physics resources

Forces and motion

Space cadet
Space cadet Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Get to grips with Newton's laws by navigating a rocket around obstacles in deep-space. After playing this game you'll have an intuitive grasp of how forces affect the motion of an object. You need to remember that things move a little differently out in deep space (there's no gravity and no friction to get in the way).

Case studies in Newton's laws: The horse and cart
Case studies in Newton's laws: The horse and cart Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

In this case study we analyse the forces acting on bodies moving with a constant velocity.

Space shepherd
Space shepherd Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

In this super game you must identify balanced and unbalanced forces and work out the resultant force. Examine the forces acting on your sheep in order to position a velcro wall. Get it right and your woolly beast is saved. Get it wrong and your hapless sheep will drift off into space!

Moments: Princess on rollerskates
Moments: Princess on rollerskates Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

In this game you must use your knowledge of moments to balance the seesaw and save the princess. What terrible fate will befall her if you fail?

Pulleys
Pulleys Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

View the details of a series of pulley systems providing different levels of mechanical advantage. A great resource for introducing pupils to the concepts of work and conservation of energy.

Gravity: a cartoon introduction
Gravity: a cartoon introduction Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Gravity explained through the medium of a cartoon animation.

Terminal velocity
Terminal velocity Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A cartoon introduction to terminal velocity. Observe the forces acting on Tango when his friend, Blue, drops him from a hot air balloon.

Types of forces: bounce quiz
Types of forces: bounce quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A quick-fire quiz to test your knowledge of the different types of force.

The displacement-time graph game
The displacement-time graph game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Believe it or not, we've managed to turn learning about displacement-time graphs into a game (and a great game it is too!). This software is also a great teaching aid when describing the relationship between real-world motion and its graphical representation.

Motion graphs: displacement, velocity and acceleration
Motion graphs: displacement, velocity and acceleration Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A motion simulator that helps pupils understand the relationship between real-world motion and how it is represented using displacement-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs.

The equations of motion: solver
The equations of motion: solver Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

There are four equations of motion that can be used to solve problems whenever an object moves in a straight line with a constant acceleration. This equation solver will show you how to use these equations by taking you through a simple five step process.

Stopping distances
Stopping distances Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Are your reactions fast enough to stop in time when granny jumps into the road? Find out how thinking and stopping distances are affected when you drive at different speeds. Change the car mass, brakes and tyres and discover what difference that makes. You can even decide to be sleepy or drunk!

Safe driving: Venn diagram
Safe driving: Venn diagram Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Work out which factors affect thinking distance and stopping distance with this Venn diagram activity.

Elastic and inelastic collisions
Elastic and inelastic collisions Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A delightful animation depicting an example of a totally inelastic collision, a partially inelastic collision and a perfectly elastic collision.

The ultimate reaction test
The ultimate reaction test Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

An addictive reaction test with loads of uses for practical work. This is a good one to use in conjunction with the stopping distances resource. I guarantee the kids will love it.

Representing vectors
Representing vectors Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This gentle introduction to vectors helps your pupils understand what a vector is and how to represent them. The resource contains a set of tasks that can be undertaken at the interactive whiteboard.

Vectors and scalars
Vectors and scalars Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A suite of resources that help pupils learn how to identify scalar and vector quantities. Pupils are given a physical quantity and its definition which they must categorise as a scalar or vector. This resource also contains a word-gap (or cloze) exercise.

Vector addition
Vector addition Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This powerful application allows the teacher to illustrate vector addition in several ways. The addition can be graphically visualised using free vectors, a common origin configuration, the parallelogram construct or vector chains. The addition can also be analysed numerically by a consideration of the horizontal and vertical components.

Vector chains
Vector chains Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This simple resource visually illustrates how the sum of several vectors can be found by arranging them as a chain.

Introducing circular motion
Introducing circular motion Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A visual aid to help teachers introduce circular motion and explore how the centripetal force and acceleration depend on the mass, radius and angular velocity.

Energy (transfer and resources)

Energy conversions and efficiency
Energy conversions and efficiency Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore the energy conversions that take place in different devices and calculate their efficiency.

