About

http://weelookang.blogspot.com/2011/09/ejs-open-source-circular-loop-vertical.html  

Translations

Code	Language		Translator	Run

Credits

Fu-Kwun Hwang remixed by lookang; lookang; tina

http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_6circle/ejss_model_coaster96wee/coaster96wee_Simulation.xhtml

Briefing Document: 🎢Vertical Circular Loop Model & Open Educational Resources

1. Overview

This document reviews a resource from "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" focusing on a "Vertical Circular Loop Model." This model is presented as an interactive simulation, likely for educational purposes, that demonstrates the physics principles behind a mass moving in a vertical circular path, such as a roller coaster. The broader context is the site's mission to provide open educational resources, particularly in physics, using interactive simulations. The site uses Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS) to create these models, making them accessible on a wide range of devices.

2. Key Themes and Concepts

• Vertical Circular Motion: The core focus is on the dynamics of an object moving in a vertical circle. This includes understanding the interplay of forces (like gravity and centripetal force), energy transformations (potential and kinetic), and the application of Newton's Second Law.
• Conservation of Energy: A fundamental principle highlighted is the conservation of energy. The document states, "Conservation of energy is a consequence of motion that is universally applicable in this motion, for example as gravitational potential energy plus the kinetic energy at any point is always a constant value, provided no external force is present." This principle is crucial to understanding how the object's speed changes as it moves through the loop.
• Stages of Motion: The vertical loop motion is broken down into distinct stages:
• hmode: Moving on a horizontal launch track.
• Stage 0: Moving in circular motion on the up track.
• Stage 1: Moving in circular motion on the circle track.
• Stage 2: Moving in linear motion on the straight bottom track.
• Stage 3: Moving in free fall motion. This breakdown helps to analyze the forces and energy at different points in the motion.
• Newton's Second Law: The document states, "The motion of a mass on track in a vertical circle follows Newton's 2nd Law applied to the circular motion context." This law provides the basis for analyzing the forces and resulting motion.
• Interactive Simulations (EJS): The use of Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS) is a major element. This allows the model to be embedded in web pages and accessed on various devices, making learning more engaging and accessible. The tool is highlighted in the following statements:
• “Embed this model in a webpage:”
• "20130322 Public Lecture-Talk Design and create Physics Simulation Using Easy Java Simulation by Fu-Kwun Hwang"
• “💻Easy JavaScript/Java Simulation Authoring and Modeling Tool”

3. Important Facts and Details

• Model Details:The simulation is named "coaster96wee".
• It's available at the provided URL: https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_6circle/ejss_model_coaster96wee/coaster96wee_Simulation.xhtml
• The model was remixed by lookang and tina, based on work by Fu-Kwun Hwang.
• Target Audience: The resource is likely designed for "Junior College" level students, implying a high school or early college-level physics course.
• Accessibility: The simulation is accessible on multiple platforms: "Android/iOS including handphones/Tablets/iPads," and "Windows/MacOSX/Linux including Laptops/Desktops", and “ChromeBook Laptops”.
• Supporting Materials: There are accompanying worksheets ("coaster96weeICTlessonPlan(YipKimWah).pdf" and "coaster96weeWorksheetB-CircularmotionJavaSimworksheet(students).pdf") suggesting a structured learning experience.
• Open Source Nature: The resource is explicitly part of an open educational initiative. The page also has a license stating, “Contents are licensed Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License.” This enables adaptation and sharing.
• Extensive Resource Collection: The document showcases a large collection of related interactive resources covering numerous physics topics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, waves, optics, and thermodynamics. There is also the inclusion of resources for other subjects like math. This shows the breadth and depth of the Open Educational Resource site.

4. Key Takeaways

• The "Vertical Circular Loop Model" provides a dynamic and engaging way to learn about circular motion, energy conservation, and Newton's Laws.
• The use of EJS makes this learning accessible on various devices and encourages hands-on exploration.
• The broader site represents a rich collection of open-source educational resources that can be used to supplement physics instruction at various educational levels.
• The resources are not only interactive but also include lesson plans, worksheets, and models that can be used as practical educational materials.
• The site prioritizes making complex physics concepts accessible through interactive and innovative methods, showcasing its dedication to educational advancement using open-source tools and materials.

5. Potential Uses

• Direct instruction for physics students learning about circular motion and energy.
• Supplementary material for independent learning or exploration.
• Integration into lesson plans for physics teachers.
• As a model for developing similar interactive educational tools.

