Physics
Welcome to the physics area! Here you'll discover the laws of physics through exciting examples and experiments.
Mechanics
Learn how objects move and what forces act on them.
Newton's Laws:
- An object remains at rest or moves at constant velocity when no force acts on it.
- The acceleration of an object is proportional to the force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.
- For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Optics
Discover how light works and how we can see with it.
Refraction of Light:
When light passes from one medium to another (e.g. from air to water), it changes direction.
Electricity
Learn how electric current works and how we can use it.
Simple Circuit:
In a circuit, electrons flow from the negative to the positive terminal of the battery, making the lamp light up.
Energy
Discover different forms of energy and how they can be converted into each other.
Forms of Energy:
- Kinetic Energy: A rolling ball
- Potential Energy: A lifted stone
- Thermal Energy: Hot water
- Electrical Energy: Current in a conductor
- Light Energy: Sunlight
Simple Experiments to Try
Static Electricity
Materials needed:
- Balloon
- Your hair or a wool sweater
- Small pieces of paper
How to do it:
- Rub the balloon on your hair or the wool sweater.
- Hold the balloon over the pieces of paper.
- Observe how the balloon attracts the pieces of paper.
Explanation: Rubbing transfers electrons from the hair to the balloon. The balloon becomes negatively charged and attracts the positively charged pieces of paper.
Floating and Sinking
Materials needed:
- Bowl of water
- Various small objects (coin, cork, stone, piece of wood, etc.)
How to do it:
- Fill the bowl with water.
- Place the objects one by one in the water.
- Observe which ones float and which ones sink.
Explanation: Whether an object floats or sinks depends on its density. Objects with lower density than water float, while those with higher density sink.