Physics: 106 interactive topics
Forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, light and space explained through motion and experiments.
About Physics at secondary level
Physics on LearnViz SecondaryEdu has 106 interactive topics. Physics topics explain how things move, push, heat up and carry energy, so each one here pairs a definition with a live model you can change.
Every topic has a clear definition, key points written for secondary school, an animation you can control, and a three-question quiz. Topics are independent, so you can start anywhere.
How to study Physics with LearnViz
- Start with a topic you already know a little about, then move to one that is new to you.
- Use the animation before you read the key points. Predicting the result first makes the explanation easier to remember.
- Finish each quiz, then review the questions you got wrong. Mark a topic complete once you can explain it in your own words.
- Write the rule in your own words, then test it with two different numbers.
106 topics
1Physical Quantities and UnitsA physical quantity is a property that can be measured, and each is…2Scalars and VectorsA scalar has only size, while a vector has both size and direction.3Measuring Length and TimeLength is measured with rulers, vernier calipers or micrometers,…4Accuracy and UncertaintyAccuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value, and…5DensityDensity is the mass of a substance per unit volume, showing how…6Distance and DisplacementDistance is the total length of a path travelled, while…7Speed and VelocitySpeed is how fast an object moves, and velocity is its speed in a…8AccelerationAcceleration is the rate at which velocity changes with time.9Equations of MotionThe equations of motion link displacement, velocity, acceleration…10Free Fall and GravityFree fall is motion under gravity alone, where all objects…11Projectile MotionA projectile moves through the air under gravity, with constant…12Newton's First LawNewton's first law states that an object stays at rest or moves at…13Newton's Second LawNewton's second law states that the resultant force on an object…14Newton's Third LawNewton's third law states that when one object exerts a force on…15Mass and WeightMass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is the…16FrictionFriction is a contact force that opposes the relative motion of two…17Air Resistance and Terminal VelocityAir resistance is a drag force that grows with speed, and terminal…18Resultant ForcesThe resultant force is the single force that has the same effect as…19Moments and LeversThe moment of a force is its turning effect about a pivot, equal to…20Centre of Mass and StabilityThe centre of mass is the point where an object's weight appears to…21Hooke's Law and SpringsHooke's law states that the extension of a spring is proportional…22PressurePressure is the force acting per unit area, so the same force on a…23Pressure in LiquidsPressure in a liquid increases with depth and density because of…24Atmospheric PressureAtmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the…25Upthrust and FloatingUpthrust is the upward force a fluid exerts on an object in it,…26Work DoneWork is done when a force moves an object, and it equals the force…27Kinetic EnergyKinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion,…28Gravitational Potential EnergyGravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object…29Conservation of EnergyEnergy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one…30Energy EfficiencyEfficiency is the fraction of input energy that becomes useful…31PowerPower is the rate of doing work or transferring energy, measured in…32Energy ResourcesEnergy resources are sources like fossil fuels, wind, solar, hydro…33Simple MachinesSimple machines such as levers, pulleys, ramps and gears make work…34MomentumMomentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity,…35Conservation of MomentumIn a closed system the total momentum before a collision equals the…36Impulse and CollisionsImpulse is the change in momentum caused by a force acting over…37Circular MotionAn object moving in a circle at constant speed is always…38GravitationGravity is the force of attraction between all masses, which holds…39Kinetic Theory of MatterThe kinetic theory explains the properties of solids, liquids and…40States of Matter and ChangesMatter changes between solid, liquid and gas when heat energy…41Temperature and HeatTemperature measures how hot something is, while heat is the energy…42Specific Heat CapacitySpecific heat capacity is the energy needed to raise the…43Latent HeatLatent heat is the energy absorbed or released during a change of…44Thermal ConductionConduction is the transfer of heat through a material as vibrating…45ConvectionConvection is heat transfer in fluids where warmer, less dense…46Thermal RadiationThermal radiation is heat transferred as infrared waves, which can…47Gas LawsGas laws describe how the pressure, volume and temperature of a gas…48Thermal ExpansionThermal expansion is the increase in size of a material when it is…49Waves: Basic PropertiesA wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from place to place…50The Wave EquationThe wave equation links wave speed, frequency and wavelength, so…51Transverse and Longitudinal WavesIn transverse waves the vibrations are at right angles to the…52Reflection of WavesReflection is when a wave bounces off a surface, with the angle of…53Refraction of WavesRefraction is the change in direction of a wave as