Re: [Phys-l] Interactive Physics -- liberation?

[Philip Keller <PKeller@holmdelschools.org>]

> I've never had or used Interactive Physics, but this sounds fairly similar to
> OpenSource Physics.
> http://www.opensourcephysics.org/
>
> Does this do what the group is looking for?
>
> Paul Lulai

I looked at opensource.  It seems that there are a lot of nice simulations available.  But I don't think it matches the best thing about Interactive Physics:  how easily you can create simulations on your own with no programming skills required.  It is so easy that you can actually create experiments on the fly in response to student questions.  For example, I recently was going over the problem where an Atwood machine is released from rest and it runs until the heavier mass hits the ground.  You are asked to find the peak height reached by the lighter mass.  Yes, it's just a freefall problem tacked on to the end of a typical Atwood problem, but a few of my students were just not seeing it.  It took me not even a minute to create a functional simulation that we could then run in slow motion to discuss what was happening.  

Also, it takes about 15 minutes of instruction to get students to the point where they can create their own simulations, which I can tell you they LOVE doing.  

Later today, I think my IT guys are going to install something on my computer that will let me post a tutorial ("Jing"?).  I'll show how to create the Atwood machine.  Also, I made a ballistic pendulum yesterday (took about 8 minutes).  I'll post that one too.

And since I am gushing about this software, let me say that I have no financial relationship with the company.  (Although back when it was owned by Knowledge Revolution, I let them use some of my simulations on their product CD and they sent me a T-shirt.)