Research > Homework Center > Physical sciences

Physical sciences

Chemistry
Physics
Science experiments
Science fair projects
Science museums
Simple machines

Chemistry

Elements

Chemicool Periodic Table: ://wild-turkey.mit.edu/Chemicool/

Learn the characteristics, states, reactions, forms, cunductivity and abundance of all the chemical elements.
The Visual Elements Periodic Table: ://www.chemsoc.org/viselements/pages/pertable_fla.htm

Includes information on all the elements, a brief history of the modern periodic table and more.
Chemogenesis Periodic Table Formations: http://www.meta-synthesis.com/webbook/35_pt/pt.html

What if the table of elements was arranged differently? Check out variations of design here, and see if they're more or less useful.
Periodic Table of Videos: http://www.periodicvideos.com/#

Click on the symbol to watch a fascinating video about the element.

Physics megasites

Einstein Revealed: ://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/

NOVA Online presents information about Albert Einstein's life, his work and his theories. High graphics may lead to slow loading. Text version is available.
Hyperphysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html

Great site for older students about the different branches of physics. Check out "Sound and Hearing" and "Mechanics" as well as other topics.
Microworlds: Exploring the Structure of Materials: Contents: ://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/Contents/Contents.html

Electrons racing at nearly the speed of light? What is it about a material that makes it hard, brittle, or a good electrical conductor?
Physics 2000: ://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/

Interactively explore popular physics theories with applet technology.
The Physics Classroom: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/

Glenbrook South High School features beginning and intermediate explanations to laws of physics. Includes Multimedia Physics Studio, with animations that explain major principles of physics.
Physics Tutorials: ://www.physics.uoguelph.ca/tutorials/tutorials.html

Brush up on your physics here!
Slinky Toy: http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/ss/Physics_Illustr.htm

An explanation of how a Slinky toy works, and Robert Hoooke's law that defines how springs and wires act.
Super Bridge: ://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/

NOVA Online features the four major types of bridges and shows you how to build a bridge. High graphics may lead the website to load slowly. Text version is available.
Sport Science: http://www.exploratorium.edu/sports/index.html

How do the laws of physics control your favorite sports--like surfing, skateboarding and baseball?
Virtual Laboratory: ://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/

The University of Oregon provides a series of interactive experiments without being in a lab!
A Walk Through Time: ://physics.nist.gov/GenInt/Time/time.html

The evolution of time measurement, including ancient calendars, early clocks, the atomic age, and more.

Bouyancy

Buoyancy Basics: ://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lasalle/buoybasics.html

This website from NOVA Online explores bouyance basics. Once you learn the basics, go on to the brainteasers section.

Bubbles and Soap

Bubblesphere: ://www.bubbles.org/

Enter the bubblesphere and explore soap bubble history, make the ultimate bubble solution, or play tic tac bubble.
Soap Bubbles: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/bubbles/bubbles.html

Explains how soap bubble work and why, also gives links to additional resources.
Soap Films Made Easy: http://maartenrutgers.org/science/soapbasics/soapbasics.html

Soap bubbles and films explained. Great detailed images to help explain concepts.
Bubbletown: http://www.zurqui.co.cr/crinfocus/bubble/tro.html

Bubbletown is loaded with tips, games, formulas and engineering facts...all about bubbles!

Color and Light

Optics for Kids: Science and Engineering: http://www.opticalres.com/kidoptx_f.html

Light basics, controlling light, lenses, magnifying Glass: a simple optical device, what's cool about lasers?
Physics: Light: http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1624

Here's some great sites that let you play games and do experiments online, related to light and color.

Sound

Physics Sound and Music: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys1240/phys1240_fa05/resources.html

This site links to dozens of other websites related to sound, music and physicsm including acoustics, waves, the human voice and more.
Physics of Musical Instruments: http://www.mrfizzix.com/instruments/

How musical instruments and sound waves make music.
Faster Than Sound: ://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/barrier/

NOVA Online presents a look back at Chuck Yeager and breaking the sound barrier, what creates sonic boom, and what people are doing now to beat the speed records. High graphics may lead to slow loading. Text version is available.

Roller Coasters & Amusement Parks

Amusement Park Physics: ://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/

"What are the forces behind the fun?"
Roller Coaster Records: ://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/9706/roller.coasters/records.html

Fastest, longest, highest, and the oldest wood and steel roller coasters.
Roller Coasters: http://www.britannica.com/coasters/

From Encyclopedica Britannica, this website looks at roller coasters from th 1800s to the present and includes inventor information.

Science experiments

Science fair projects

Science museums

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Home Page: ://www.omsi.edu

OMSI is a great place to find just about anything...
Questacon: ://www.questacon.edu.au/index_flash.asp

National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, Australia. Check out the materials available with their touring exhibits.
Exploratorium: http://www.exploratorium.edu/

This awesome museum in San Francisco, CA, lets you explore science on-line too!

Simple machines

The Elements of Machines: ://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html

This website presents a variety of definitions and photos of simple machines from levers and pulleys to gears, cranks, and ratchets.
Simple Machines: http://www.msichicago.org/online-science/simple-machines/activities/simple-machines-1/

Play these games and help cute little Twitch use simple machines like levers, pulleys and inclined planes to make his work easier.