Physics + Programming
Simulate projectile motion with air drag in Python
Plot real trajectories with air resistance and compare them with the textbook parabola.
- Intermediate
- 1–2 weeks
- Free
606 projects · 13 streams · every class
Physics projects you can measure: motion, light, sound, heat, electricity and magnetism. Each project gives the materials, the steps and the calculation behind the result.
11 Physics projects
Physics + Programming
Plot real trajectories with air resistance and compare them with the textbook parabola.
Physics · Optics
Find the wavelength of microwaves from melt spots on chocolate, then calculate the speed of light.
Physics · Optics
Trace a laser beam entering water at several angles and get the refractive index from Snell's law.
Physics · Waves
Use two phones with an acoustic stopwatch app to time a clap over a known distance.
Physics · Current Electricity
Plot current against voltage for a resistor and a bulb and explain the difference.
Physics · Oscillations
Time pendulums of different lengths and get the acceleration due to gravity from a straight-line graph.
Physics · Optics
Split light with a CD and compare the spectra of the Sun, LEDs, CFLs and flames.
Physics + Astronomy and Space
Measure how fast sunlight heats blackened water and estimate the solar constant.
Physics · Optics
Reflect a laser at grazing angle off a steel ruler and get its wavelength from the diffraction spots.
Physics · Fluid Mechanics
Use the drop-weight method to compare the surface tension of water, soapy water and oil.
Physics · Oscillations
Film a pendulum losing amplitude in air and in water and test whether the decay is exponential.
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