A step-by-step guide to exploring motion, matter, and the forces that shape our universe

Let’s talk about the science of how things work

Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern the universe. It’s the reason why apples fall, why planes fly, and why your phone knows where you are. From the tiniest particles to the largest galaxies, physics helps us understand how things move, interact, and change.

Learning physics isn’t just about equations, it’s about asking questions like:

• Why do objects fall at the same rate?
• How does electricity power our homes?
• What keeps planets in orbit?

This guide helps you explore physics with clarity, confidence, and curiosity.

Start with Motion and Forces

Motion is the foundation of classical physics.

☑ Key concepts:

• Speed: How fast something moves
• Velocity: Speed with direction
• Acceleration: How velocity changes over time
• Force: A push or pull that causes motion
• Newton’s Laws: Three rules that describe how objects move and interact

✍ One example of motion I’ve noticed is ____________________________
and it involves ____________________________.

Explore Energy and Work

Energy makes things happen, and it comes in many forms.

☑ Types of energy:

• Kinetic: Energy of motion
• Potential: Stored energy due to position
• Thermal: Energy from heat
• Chemical: Energy stored in bonds
• Electrical: Energy from moving charges

✍ A device that uses energy is ____________________________
and it transforms ____________________________ into ____________________________.

Understand Matter and Its Properties

Everything around you is made of matter.

☑ Matter basics:

• Atoms: The building blocks of matter
• States of matter: Solid, liquid, gas, plasma
• Mass: How much matter something contains
• Density: Mass per unit volume

✍ One material I’m curious about is ____________________________
because it behaves like ____________________________.

Dive into Waves and Sound

Waves transfer energy without moving matter.

☑ Wave properties:

• Amplitude: Height of the wave
• Frequency: How often it repeats
• Wavelength: Distance between peaks
• Sound waves: Vibrations that travel through air or other media

✍ A sound I hear often is ____________________________
and it’s caused by ____________________________.

Explore Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity powers our world, and magnetism is closely linked.

☑ Key ideas:

• Charge: Positive or negative particles
• Current: Flow of electric charge
• Voltage: Energy per charge
• Magnetic fields: Created by moving charges

✍ One electrical device I use is ____________________________
and it works by ____________________________.

Think Big with Gravity and Space

Physics explains the motion of planets, stars, and galaxies.

☑ Concepts to explore:

• Gravity: The force of attraction between masses
• Orbits: Paths objects take around others
• Mass vs. weight: Mass is constant; weight depends on gravity

✍ One space phenomenon I’d like to learn about is ____________________________
because it shows ____________________________.

Final Reflection: Physics as Curiosity

Physics isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about noticing patterns, asking questions, and understanding the world more deeply. Whether you’re watching a pendulum swing or wondering how your microwave works, physics is there.

✍ If I could describe physics in three words, they’d be ____________________________, ____________________________, and ____________________________.

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