids and Bases
5 Lessons 12 Parts
Acids and bases are two of the more important classes of substances in Chemistry. In Chapter 15, we will learn what acids and bases are, their effect upon aqueous solutions, and the manner in which they react. The distinctions between strong and weak acids and bases will be described. And we will learn how titrations can be used to determine the concentrations of acidic and basic solutions.
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Chapter 16: Solution Equilibrium
2 Lessons 9 Parts
The dissolving of slightly soluble salts (sometimes referred to as insoluble salts) and the dissociation of weak acids and weak bases are equilibrium systems. In Chapter 16, we will learn how to use equilibrium principles, equilibrium constants, and ICE tables to analyze these two aqueous systems and determine ion concentrations.
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Chapter 17: Thermodynamics
3 Lessons 9 Parts
Chemical reactions don’t just happen—they happen for a reason. Thermodynamics helps us understand why some processes occur naturally and others require a sustained push. Chapter 17 will dive into the details of enthalpy, entropy, and free energy to explain why change - both chemical and physical - occurs.
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Chapter 18: Electrochemistry
3 Lessons 9 Parts
Electrochemistry explores how chemical reactions produce electricity and how electricity drives chemical change. Chapter 18 will investigate the role of oxidation and reduction in chemical reactions and examine galvanic and electrolytic cells.
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Chapter 19: Nuclear Chemistry and Radiation
4 Lessons 11 Parts
Nuclear Chemistry delves into the structure and behavior of atomic nuclei and explains how changes inside the nucleus can transform one element into another. The chapter introduces key concepts like radioactive decay, half-life, and nuclear transmutation, while showing how these phenomena underpin technologies such as nuclear power and radioactive dating.
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Chemistry Reference Tables and Other Information
Handy information for the Chemistry student and teacher, all screen reader accessible!