Kinematics Lab
Solve motion problems with diagrams, tables and three equations.
Kinematics Lab is a problem-solving game for the first big unit of high school physics. It begins with the difference between distance and displacement, and between speed and velocity. Students use number lines and map paths where every position is drawn at its real place.
From there the game adds acceleration, motion diagrams with dots at real positions, and tables of time and position. Students learn to choose among v equals v naught plus a t, d equals v naught t plus one half a t squared, and v squared equals v naught squared plus 2 a d, then solve with them. The final level covers free fall, vertical throws and projectiles launched horizontally.
What children practice
- Tell distance from displacement and speed from velocity
- Find average speed and average velocity
- Compute acceleration from a change in velocity
- Read motion diagrams and position or velocity tables
- Choose the right constant-acceleration equation from the known quantities
- Solve free fall, vertical throws and horizontal projectile problems
Levels
- Level 1: Distance and displacement
- Level 2: Speed and velocity
- Level 3: Acceleration
- Level 4: Motion diagrams and tables
- Level 5: Choosing the equation
- Level 6: Solving with the equations
- Level 7: Free fall and projectiles
- Level 8: Course mix
How it works
- Eight levels go from distance and displacement to projectiles, and the last level mixes them all.
- Given quantities are shown on cards in orange and the unknown in violet, with the units always printed.
- A level unlocks after five correct answers and the practice timer, one level at a time.
- Free fall questions state whether g is 9.8 or 10 meters per second squared, and air resistance is ignored.
Best for: A good fit for grades 9 to 11 in a physics course, for students who understand the ideas but stumble when a problem needs numbers.
Tip for parents: Time a toy car or a rolling ball over a measured distance and ask your child for its average speed. Then change the direction and ask how the velocity differs from the speed.
Questions parents ask
Does the game use motion graphs?
No. Reading position-time and velocity-time graphs is the job of Motion Graphs. Kinematics Lab focuses on numeric problems, motion diagrams and tables.
What units does it use?
Only SI units: meters, seconds, meters per second and meters per second squared. A quantity is written like v naught equals 4 m/s, with the unit on the card.
Is rounding ever needed?
No. The keypad answers are exact with at most two decimal places, and the prompt says when a minus sign may be needed.
Ready to try it?
Kinematics Lab is free with a parent account. A parent adds a child profile, and the child's progress is saved.