Interactive Physics Simulations

Student Performance Objectives:

• The teacher candidate will select one interactive physics similuation and become familiar with its use.
• The teacher candidate will develop a simulation-based worksheet for student use.
• The teacher candidate will present the worksheet to the class.

Physlets - Physics Applets - are typically interactive Java simulations designed for physics education. You do not need to be a Java expert in order to use physlets; physlets tend to be user friendly. Nonetheless, it often takes a bit of practice to become familiar with and learn the educational uses of a phylet. The links below generally contain tutorials, instructions, and sample problems to help you use physlets in your teaching. Working in pairs, rough out a worksheet activity for students to use after you have become familiar with a particular simulation. Don't waste time looking through many simulations. Pick one quickly and just "go" with it. Presentations will take place near the end of class.

• Physics Education Technology (PhET)
• Physlets (Davidson College)
• Interactive Physlets (Grenfell College)
• Virtual Labs and Simulations (Hazelwood High School)
• MyPhysicsLabs (Simulations by Erik Neumann)
• First & Second Semester Demonstrations (Simulations by Duffy)
• Applets and Shockwave Animations for use in Physics
• Physics Java Applets by C. K. Ng
• Flash Animations for Physics
• Hippocampus
• Physics Classroom

Note that a search of the internet using Google or similar search engines will reveal many other resources.

(last updated 1/17/2009)