it passes from…54DiffractionDiffraction is the spreading out of waves as they pass through a…55InterferenceInterference happens when two waves meet and combine, producing a…56Sound WavesSound is a longitudinal wave produced by vibrations that travels…57Pitch, Loudness and EchoesPitch depends on the frequency of a sound, loudness depends on its…58Ultrasound and SonarUltrasound is sound with a frequency above human hearing, used in…59Light and ReflectionLight travels in straight lines and reflects from surfaces, forming…60Refraction of LightLight refraction is the bending of light at the boundary between…61Total Internal ReflectionTotal internal reflection occurs when light hits a boundary inside…62LensesA lens is a curved piece of transparent material that refracts…63The Human Eye and VisionThe eye focuses light onto the retina using the cornea and lens,…64Dispersion and ColourDispersion splits white light into the colours of the spectrum…65Electromagnetic SpectrumThe electromagnetic spectrum is the family of transverse waves that…66Uses and Dangers of RadiationElectromagnetic waves are useful for communication and medicine,…67Static ElectricityStatic electricity is the build-up of electric charge on an object,…68Electric CurrentElectric current is the rate of flow of electric charge around a…69Potential Difference and EMFPotential difference is the energy transferred per unit charge…70Resistance and Ohm's LawResistance is how much a component opposes the flow of current, and…71Series and Parallel CircuitsIn a series circuit components are in one loop sharing the same…72Electrical Power and EnergyElectrical power is the rate at which a device transfers energy,…73Components: Resistors, LDRs and ThermistorsSpecial components change their resistance with conditions, such as…74Mains Electricity and SafetyMains electricity is alternating current supplied to homes, and…75Magnets and Magnetic FieldsA magnet attracts magnetic materials, and its magnetic field is the…76ElectromagnetsAn electromagnet is a coil of wire that becomes a magnet when a…77The Motor EffectThe motor effect is the force on a current-carrying wire in a…78Electromagnetic InductionElectromagnetic induction is the generation of a voltage in a…79Generators and DynamosA generator spins a coil in a magnetic field to induce an…80TransformersA transformer changes the voltage of an alternating current using…81The National GridThe National Grid transmits electricity from power stations to…82Atomic StructureAn atom has a tiny dense nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded…83IsotopesIsotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of…84Radioactive DecayRadioactive decay is when an unstable nucleus releases radiation to…85Half-LifeHalf-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a…86Nuclear Fission and FusionFission splits a heavy nucleus into smaller parts, while fusion…87Radiation SafetyRadiation safety reduces exposure to ionising radiation using…88The Solar SystemThe Solar System is the Sun and everything that orbits it,…89Orbits and SatellitesA satellite is an object that orbits a larger body, balancing its…90The Life Cycle of StarsStars form in nebulae, burn hydrogen for most of their lives, and…91The Universe and the Big BangThe Big Bang theory says the universe began about 13.8 billion…92Simple Harmonic Motion and PendulumsSimple harmonic motion is a repeating back-and-forth movement, such…93Waves on the Move: Doppler EffectThe Doppler effect is the change in observed frequency when a wave…94Rotational Motion and TorqueTorque is the turning force that causes rotation, calculated as…95Elasticity and MaterialsMaterials respond to stress differently, being stiff, brittle,…96Fluids in MotionMoving fluids obey principles such as Bernoulli's, where…97Capacitors and Charge StorageA capacitor is a component that stores electric charge on two…98Electronics and Logic GatesLogic gates are electronic switches that make decisions from binary…99Semiconductors and DiodesSemiconductors conduct electricity better than insulators but worse…100Alternating and Direct CurrentDirect current flows one way, while alternating current repeatedly…101Satellites and CommunicationSatellites relay signals between distant places on Earth by…102Renewable Energy: Solar and WindSolar panels convert sunlight into electricity, and wind turbines…103Hydroelectric, Geothermal and Tidal PowerHydroelectric, geothermal and tidal power use the energy of falling…104Scientific Investigation SkillsA scientific investigation tests a prediction through a fair test,…105Graphs in PhysicsPhysics graphs show relationships between variables, and the…106Physics in Everyday LifePhysics explains everyday events, from why a kettle heats water to…
Physics: frequently asked questions
How many topics are in Physics?
Physics has 106 interactive topics on this site. Each one has its own page, so you can study them in any order.
Is Physics free to use?
Yes. Every topic, animation and quiz can be used in your browser without creating an account. Your progress is saved only on your own device.
Who is the Physics content for?
It is written for secondary school students studying Physics, and for teachers or parents who want a clear visual explanation. It supports your syllabus and your teacher rather than replacing them.
How do I move between topics?
Each topic page has Previous and Next links, a list of related topics, and a search box in the header. You can also filter the list on this page to find a topic by name.