Energy transfer: bounce quiz
Energy transfer: bounce quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This quiz tests knowledge about the different forms of energy and how they are converted from one form to another. (worksheet)

Conduction of heat in solids
Conduction of heat in solids Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This simulation is useful for showing the mechanism of heat transfer and the relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of the atoms. Draggable probes allow you to take the temperature at any point along the bar and the torch has several flame settings.

Relative conductivities of metal rods
Relative conductivities of metal rods Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Not all materials conduct heat at the same rate. This simulation replicates the classic demonstration where pins are fixed to copper, aluminium and cast iron rods by blobs of wax: as the wax melts the pins fall. Note: this resource is no substitute for actually doing the experiment yourself in the lab!

Convection currents
Convection currents Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Two lovely animations to show convection currents in a room and a refrigerator.

Pendulum: Energy stores and transfers
Pendulum: Energy stores and transfers Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore how energy is stored and transferred in a simple pendulum with this wonderful resource from PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder. Click here for a quick start video instructions.

Mass on a spring: Energy stores and transfers
Mass on a spring: Energy stores and transfers Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore how energy is stored and transferred with this super simulation of a mass on a spring from PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder. Click here for a quick start video instructions.

The power station
The power station Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This animated power station illustrates how electricity is generated from nuclear energy and fossil fuels.

Pros & cons of nuclear power
Pros & cons of nuclear power Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A super whole-class activity where students discuss and debate the pros and cons surrounding nuclear power in order to rank the issues according to their importance and score them on their impact.

Paint a pie chart : world energy usage
Paint a pie chart : world energy usage Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Learn how to interpret pie charts with this interactive resource.

Waves and optics

The electromagnetic spectrum: visual database
The electromagnetic spectrum: visual database Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Learn all about the electromagnetic spectrum with this detailed visual database. This resource allows you to explore each of the regions in isolation (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma) or see how properties such as energy, wavelength and atmospheric absorption vary across the entire spectrum.

Moonlander: electromagnetic spectrum game
Moonlander: electromagnetic spectrum game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Use your knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum and inter-planetary flight to land your spaceship on the moon pads in the correct order.

The electromagnetic spectrum : bounce quiz
The electromagnetic spectrum : bounce quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A high energy quiz that requires coordination as well as knowledge. Ideal for the interactive whiteboard. This resource also includes a printable worksheet and a separate activity to help the teacher with marking. (worksheet)

Describing waves
Describing waves Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Learn to describe waves in terms of their amplitude, frequency and wavelength. This resource also allows you to explore the relationship between frequency and wavelength and how these are affected when the wave passes through different mediums and the wave speed changes.

Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

See what transverse and longitudinal waves really are and discover how they displace the medium through which they are travelling. This interactive resource allows you to vary the amplitude, wavelength and frequency and explore the relationships between them.

Interference
Interference Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This resource allows you to explore the interference patterns produced by two point sources.

Standing waves
Standing waves Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This application allows you to explore how stationary waves can be produced as a result of the interference of a progressive wave with its own reflection. Simply the best way to show your pupils what transverse and longitudinal waves really are.

Venn diagram: light and sound waves
Venn diagram: light and sound waves Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A Venn diagram activity to test your knowledge of the differences and similarities between light and sound waves.

Doppler shift simulation: sub-sonic and super-sonic flight
Doppler shift simulation: sub-sonic and super-sonic flight Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore the Doppler Effect by observing sound waves emitted by a high-speed jet aircraft. Fly the plane through the sound barrier to see the formation of the sonic cone.

Doppler-shifting sounds
Doppler-shifting sounds Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Watch an ambulance drive past and hear the change in tone of the sirens, or see a jet plane scream past. Alternatively you can browse through our library of Doppler-shifted sounds (planes, trains and automobiles).

Interactive ear diagram
Interactive ear diagram Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

You have full control over the image ... colour it in and add or remove labels and arrows at the touch of a button. Simply click on individual labels and arrows to toggle them on or off (in this way the diagram can be simplified to suit any age group).

