Physics Study Hub
See how motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, light, and modern physics fit together through clear beginner-friendly lessons.
Physics Practice Center
The book includes 12 distinct practice tests: 2 printed tests, available here as online copies, and 10 additional online tests accessed through the book.
These tests cover the full physics survey. For the Core pathway, score only questions on assigned topics and use that question count as the denominator. Treat questions on untaught topics as diagnostic practice.
Physics Course Blueprint
Open each area to see what to master. The bars show how this hub distributes its chapters, so you can plan study time without mistaking the map for an official exam weighting.
01 Measurement and motionBuild the measurement and motion models in Chapters 1–3. 3chapters
- Chapter 1: units, vectors, graphs, and measurement
- Chapters 2–3: velocity, acceleration, and free fall
02 Forces and gravityModel interactions and circular motion in Chapters 4–5. 2chapters
- Chapter 4: Newton laws and force diagrams
- Chapter 5: gravitation, circular motion, and orbits
03 Momentum, energy, and rotationCompare conservation and force models in Chapters 6–8. 3chapters
- Chapters 6–7: momentum, impulse, work, and energy
- Chapter 8: torque, balance, and rotational motion
04 Matter, fluids, and thermal physicsConnect materials and thermal behavior in Chapters 9–12. 4chapters
- Chapters 9–10: materials, machines, pressure, and fluids
- Chapters 11–12: gases, temperature, heat, and thermodynamics
05 Oscillations, waves, and soundInterpret periodic motion and wave behavior in Chapters 13–15. 3chapters
- Chapters 13–14: oscillations, wave speed, and superposition
- Chapter 15: sound, hearing, and resonance
06 Electricity and magnetismTrace charges, circuits, and magnetic effects in Chapters 16–19. 4chapters
- Chapters 16–17: electrostatics, circuits, and capacitors
- Chapters 18–19: magnetism and induction
07 Electromagnetic waves and opticsConnect signals and optical models in Chapters 20–23. 4chapters
- Chapters 20–21: electromagnetic waves, reflection, and refraction
- Chapters 22–23: lenses, interference, diffraction, and polarization
08 Modern physics and scientific practiceUse modern models and evidence methods in Chapters 24–26. 3chapters
- Chapters 24–25: quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics
- Chapter 26: experiments, models, and data; revisit throughout the course
Study-map shares describe the learning resources on this page. They are not presented as official test percentages.
Free physics lessons and practice
Start with a moving object, a force, a wave, or a beam of light. Then add the math. This page gives you 26 beginner lessons, two full-length tests, quick formula help, and 217 flashcards you can study at your own pace.
Get the complete bookTest what you can do
Two free full-length physics tests
The online versions of the two printed practice exams are free to take here. Each is a complete 40-question form with a timer, automatic scoring, and a worked explanation for every question. Use the first as a checkup, review what you missed, then take the second when the ideas feel settled. High School Physics comes with twelve full-length forms in total: two printed exams and ten additional online forms. The complete tests sample the full 26-chapter survey. For a Core course, select taught-topic items and score only the number assigned; use untaught topics as a diagnostic. The ten additional forms are reached through the QR access page in the book.
Practice Exam 1
The same forty questions as Practice Exam 1 in High School Physics.
Practice Exam 2
The same forty questions as Practice Exam 2 in High School Physics.
A calm way to begin
Start with a diagnostic, then study what you missed
You do not need to finish the book before learning where you stand. A short first pass through the test can point you toward the chapters that will help most.
Try Test 1
Work without notes. Guess when needed and keep moving, just as you would during a timed test.
Sort the misses
Mark each missed question by topic: mechanics, thermal physics, waves, electricity, light, or modern physics.
Study the matching lesson
Read the chapter explanation, copy one worked example, and solve a nearby practice problem on your own.
Return with Test 2
Take the second form after review. Compare topic by topic, not only by total score.
Build the language first
A real flashcard study tool
Search all 217 cards, choose one part of physics, shuffle the deck, and mark each card as known or ready for another look. Your progress stays on the device you are using.
Quick formula shelf
Know what each formula is saying
A formula is a compact sentence. Name the quantities and picture the situation before substituting numbers.
Motion
average speed = distance ÷ timeaavg = Δv ÷ ΔtVelocity includes direction. Acceleration describes a change in velocity.
Forces & momentum
ΣF = map = mvChoose the system first. Then add forces or momentum as vectors.
Energy & power
K = ½mv²Pavg = Etransferred ÷ ΔtTrack where energy begins, where it ends, and how quickly it moves.
