Intro-Physics Topics

Below is a list of the Intro-Physics topics covered by our tutorial library.
View the Intro-Physics Inventory to see a list of all of our Intro-Physics tutorials, all in one place.

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• Mathematical Basics and Background

  • Symbols and Vocabulary

    • Definitions

• Vectors

  • Understanding Vectors

    • Definition

  • Vector Addition and Subtraction

    • Parallel Vectors
    • Opposite Vectors
    • Adding and Subtracting Vectors
    • Examples with More than Two Vectors

  • Vector Components

    • Visualize Vector Components
    • Combining Vector Components

• Motion Problems With Constant Velocity

  • Distance and Displacement

    • Definitions
    • Problems

  • Speed and Velocity

    • Basic Definitions and Skills
    • Instantaneous vs Average Definitions
    • Constant vs Changing Velocity Definitions

  • The Distance Equals Speed Times Time Equation

    • Definitions and Strategies
    • Solving For Distance
    • Solving For Time
    • Solving For Speed

  • Problems With Average Speed and Velocity

    • Examples with Round-Trips
    • Examples without Round-Trips

  • Two Part Trips and Collisions

    • Example Problems

• Motion Problems With Acceleration

  • Understanding Acceleration

    • Definitions and Concepts

  • Working With Equations

    • Equation Missing Displacement
    • Equation Missing Final Velocity
    • Equations where Final or Initial Velocity is Equal to Zero

  • Algebraic Problems

    • Picking Equations
    • Solving for Time
    • Solve for Acceleration
    • Solve for Displacement
    • Solve for Final Velocity
    • Solve for Initial Velocity

• Motion Problems with Gravity and Free Fall

  • Understanding Gravitational Acceleration

    • Definitions

  • Problems

    • Solve for Displacement of a Falling or Rising Object
    • Solve for Time of a Falling or Rising Object
    • Solve for Initial Velocity of a Falling or Rising Object

• Forces and Equilibrium

  • Understanding Forces and Equilibrium

    • Definitions

  • Problems

    • Balanced Forces

• Newton's 2nd Law

  • Concepts and Skills

    • Definitions and Concepts
    • Working the Formula

  • Problems

    • Solving For Mass
    • Solving For Acceleration

• Action And Reaction Forces

  • Understanding Newton's 3rd Law

    • Definitions

  • Find Force Acting on An Object Using the 3rd Law

    • Conceptual Examples Like Walking, Running, Swimming, and Flying

• Momentum and Impulse

  • Understanding Momentum

    • Definitions

  • Understanding Impulse

    • Definitions

• Work and Energy

  • Understanding Work

    • Definitions

  • Basic Work Problems

    • Example Problems

  • Defining Mechanical, Kinetic, and Potential Energy

    • Balancing Total Mechanical Energy

  • Basic Kinetic Energy Problems

    • Finding Kinetic Energy Examples
    • Finding Speed from Kinetic Energy Examples

  • Connecting Work and Kinetic Energy

    • Example Problems

  • Basic Gravitational Potential Energy Problems

    • Example Problems

  • Power

    • Example Problems