Colour
Colour Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Mix coloured light or paint pigments with this simulation that allows you to explore the additive (RGB) or subtractive (CMY) colour models.

Reflection in a plane mirror
Reflection in a plane mirror Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

An interactive model that allows the teacher to demonstrate that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection (also contains some student notes).

Reflection balloon blast game
Reflection balloon blast game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Students use their knowledge of reflection to position a balloon so that a laser beam reflected off a mirror will destroy it.

Virtual images and reflection
Virtual images and reflection Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A lovely, interactive model to show how a virtual image is created with a plane mirror.

Refraction
Refraction Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Use this open-ended tool to explore what happens to a ray of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Dispersion of light
Dispersion of light Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore how light is dispersed when it is refracted by prisms with this super resource from PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder. Be sure to use the white light beam to see the full spectrum of colours.

The Earth and beyond

Planets of the solar system
Planets of the solar system Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore beautiful 3D models of the planets and brush up on all the stats and facts with this stunning WebGL interactive resource.

Relative size of planets and stars
Relative size of planets and stars Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This evocative video creates a sense of awe and wonder as it presents the relative sizes of known stars and planets in our universe. These stunning visuals were produced by Martin Sup. View in full screen for the best experience.

Naming the planets
Naming the planets Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This lovely labelling exercise will make sure you know the names of all the planets in our solar system.

Ordering the planets
Ordering the planets Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Use this labelling exercise to help ensure you know the order of the planets in our solar system.

The planets: e-trumps
The planets: e-trumps Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

What better way to learn the facts and figures surrounding the planets than with this digital version of a classic game?

The planets: Higher or lower game
The planets: Higher or lower game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This classic game will help you learn and remember the vital statistics of the planets.

Moonlander: solar system game
Moonlander: solar system game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Use your knowledge of the planets of the solar system to land your spaceship on the moon pads in the correct order.

The life cycle of a star
The life cycle of a star Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Explore stellar evolution firsthand! Piece together the star life cycle puzzle in this interactive drag-and-swap activity.

3D interactive Moon globe
3D interactive Moon globe Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This stunning resource uses WebGL technology to create an interactive 3D view of the Moon.

Phases of the moon
Phases of the moon Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A stunning 3D simulation to help students understand the phases of the Moon in relation to the motion of the Moon around the Earth and position of the Sun. (Requires a webGL enabled browser)

Space cadet
Space cadet Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Get to grips with Newton's laws by navigating a rocket around obstacles in deep-space. After playing this game you'll have an intuitive grasp of how forces affect the motion of an object. You need to remember that things move a little differently out in deep space (there's no gravity and no friction to get in the way).

Doppler shift of light
Doppler shift of light Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

By observing the light waves emitted by a high-speed spaceship students learn about the Doppler effect and red and blue shift.

Red shift
Red shift Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Follow in the footsteps of scientists by observing the hydrogen spectra from distant galaxies. What can you deduce about the motion of the galaxies?

The age of the universe
The age of the universe Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

If you know the expansion rate of the universe, you can run things backwards to estimate the age of the universe. This application does just that!

3D interactive Earth globes
3D interactive Earth globes Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This stunning resource uses WebGL technology to create 15 different visualisations of Earth. Geographic, demographic and economic views include tectonic boundaries, climate zones, average temperature and precipitation, political maps, GDP per capita, population density, energy consumption, GINI index, fertility rate and population growth.

Electricity and magnetism

Circuit builder
Circuit builder Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Build, test and explore electric circuits. So intuitive it can be mastered by the youngest pupil. Powerful enough to challenge the most advanced students. Perfect for classroom teaching and setting problems.

Electric current: learn and assess quiz
Electric current: learn and assess quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

In this activity you must use the fact that current is conserved in an electric circuit to determine the readings of all the ammeters.

Matching pairs game: electricity symbols
Matching pairs game: electricity symbols Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Play this game to ensure you can remember the essential circuit symbols. New update: now contains an additional two player challenge!