Fluids & heat
ρ = m ÷ VQ = mcΔTDensity connects mass and volume. Heat is energy transferred by a temperature difference.
Waves
v = fλf = 1 ÷ TFrequency comes from the source. Speed depends on the medium.
Circuits
V = IRP = IVSeries paths share current. Parallel branches share voltage.
Light
n = c ÷ v1/f = 1/dₒ + 1/dᵢAngles are measured from the normal. Keep the book’s sign convention beside you.
Atomic & nuclear
E = hfE = mc²These relations connect energy with frequency and with mass.
The complete learning path
Twenty-six beginner lessons
Open a lesson when you want another explanation of a chapter idea. Each one opens in a new tab, so this page keeps your place.
Foundations & Mechanics
Build the language of motion, forces, energy, rotation, and matter.
- 1The Physics Toolkit: Measurement, Units, Vectors, and Graphs
- 2Motion: Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
- 3Acceleration and Free Fall
- 4Forces and Newton's Laws
- 5Gravity, Circular Motion, and Orbits
- 6Momentum, Impulse, and Collisions
- 7Work, Energy, and Power
- 8Rotation, Torque, and Balance
- 9Matter and Materials
Fluids, Thermal Physics & Waves
Follow pressure, heat, oscillations, waves, and sound through familiar examples.
Electricity & Magnetism
Trace charge, current, magnetic fields, induction, and communication signals.
Light & Modern Physics
See how light forms images, then meet atomic, nuclear, and experimental physics.
Common beginner mix-ups
Six pairs worth slowing down for
These words sound close, but they answer different questions. Sorting them early prevents many formula mistakes.
Distance and displacement
Distance follows the whole route. Displacement points from start to finish.
Speed and velocity
Speed has magnitude. Velocity has magnitude and direction.
Mass and weight
Mass measures inertia. Weight is the gravitational force on that mass.
Heat and temperature
Heat is transferred energy. Temperature helps determine which way thermal energy flows.
Current and voltage
Current is charge flow per unit time. Voltage is energy transferred per unit charge.
Real and virtual images
Real images form where rays meet. Virtual images form where rays only appear to meet.
Choose the part you need
Four focused practice paths
Studying one connected group can be easier than jumping across the whole book.
Mechanics
Motion, forces, gravity, momentum, energy, rotation, and materials. Chapters 1–9.
Open the lesson listThermal physics & waves
Fluids, temperature, heat, oscillations, waves, and sound. Chapters 10–15.
Open the lesson listElectricity & magnetism
Charge, circuits, fields, induction, devices, and communication. Chapters 16–20.
Open the lesson listLight & modern physics
Optics, quantum physics, nuclei, experiments, and data. Chapters 21–26.
Open the lesson listA four-week route
One month of steady physics
Aim for 35 to 50 minutes on five days each week. Leave one day for review and one day completely free.
Mechanics
Chapters 1–7. Draw every situation, label units, and explain the direction of each vector.
Rotation, matter & waves
Chapters 8–15. Connect equations to balance, fluids, temperature, oscillation, and sound.
Electricity, magnetism & light
Chapters 16–23. Sketch circuits, fields, ray paths, and wave patterns before calculating.
Modern physics & testing
Chapters 24–26. Review flashcards, take both tests, and revisit each missed topic.
Questions beginners ask
Before you start
Do I need calculus?
No. The book and this hub use arithmetic, graphs, proportions, and introductory algebra. A few ideas point toward calculus, but you can understand the physics without taking a calculus course.
Should I memorize every formula?
Begin with the meaning of each quantity and the physical story. Keep a formula sheet nearby while practicing. The formulas you use repeatedly will become familiar on their own.
What should I do when I cannot start a problem?
Write down what is known, choose the object or system, sketch the situation, and attach a unit to every number. Then name the quantity the question asks for. Those four moves usually reveal the next step.
How should I use the practice tests?
Take Test 1 before a long review. Study each explanation and match every miss to a chapter. Use Test 2 later under timed conditions to see which topics now hold up without notes.
Will my flashcard progress be saved?
Yes, on the same browser and device. The flashcard tool stores only your known and review-again marks in your browser. It does not ask for an account.
Where should an absolute beginner begin?
Start with Chapter 1, even if the later topics look more exciting. Units, vectors, graphs, and the problem-solving routine from that chapter appear throughout the book.
Ready for your first checkup?
Set aside 70 minutes, work without notes, and mark every question you want to revisit.
Every lesson in one place
Open a lesson in a new tab and keep this hub nearby as your study home.