Modelling With Physics Simulations DYNAMICS Part 2 or 3

Frequently Asked Questions: Physics Simulations and Open Educational Resources

• What is the focus of the "Modelling With Physics Simulations DYNAMICS Part 2 of 3" workshop? This workshop, part of a three-part series, focuses on using physics simulations to model and understand dynamics. It is designed for upper secondary and junior college students, aiming to enhance their physics learning through interactive simulations and modeling activities. The workshop was held on Feb 17, 2016 and is part of a larger effort to integrate technology into physics education. It explores Newtonian mechanics, emphasizing force and motion principles.
• What kind of resources are available through Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore? The Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore (OER@SG) provides a wide array of interactive physics simulations, applets, and models, all of which are freely accessible. These resources cover diverse physics topics, from Newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism to optics and thermodynamics. Resources are available in the form of JavaScript HTML5 applets and are designed to enhance both teaching and learning experiences. There are numerous simulations including collision models, projectile motion, and wave behavior, that can be explored through the site.
• What tools and technologies are utilized in these physics simulations? The simulations predominantly use JavaScript and HTML5, allowing them to be run on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones, without the need for additional plugins. Many models are developed using the Easy JavaScript/Java Simulation (EjsS) authoring tool, which enables the creation of interactive, customizable simulations and models. This enables instructors and students to explore complex physics concepts via interactive and engaging interfaces.
• What is the "Tracker" software mentioned, and how is it used? Tracker is a video analysis and modeling tool that is used to analyse motion captured in videos. In the context of these resources, Tracker is employed to create simplified graphs from videos that model various physics phenomena, such as carts rolling down slopes, Atwood machines, projectile motion, and even complex dynamics of boomerangs. By analyzing video footage, students can collect data and visualize physical concepts, thereby providing a strong connection between real-world observations and theoretical concepts.
• Who are the key individuals and institutions involved in this project? Several prominent educators and institutions are mentioned, including Wolfgang Christian, Francisco Esquembre, and Fu-Kwun Hwang, who have contributed to developing physics simulations and interactive models. The resources are largely developed under the Open Source Physics @ Singapore, with support from institutions such as the Ministry of Education (Singapore), edulab@AST, and collaborations with various schools. The project also collaborates with global educators.
• What topics are covered in these simulations, beyond dynamics? Besides dynamics, the simulation resources cover a wide variety of topics including:
• Kinematics (motion without considering forces)
• Work, Energy, and Power
• Electromagnetism (including Faraday's Law, AC/DC motors, and magnetic fields)
• Waves (superposition, diffraction, Doppler effect)
• Quantum physics (photoelectric effect, radioactive decay)
• Thermodynamics (three states of matter)
• Optics (lens ray diagrams)
• Gravitational fields and potentials
• Mechanics (circular motion, projectile motion)
• Other concepts include collisions, frictional models and more
• What is the licensing for these materials and how can they be used? The materials are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, which generally means they can be freely shared and adapted, as long as proper attribution is given and any derived works are shared under the same license. However, the EasyJavaScriptSimulations Library requires a separate agreement for commercial use, which should be obtained directly from the university of Murcia via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The use is meant to be for educational, non-commercial means.
• What is the overall aim of the Open Educational Resources project? The project aims to foster interactive and engaging physics learning experiences through free, high-quality open-source simulations and tools. The main goal is to make physics education more accessible and effective by leveraging technology and collaborative efforts, thus facilitating the understanding of complex concepts. Through these simulation models, the project hopes to bridge the gap between textbook theory and real world physics. The project also facilitates collaboration between educators and researchers in physics education.