Physics Interactives

See how the tools of physics help solve problems!

How do to forces on a parachute jumper change during the flight?

Can you match the forces on the jumper with their net force and their resulting motion?

Gear systems can convert an input speed into a faster or slower output speed.

Can you see how the ratio of cogs allows you to predict the effect on rpms?

When you change speeds on a bike, the gear ratios change. To make it easier to pedal, you bike will end up going slower.

When you multiply your input speed, you must also multiply your input effort, since you can't make energy input.

Apollo 11 was drifting fast across the surface of the moon, but managed to land safely.

Can you adjust the forces on the lander to do the same?

If you were to track the motion of a rocket in flight, by laying down markers of its location, what would you see?

Can you use that knowledge to safely dock this rocket?

When a boat sets out to cross a river, vector addition is a useful tool.

Can you safely reach the dock on the other side?

When an object slides down a hill, we know the force of gravity is involved, and friction may also play a role.

But what is the force that mokes it go on a slant? Learn about the "normal force" in this interactive.

When a helicopter takes off from the ground, there must be a net force to change its upward speed.

Can you safely land the helicopter?

A curved wall can keep a ball in a circular path. But what happens when the wall is removed?

What is the "natural" motion of objects?

When two teams are equally matched, the net force on the rope is zero.

What happens when there are three teams, and three ropes? Can they be balanced?

Sorry! Closed for renovation!

When a force or velocity is at an angle, it can help to look at them as having two parts, or "components".

Can you see how trigonometry functions help in physics problems?