Physics simulations
Computer simulations are a great way to strengthen a conceptual understanding
of physics when laboratory equipment is not available or is not practical
for a certain topic. Although many simulations are available, I have
selected the ones that I feel demonstrate the concepts best. To explore
more simulations on your own, there is a list of other simulation resources
at the end of the page.
Many of these simulations require Java. If you cannot get them
to work, try downloading a recent version of Java.
This page will continue to be updated with simulations that apply to
current topics in the course.
1-D kinematics, friction
Stopping distance of a car:
2-D kinematics
Velocity and acceleration in 2D:
Projectile motion:
Torque and rotation
Torque:
Rotational equilibrium:
Translational and rotational motion in a wheel: (similar to bowling
ball problem)
Universal gravitation
Elliptical orbits:
Simple harmonic motion:
Energy in a mass-spring system:
Work and Energy
Energy of a block on an inclined plane:
Collisions
Elastic and inelastic collisions:
Centripetal force
Centripetal force in a carousel:
Wave motion
Transverse periodic wave:
http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm/TwaveA.htm
Longitudinal periodic wave:
http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm/Lwave.htm
Standing waves:
http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishhtm/StatWave.htm
Group velocity: (an advanced topic)
http://www.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/more_stuff/Applets/sines/GroupVelocity.html
Interference of water waves:
http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/applets/interference2/1to2/Interference.htm
Beats
http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/beats.htm
Electric Field
Electric field lines
Electric field hockey:
Electric field in a parallel plate capacitor:
Gauss' Law:
Circuits
RC Circuit:
LC Circuit:
Electromagnetic wave:
Transformer:
Optics
Special relativity
Other simulations
Java Applets on Physics,
Walter Fendt
Physics
Java Applets, C. K. Ng
Physics Education Technology
Project, (PhET) University of Colorado, Boulder
Simulation
Library, Wiley
Interactive Physics
Simulations, John A. Mallinckrodt, Cal Poly Pomona
General Physics
Java Applets, B. Surendranath Reddy
Virtual Physics Laboratory,
Fu-Kwun Hwang
The
Science and Math Section, Worsley School Online
Math resources
The Integrator (by the makers of Mathematica)