Relatively
Puzzled.

THE CURRICULUM / LEVEL 1

Physics,
From the Ground Up.

Start with the tools. Follow the questions. Build your understanding of the physical world, one idea at a time.

12
lessons ready
3
with a video
4
levels on the roadmap
104
chapters planned in total
  1. Watch the video.
  2. Read the lesson, one step at a time.
  3. Try the problems.

Each part works alone. Skip the video, or skip the lesson.

Begin the first lesson →How to learn hereRead the preface

Level 1: The tour

  1. M1MathsWatch now

    Numbers, units and estimation

    Handle huge and tiny numbers, units and quick estimates with confidence.

    • Needs
    • school arithmetic
  2. M2MathsWatch now

    Algebra and graphs for physics

    Rearrange any formula, read any graph, and check answers with limiting cases.

    • Needs
    • M1
  3. P1PhysicsWatch now

    Describing motion

    Describe and predict straight-line motion with graphs and the constant-acceleration equations.

    • Needs
    • M1
    • M2
  4. M3aMathsNotes available, video soon

    Angles and radians

    Measure angles in degrees and radians, and use arc length.

    • Needs
    • M2
  5. M3bMathsNotes available, video soon

    Trigonometry from scratch

    Use sine, cosine and tangent confidently on right-angled triangles in any orientation.

    • Needs
    • M3a
  6. M3cMathsNotes available, video soon

    Vectors and components

    Add vectors and split them into components.

    • Needs
    • M3b
  7. P2PhysicsNotes available, video soon

    Forces and Newton's laws

    Draw free-body diagrams and use Newton's laws to predict motion in two dimensions.

    • Needs
    • P1
    • M3c
  8. P3PhysicsNotes available, video soon

    Energy and momentum

    Solve motion problems with conservation of energy and momentum instead of forces.

    • Needs
    • P2
  9. M4MathsNotes available, video soon

    Change and accumulation: the ideas of calculus

    Understand what derivatives and integrals mean, and do simple ones.

    • Needs
    • P1–P3
    • M2
  10. P4PhysicsNotes available, video soon

    Gravity and orbits

    Use Newton's gravity to explain orbits, weightlessness and tides.

    • Needs
    • P3
  11. P5PhysicsNotes available, video soon

    Rotation and spin

    Apply torque, moment of inertia and angular momentum to spinning and balancing objects.

    • Needs
    • P3
    • M3c
  12. P6PhysicsNotes available, video soon

    Matter in bulk: solids and fluids

    Explain stiffness, strength, pressure, buoyancy and flow.

    • Needs
    • P2
    • P3
  13. M5MathsPlanned

    Exponentials, logarithms and waves as functions

    Work with growth, decay, logarithmic scales and sine waves.

    • Needs
    • M2
    • M4
  14. P7PhysicsPlanned

    Oscillations, waves and sound

    Explain resonance, wave behaviour and sound quantitatively.

    • Needs
    • M5
    • P2
  15. P8PhysicsPlanned

    Heat and temperature

    Use temperature, heat, internal energy and the ideal gas law.

    • Needs
    • P3
  16. M6MathsPlanned

    Counting and probability

    Count arrangements and reason with probabilities, averages and spread.

    • Needs
    • M5
  17. P9PhysicsPlanned

    Entropy, engines and the arrow of time

    Explain entropy by counting arrangements, and apply the second law to engines, fridges and life.

    • Needs
    • P8
    • M6
  18. P10PhysicsPlanned

    Electricity

    Use charge, field, voltage, current and resistance to analyse circuits.

    • Needs
    • P3
    • M3c
    • M5
  19. P11PhysicsPlanned

    Magnetism and induction

    Explain electromagnets, motors, generators and transformers.

    • Needs
    • P10
  20. P12PhysicsPlanned

    Light

    Explain light as an electromagnetic wave, and use rays and waves to explain optical effects.

    • Needs
    • P11
    • P7
  21. P13PhysicsPlanned

    Special relativity

    Calculate time dilation and length contraction, and explain spacetime and E = mc².

    • Needs
    • P3
    • P12
  22. P14PhysicsPlanned

    The quantum revolution

    Explain the experiments that forced quantum theory on physics.

    • Needs
    • P12
    • P8
  23. P15PhysicsPlanned

    The quantum world

    Use the wave function, uncertainty and quantised energy levels, and explain tunnelling and entanglement.

    • Needs
    • P14
  24. P16PhysicsPlanned

    Atoms and chemistry

    Explain atomic structure, the periodic table, spectra, lasers and chemical bonds.

    • Needs
    • P15
  25. P17PhysicsPlanned

    Solids, semiconductors and superconductors

    Explain why materials conduct, insulate or superconduct, and how electronic devices work.

    • Needs
    • P16
  26. P18PhysicsPlanned

    The nucleus

    Explain radioactivity, nuclear energy and radiation safety with numbers.

    • Needs
    • P16
    • P13
  27. P19PhysicsPlanned

    Particles and forces

    Describe the Standard Model's particles and forces, and how they are discovered.

    • Needs
    • P18
  28. P20PhysicsPlanned

    Stars

    Explain how stars are measured, how they shine, live and die, and where the elements come from.

    • Needs
    • P18
    • P12
  29. P21PhysicsPlanned

    Curved spacetime

    Explain gravity as curved spacetime, and its observable effects.

    • Needs
    • P13
    • P4
  30. P22PhysicsPlanned

    The cosmos

    Explain the scale, history and contents of the universe, and what is still unknown.

    • Needs
    • P20
    • P21

Later levels

  1. Level 2: The core, with the maths29 chapters planned
  2. Level 3: Advanced theory22 chapters planned
  3. Level 4: Branches, methods and frontiers23 chapters planned