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Physics

The physics of getting to Mars and living there: why things fall, how orbits and rockets work, and how to land on a world with thin air. Every idea explained, worked examples, and practice with answers.

Start here Topics Simulators

Physics for Mars, from a first push to the rocket equation

New here? Start with a first lesson

Six first lessons for young beginners. Each one leads on to the next lesson of its topic.

  1. Why things fall down where is "down"?
  2. Jumping on Mars how high could you jump there?
  3. The Moon goes round why does it not fall?
  4. Pushes make things go what starts a thing moving?
  5. The balloon rocket how does a balloon fly?
  6. Coming down gently how do you land softly?

Begin lesson 1 →

Every idea explained in plain words, every law with the reason we believe it, worked examples step by step, and practice questions with the answers folded underneath. The numbers for Mars come from NASA and the missions that measured them. Free, and readable at any age.

Find your level

Beginner

Young readers and school.

  • Short lessons by topic
  • Levels 1 to 4 of each topic's ladder

Start here

Intermediate

Teens, adults and first-year students.

  • Topic levels 5 to 7: the equations, worked out
  • The simulators: try a jump, a launch window or a landing

Open the topics

Expert

University and beyond.

  • Level 8 of each topic: mission design
  • Delta-v budgets, gravity assists, aerocapture

Mission design

Not sure? Take the one-minute level check.

The topics

Topic What you will be able to do
Gravity and orbits Work out a fall on Mars, an orbit's period, the escape speed and the 259-day trip to Mars
Rockets and landing Explain thrust, use the rocket equation, and plan a landing through air about sixty times thinner than ours
All ten topics Forces, energy, heat, air, waves, electricity, radiation, space and time

Part of Mars – your new home, with Math, Computer science and Cryptography.