The field notes

There’s a reason for that.

Go from “I saw it happen” to “I know why” with twelve connected explanations.

Start with movement

From a moving dot to an energy exchange.

  1. Read the motion graphs
  2. Find the net force
  3. Follow the energy

Find the pattern

Connect repeated motion to waves.

  1. Swing a pendulum
  2. Stretch a spring
  3. Catch a traveling wave

Explore the invisible

Follow current through wires and light through lenses.

  1. Connect voltage and current
  2. Compare circuit paths
  3. See a ray change direction

Physics concepts, one idea at a time

Motion

Projectile motion

Projectile motion separates into constant horizontal velocity and vertical acceleration.

Launch an ideaField note
Motion

Position, velocity & acceleration

Velocity is the rate of change of position, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

Read the motionField note
Forces & energy

Force & friction

Static friction adjusts to oppose a push, up to μsN.

Give it a pushField note
Forces & energy

Energy on a ramp

Gravity transfers energy from potential to kinetic form as height decreases.

Trade height for speedField note
Waves

Pendulum explorer

For small angles, the restoring force gives approximately simple harmonic motion.

Find your rhythmField note
Waves

Spring oscillator

The spring force points toward equilibrium and grows with displacement.

Stretch. Release. Repeat.Field note
Waves

Traveling wave explorer

A wave carries a disturbance.

Catch a waveField note
Electricity

Ohm’s law & power

Voltage provides an electrical potential difference.

Make the connectionField note
Electricity

Series & parallel resistors

Series components share a current, and their voltage drops add to the supply.

Two paths, two storiesField note
Optics

Refraction & total internal reflection

Light changes direction when it crosses between media with different refractive indices at oblique incidence.

Bend a little lightField note
Optics

Converging lens explorer

The thin-lens equation relates focal length to object and image distance.

Bring it into focusField note
Forces & energy

Buoyancy & floating

A fluid exerts an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of displaced fluid.

Sink or swim?Field note