In conclusion, this resource offers a concrete example of how interactive simulations and open educational resources can be used to promote effective learning in physics. The specific "Vertical Circular Loop Model," along with its supporting documents, represents a valuable tool for educators and students alike.

Vertical Circular Loop Model Study Guide

Quiz

1. In the context of a vertical circular loop, how does Newton's Second Law apply to the motion of a mass on a track?
2. Explain the role of conservation of energy in the motion of an object moving through a vertical circular loop, assuming no external forces.
3. Describe the different stages of motion for the object in the provided simulation, starting from the horizontal launch track.
4. What is the function of the simulation model described in the text?
5. What specific types of devices are able to run the simulation?
6. How does gravitational potential energy interact with kinetic energy during the motion of the mass in a vertical loop, and what does it mean for the total energy of the system?
7. What are two examples of file types that are available for use from the text?
8. What is the relationship between circular motion and simple harmonic motion?
9. Name two additional simulation models provided in the text that concern simple harmonic motion.
10. What is a real-world example that can be modeled using the principles behind this simulation?

Quiz Answer Key

1. Newton's Second Law, which states that force equals mass times acceleration, is applied in the context of circular motion to analyze the centripetal force acting on the object as it moves along the circular path. This centripetal force is responsible for changing the direction of the object's velocity, keeping it in the circular path.
2. Conservation of energy dictates that the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant throughout the motion, meaning that energy is transferred between potential and kinetic forms but not lost to other forces if no external forces are present. As the object rises, kinetic energy converts to potential, and as it descends, potential energy converts back to kinetic.
3. The motion in this simulation is broken into the following stages: a horizontal launch track (hmode), a circular uptrack (stage 0), a circular track (stage 1), a straight bottom track (stage 2) and finally, a free fall (stage 3).
4. The simulation model allows users to visualize and study the dynamics of a mass moving along a track, focusing on how forces and energies interact within a vertical circular loop.
5. The simulation is designed to run on Android and iOS devices, including phones, tablets, and iPads, as well as Windows, macOS, and Linux systems, including laptops and desktops, along with ChromeBooks.
6. In a vertical loop, as the object moves upwards, its kinetic energy is converted into gravitational potential energy, slowing it down. As the object moves downwards, the potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy, speeding it up. The total mechanical energy of the system is conserved, remaining constant.
7. PDF and JAR are both referenced in the text as file types available.
8. Circular motion can be related to simple harmonic motion when you look at the projection of uniform circular motion onto a diameter; this projection follows SHM.
9. The "10.1.3 Horizontal Spring Mass Model X vs t JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model" and the "10 Pendulum JavaScript Model Simulation Applet HTML5" are two examples of simulation models concerning simple harmonic motion.
10. A roller coaster is a real-world example that can be modeled using the principles of the simulation; the cars follow a similar circular motion.

Essay Questions

1. Analyze how the simulation’s different stages of motion (horizontal launch, circular uptrack, circular track, straight track, free fall) demonstrate key physics principles such as conservation of energy and Newton's Second Law.
2. Discuss the importance of interactive simulations, like the one described, in understanding complex physics concepts and compare them to traditional teaching methods.
3. Using the concept of conservation of energy, describe what would happen to the speed of the object at different points in the vertical circle, including the top and bottom of the loop.
4. Critically evaluate the design of the vertical circular loop model, considering how it can be used to explore the physics of circular motion and energy conservation and describe its potential use in an educational setting.
5. Describe the significance of the various resource links listed in the text, explaining how they might be useful for those learning physics.

Glossary of Key Terms

Newton's Second Law: The fundamental law of motion stating that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F=ma). In circular motion, this is often applied to calculate the centripetal force.

Conservation of Energy: A principle stating that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant; energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transformed from one form to another (e.g., kinetic to potential).

Gravitational Potential Energy: The energy possessed by an object due to its position in a gravitational field, often increasing as an object gains height.

Kinetic Energy: The energy an object possesses due to its motion, directly proportional to the mass and the square of the speed.

Centripetal Force: The force that acts on an object moving in a circular path and is directed toward the center of the circle. It's responsible for changing the direction of the object's velocity.

Circular Motion: The movement of an object along the circumference of a circle or rotation along a circular path.

Simple Harmonic Motion: A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement and acts in the opposite direction of the displacement.

 

Worksheets 

1. coaster96weeICTlessonPlan(YipKimWah).pdf by AJC
2. coaster96weeWorksheetB-CircularmotionJavaSimworksheet(students).pdf by AJC

Theory

The motion of a mass on track in a vertical circle follows Newton's 2nd Law applied to the circular motion context.