Resistors in parallel: bathtub analogy
Resistors in parallel: bathtub analogy Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Students sometimes struggle with the fact that when you add resistors in parallel the total resistance decreases. This suite of animations provides a useful analogy to help them see why this is the case.

How a RCD saves lives
How a RCD saves lives Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A Residual Current Device (RCD, sometimes called a Residual Current Circuit Breaker - RCCB) is a component that breaks the circuit if the current on the live and neutral wires are not equal. This resource contains two great animations that demonstrate why a RCD is a real life-saver.

How a fuse saves lives
How a fuse saves lives Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Stupid Steve is back! A fuse is an electrical component that breaks the circuit if the current exceeds a safe level. Watch this story of Stupid Steve to find out how a fuse protects you and your home.

Electricity bills
Electricity bills Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Find out how much electrical energy is used by home appliances and find out how much they cost to run. (worksheet)

The three-pin plug
The three-pin plug Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A labelling activity and a worksheet to help teach your pupils how to wire a three-pin plug. (worksheet)

The power station
The power station Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This animated power station illustrates how electricity is generated from nuclear energy and fossil fuels.

The transformer
The transformer Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Investigate how a transformer works with this interactive resource. (worksheet)

Matching pairs game: electronic symbols
Matching pairs game: electronic symbols Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Logic gates and electronic components are covered in this revision activity (new update: now contains an additional two player challenge!).

Magnetic field line plotter
Magnetic field line plotter Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

An interactive resource in which you must use a plotting compass to discover and draw the magnetic field lines for different arrangements of bar magnets. Don't worry, if you want an easy life the computer will draw the field lines for you.

The magnetic field of a bar magnet
The magnetic field of a bar magnet Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Illustrate the magnetic field surrounding a bar magnet with this interactive resource. Drag compasses around the screen to view the field direction at any point. You can decide whether to display iron filings or field lines or both. What more do you want?

Fleming's Left Hand 'motor' rule
Fleming's Left Hand 'motor' rule Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Master Fleming's left hand rule by using our interactive 3D hand to solve problems involving current-carrying wires in magnetic fields.

Matter, atoms and molecules

The kinetic model

States of matter
States of matter Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A simulation that illustrates the particle model of solids, liquids and gases. You can also observe how one state changes into another through evaporation, condensation, melting and freezing.

Venn diagram: States of matter
Venn diagram: States of matter Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A Venn diagram activity to test your knowledge of the different states of matter.

Temperature, pressure and absolute zero
Temperature, pressure and absolute zero Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Discover how the kinetic model of a gas explains the relationship between temperature and pressure and how this leads to the concept of an absolute minimum temperature.

The Kelvin scale
The Kelvin scale Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Converting between the Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales.

Kinetic theory: quiz
Kinetic theory: quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A fast paced quiz to test your knowledge of the kinetic theory, states of matter, absolute zero and the Kelvin scale.

Diffusion
Diffusion Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This diffusion simulation shows how some large particles dissolve and eventually spread out due to collisions between themselves and the surrounding smaller particles.

Brownian motion
Brownian motion Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This simulation shows the random movement of large smoke particles as they are being bombarded by the fast moving molecules that make up the surrounding air.

Atomic structure

Build your own atom
Build your own atom Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A whole-class resource for teaching atomic structure and electron configuration. Pupils are presented with a mass number and atomic number and must then construct the atom. This resource is also ideal for exploring ions as well as ground states and excited states.

Atomic structure: bounce quiz
Atomic structure: bounce quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A high energy quiz that requires coordination as well as knowledge. Ideal for the interactive whiteboard. This resource also includes a printable worksheet and a separate activity to help the teacher with marking. (worksheet)

Electronic structure quiz
Electronic structure quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Learn how the electrons are arranged in the different energy levels or shells of an atom with this quiz game.

Electronic structure: visual database
Electronic structure: visual database Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A visual tool to help your students explore how the electrons are arranged in atoms of the first 20 elements of the periodic table.

Periodic table game
Periodic table game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

The classic game but with a twist: now you have to guide falling elements into the correct place in the periodic table. Play this as often as you can and you'll soon know which group and period the different elements belong in.

