PHOTO-REALISTIC LAB SIMULATIONS
AIRTRACKS BALLISTIC LAUNCHER DYNAMICS CARTS
AIR TABLE SPRINGS FRICTION WORK/INCLINE
STANDING WAVES SIMPLE PENDULUM FREEFALL
NEWTON'S MAZE CENTRIPETAL
FORCE CALORIMETRY
FORCE TABLE
THIS PROJECT ORIGINALLY SUPPORTED BY A GRANT
FROM AMERITECH
ALL OF THESE SIMULATIONS HAVE BEEN UPDATED (WINDOWS ONLY) TO THE 2011 VERSIONS WHERE YOU CAN USE ANY OF 4 WINDOW SIZES DEPENDING ON THE SET SCREEN RESOLUTION OF YOUR COMPUTER. AVAILABLE ARE: 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x960 (best), and 1600x1200 PIXEL RESOLUTIONS. THE MULTI VERSION WILL AUTOMATICALLY RUN IN THE LARGEST WINDOW AVAILABLE WHILE INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTION DOWNLOADS WILL REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE DOWNLOAD FILE AND YOUR DISK STORAGE REQUIREMENTS. DOWNLOADS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL EXPERIMENT OR AS A PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES ALL OF THE ABOVE. THE ARCHIVED OLDER WINDOWS VERSION-AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE SET-RUNS ONLY IN THE 1024x768 RESOLUTION.
These are
separate modules in a series of laboratory simulations designed to serve as
both pre and post lab tools.
AIRTRACK: This module includes several experiments can be simulated (measuring velocity, measuring acceleration, collisions, Newton's 2nd Law, and kinetic/potential energy conversions). Typical data can be generated and analyzed.
PASCO PROJECTILE LAUNCHER: Two main experiments are covered. The first is an exercise in experimental design. The second is a more complex experiment to attempt to model the launcher through an equation and using spreadsheet analysis to develop the equation and then to check it against the equipment.
PASCO DYNMATIC CARTS (using the Pascar units): The experiments here are similar to the airtrack ones.
AIR TALBE: A variety of two-dimensional collisions can be created and analyzed. Data collection is simulated in three ways, but the analysis of the data is left to the student.
SPRINGS AND SHM: The student can measure spring constants using Hooke's Law and then compare the period of oscillation of masses on the spring to the SHM theory.
FRICTION: A simulation where students can measure the coefficients of static and kinetic friction for a wooden block sitting on two different surface areas. The block can be weighted down to increase the normal force.
WORK AND MACHINES: This uses an inclined plane and a cart to study simple machines, mechanical advantage, work and energy, and efficiency.
STANDING WAVES ON A STRING: provides a simulation of the standard vibrator, string, tension lab where several standing wave patterns can be achieved. No video files are included in this package.
SIMPLE PENDULUM: Here students can study the period dependence on length, bob mass, and amplitude of swing is a pseudo real-time mode. Animations of a pendulum can be timed using an on-screen stop-watch. This package has no video and a fast machine and video card are recommended. Mac performance is marginal because of the animation techniques.
FREEFALL: This simulation uses the Pasco time of flight apparatus to time vertically falling balls--a small golf ball or a large, light, plastic ball. Timing is done with the Pasco smart timer. This experiment is designed to familiarize students with the concepts of acceleration by having them plot height versus time data.
NEWTON'S MAZE: This is a 'computer game' but one that can be setup and done as a 'live' exercise. The idea is to move a ball around a maze in the shortest possible time by applying short impulses to the ball. A good working understanding of Newton's Laws will help a lot. This can be turned into a contest.
CENTRIPETAL FORCE: Based on the most common equipment setup, this animation follows the basic experimental procedures for determining the rotational parameters for measuring centripetal force. This animation is more of a 'cartoon' than most of the others (rotational animations are difficult) but the apparatus is reasonably well created.
CALORIMETRY: This
module includes three experiments--specific heat, heat of fusion, and heat of
vaporization. The module is very graphic oriented and therefore is quite
large. The animations are limited (use of a triple beam balance) but the
inclusion of this module helps to round out the offerings to cover first
semester labs.
FORCE TABLE: A force table simulation that allows students to check their abilities to break force vectors into components and/or to find the resultant of two or three force vectors.