Conservation of energy is a consequence of motion that is universally applicable in this motion, for example as gravitational potential energy plus the kinetic energy at any point is always a constant value, provided no external force is present. 

This motion is broken up into several stages

hmode moving on is horizontal launch track

stage 0 moving in circular motion on the uptrack

stage 1 moving in circular motion on the circletrack

stage 2 moving in linear motion on the straight bottom track

stage 3 moving in free fall motion

 Version:

1. • http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2011/09/ejs-open-source-circular-loop-vertical.html
   • http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_6circle/ejs/ejs_model_coaster96wee.jar

Other Resources

[text]

Frequently Asked Questions: Vertical Circular Loop Model

1. What is the Vertical Circular Loop Model and what physics concepts does it demonstrate?
2. The Vertical Circular Loop Model is a simulation, often implemented using tools like Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS), that demonstrates the motion of an object moving in a vertical circular path, such as a roller coaster on a loop. It primarily explores the interplay between dynamics and circular motion, governed by Newton's 2nd Law applied in the context of circular motion. Crucially, it showcases the principle of conservation of energy, highlighting the conversion between kinetic and gravitational potential energy throughout the motion, assuming no external non-conservative forces are present. The model also often breaks the motion down into several distinct stages to help analyze and understand the changing forces and energy forms. These stages include horizontal launch track, circular motion on the uptrack, circular motion on the circletrack, linear motion on the bottom straight track and finally free fall.
3. How is the motion in the Vertical Circular Loop Model broken down for analysis?
4. The motion is typically analyzed in several distinct stages. These stages include an initial horizontal launch track, followed by the object moving up the circular track (uptrack), then around the circular loop (circletrack), a straight linear portion at the bottom of the loop, and a final free-fall stage. Each of these stages has unique characteristics regarding the forces and types of motion involved (linear, circular, free fall). This stage-by-stage analysis allows for a deeper understanding of the physics principles at play in different parts of the motion.
5. What is the role of Newton's 2nd Law in the Vertical Circular Loop Model?
6. Newton's 2nd Law (F=ma) is the fundamental principle that governs the motion of the object in the model. Specifically, the net force acting on the object is analyzed as the centripetal force required for circular motion in the circular stages of the simulation. This means that the forces acting on the object (like gravity and the normal force from the track) are combined to calculate the resultant force, which must equal the mass times the centripetal acceleration (a = v²/r), where v is the speed and r is the radius of the circular path. In essence, the relationship between the net force and the object's acceleration determine its motion around the loop.
7. How does the principle of conservation of energy apply in this model?
8. The principle of conservation of energy is crucial in the model. It states that in the absence of external forces, the total mechanical energy of the object remains constant. This means that the sum of the gravitational potential energy (related to the object's height) and the kinetic energy (related to its speed) is constant. As the object ascends the loop, kinetic energy is converted into potential energy, slowing the object down. Conversely, as it descends, potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy, speeding the object up. The total energy at any point along the track is the same, if there are no frictional or other external non conservative forces.
9. What software or tools are used to create and run the Vertical Circular Loop Model simulations?
10. These types of simulations are frequently created with Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS), which allows for interactive models to be built and shared on various platforms such as websites, tablets, and computers. These models are typically accessed through embedded frames or downloadable files and can often be viewed on multiple devices through a web browser. Other tools mentioned in the source include Tracker Video Analysis and Modelling software for analyzing and modelling real world experiments.
11. Where can I find resources for learning more about the Vertical Circular Loop Model, and potentially explore related simulations?
12. The primary source lists a lot of resources, including blog entries, simulation files, worksheets, and links to several other interactive physics simulations. These resources include workbooks, credits, applets, and a variety of related JavaScript-based simulations covering topics including gravity, SHM, wave physics, and many others. The primary source also points to other learning resources such as nearpod, desmos, PHET interactive simulations.
13. What platforms are compatible with these types of Vertical Circular Loop Model simulations? These simulations built using Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS) are designed to be accessible across a wide range of devices and platforms. They are typically compatible with Windows, MacOSX, and Linux on both laptops and desktops, as well as Android/iOS devices, including handphones and tablets. This broad compatibility ensures that educators and students can use them regardless of their preferred device.
14. What is the licensing and usage information for these simulations?
15. The content provided is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License. For commercial use of the Easy JavaScript Simulation library, the source indicates to contact the developers directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and read https://www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki/Main/EJSLicense. The implication is that the software itself has specific licensing for commercial use separate from the open source educational materials produced by the community.