Molecules and bonding

Identifying elements, compounds and mixtures: bucket sort
Identifying elements, compounds and mixtures: bucket sort Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A sorting game in which different substances fall from the sky. Your job is to direct them into the correct buckets.

Elements, compounds and mixtures
Elements, compounds and mixtures Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A visual database explaining the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures.

Covalent and ionic bonding
Covalent and ionic bonding Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

An outstanding resource. Explore what happens when atoms bond. The visual tool beautifully illustrates covalent and ionic bonding in a wide range of substances. (worksheet)

Metallic bonding
Metallic bonding Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

An overview of metallic bonding and structure.

Properties of metals
Properties of metals Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This resource illustrates how properties such as malleability, ductility, conductivity and melting point are explained by the atomic structure of metals.

Materials

Material properties
Material properties Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Many words are used to describe material properties. This quiz will help you learn what they all mean.

Nuclear physics

Penetration of radiation
Penetration of radiation Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A simple visual aid to show how far the different forms of radiation will travel through different materials.

Types of radiation: summary table
Types of radiation: summary table Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Alpha, beta and gamma radiation: a tabular summary of all the properties and characteristics of the three types of radiation.

Nuclear equations
Nuclear equations Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

In this super activity you must solve nuclear equations for alpha and beta decay. After a few rounds of this game you'll be able to solve these problems in your sleep.

Radioactive decay and half-life
Radioactive decay and half-life Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A feature-rich application to investigate the decay of short-lived radioactive materials and determine their half-lives. The simulation outputs tabular or graphical data in real-time that the pupils analyse to calculate the half-life. This resource includes complementary worksheets.

Radioactive decay quiz
Radioactive decay quiz Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A quiz to test your knowledge of the different types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma) and their characteristics.

Nuclear fission
Nuclear fission Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A clear animation and some slides describing the fission process.

The power station
The power station Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

This animated power station illustrates how electricity is generated from nuclear energy and fossil fuels.

Video: Why nuclear energy is terrible
Video: Why nuclear energy is terrible Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A video courtesy of kurzgesagt.org presenting the arguments against nuclear energy.

Video: Why nuclear energy is awesome
Video: Why nuclear energy is awesome Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A video courtesy of kurzgesagt.org presenting the arguments for nuclear energy.

Pros & cons of nuclear power
Pros & cons of nuclear power Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A super whole-class activity where students discuss and debate the pros and cons surrounding nuclear power in order to rank the issues according to their importance and score them on their impact.

General resources

Prefix values: chicken coop game
Prefix values: chicken coop game Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Can't tell the difference between a Mega and a milli? Freak out at the sight of Giga, micro or nano? Fear not for this game is here to sort you out. Play it to learn the values and symbols for all the unit prefixes you're likely to encounter in school.

Hazard symbols - New GHS pictograms
Hazard symbols - New GHS pictograms Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Make sure you're up to speed with the new hazard symbols with this visual database and memory game

Hazard symbols - Old CHIP symbols
Hazard symbols - Old CHIP symbols Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Find out about the hazard symbols with this visual database (great for project work). This resource also contains a memory game to test how much the class knows about the hazard symbols.

Timer
Timer Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A new improved timer that now includes a countdown timer as well as a standard timer. Some of the alarm sounds are not for those of sensitive disposition. The time is given in Hours, minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second. Handy for timed tests, exams and activities.

Class minder
Class minder Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

A digital assistant that keeps an eye on your class on those rare occasions when you have to pop out.

DR ABC - emergency response
DR ABC - emergency response Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Would you know what to do in an emergency? Use this informative resource to make sure you do!

Square breathing
Square breathing Tablet enabled - iPad | Android | more...

Feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed? Take yourself to a place of peace and calm in only five minutes with this tried-and-tested technique.

Class scoreboard
Class scoreboard

Track and display scores for classroom quizzes and games with our handy tool. Choose from fun themes like 'Alien Abduction', 'In Your Face', and 'Snail Race'. Perfect for adding a competitive edge to your lessons.