Simulating the Atom and Nucleus [undergoing transformations]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations.  

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving the atom and the nucleus.

Shine a Light [Photoelectric Effect] at PhET

Using PhET's Photoelectric Effect, investigate the nature of the photoelectric effect and determine the work function of an unknown metal. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Radioactive Speed Dating [Radiometric Dating] at PhET

Using PhET's Radioactive Dating Game sim, correctly estimate the age of the various virtual objects (skulls, rocks, etc.) using the principles of radiometric dating

This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Simulating Light and Optics [undergoing transformations]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations.

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving light and optics.

Pixel Peeping [Color Mixing] at PhET

Using PhET's Color Mixing sim, use a magnifier to examine the pixels of a computer display and see how the display’s colors are created. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Fun With Colors [Color Mixing] copy from my Google Drive

I used this activity as an extension of Pixel Peeping. No magnifier required.

Fringe of Optics [Interference] at PhET

Using PhET's Wave Interference sim, construct the mathematical relationship describing interference patterns. 

Simulating Waves and Sound [undergoing transformations]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations.  

Once upon another time, Pasco Scientific produced and developed an application called DataStudio. It's primary purpose was to monitor and process data from Pasco's sensors. But it also had a sound creation and monitoring capability called Waveport. Pasco reimagined its data processing software when it developed Capstone and Spark. Data monitoring was improved. But sound capabilities were left behind. I was a big fan of Waveport and have yet to find a suitable replacement.

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving waves and sound. 

Water Waves in an Electric Sink [Mechanical Waves] on Teachers Pay Teachers
Originally developed using PhET's original Wave Interference sim, this now can now also use PhET's Waves Intro sim. I use this as a classroom activity. At certain points during the period, I will interrupt the students with discussions of what they've learned so far. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

High Quiet Low Loud [Sound Waves] on Teachers Pay Teacher

Using PhET's Waves Intro sim, investigate the differences between high and low sounds and loud and quiet sounds in terms of wave properties.

Wah-Wahs and Touch-Tones [Beats and Superposition] copy from my Google Drive

This activity was built around Pasco's DataStudio Waveport interface. That software has been discontinued. I was able to continue using it in Mac OS X 10.14 Mojave, but 10.15 Catalina won't run it. So macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey are no go, too. If you know of something that matches its functionality and still works, let me know in the comments. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Simulating Electricity and Magnetism [undergoing transformation]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations. 

Original John Travoltage was more fun than HTML5 John Travoltage, in my experience. The audio seemed to be a sample from John Travolta, himself. Over-charging John resulted in a quirky form of corona discharge. Most importantly, it was possible to sustain a maximum-length discharge indefinitely. Good times. Oh, well.

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving electricity and magnetism.

Greased Lightning [Charging and Discharging] at PhET

Using PhET's John Travolage sim, determine the likelihood of getting a “carpet shock” (based on controllable variables), and to avoid or produce such shocks under a series of challenging conditions. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Quest for the Coulomb Cup [Electric Fields] at PhET

Using PhET's Electric Field Hockey sim, use a simulation to gain a sense of the vector nature of the electric field and the consequence of the inverse square law that governs electrostatic force by completing a series of game-like challenges. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Lectric Plates [Uniform Electric Fields] at PhET

Using PhET's Capacitor Lab sim, vary the variables that affect the electric field between charged paltes and see what happens.

Two-Plate Special [Capacitance] at PhET

Using PhET's Capacitor Lab sim, learn the characteristics and relationships that govern parallel-plate capacitors.

Batteries & Bulbs [Circuits] at Teachers Pay Teachers

Using PhET's Circuit Construction Kit *DC) sim, explore various arrangements for delivering energy from the battery to the bulbs, and how some arrangements compare with the others. [This was written during the pandemic to emulate an existing in-person lab activity.]

Faraday's Electromagnetic Lab [Electromagnetism] at PhET

Using PhET's Faraday's Electromagnetic Lab sim, manipulate simulated magnets, compasses, and coils to see how magnetic fields interact with electric currents. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Simulating Fluids and Heat [undergoing transformations]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations.  

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving fluids and heat.

Pool Cubes: Density [Density] at PhET

This was developed with PhET's original Density sim. The Density sim has since been updated to HTML5. I have not yet tested the activity instructions on the updated sim. In any case... In this activity, students rank items by mass, size, density, and to determine a density-based rule for floatation. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Pool Cubes: Buoyancy [Buoyancy] at PhET [Unavailable pending simulation update.]

This was developed with PhET's original Buoyancy sim. The Buoyancy sim is being updated to HTML5. I have not yet tested the activity instructions on the updated sim. In any case... Investigate the nature of the buoyant force and to see the role it plays in determining whether or not an object floats. The ability to use a variety of objects in the liquid and to vary the density of the liquid makes a number of scenarios possible. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Bouncing Off the Walls [Kinetic Theory] at PhET

This was developed with PhET's original Gas Properties simulation. When the sim was updated to HTML5, the since model changed. Adiabatic heating still happens under compression, but adiabatic cooling no longer occurs under expansion. Using PhET's Gas Properties sim, control and observe the behavior of gas particles (atoms or molecules) as modeled in a simulation to investigate properties of gas such as temperature and pressure. 

Simulating Motion and Forces [undergoing transformations]

The PhET program at the University of Colorado/Boulder has been making quality simulations since the 1990s. I don't recall the exact details of when I started crafting activities around them. But I know I chose to work PhET-based activities into my Conceptual Science lab manuals because I could count on them being universally accessible, free of charge.

When PhET ported its legacy Flash and Java sims into HTML5, some characteristics of the sims changed. Some of the changes broke some of the activities I had written for the original simulations. 

In the case of Projectile Motion, my activity requirements forced me to use a different online simulation: Galileo and Einstein by University of Virginia's Physics Department.

In the case of My Solar System PhET is in the process of upgrading the sim to HTML5 as of this writing. So this alternative was found. (Hat tip: Dan Burns.)

Here are the activities I've written for sims involving motion and forces.

Motivating the Moving Man [Graphical Kinematics] at Teachers Pay Teachers

Using PhET's Moving Man sim (CheerpJ Java as of this writing), investigate motion graphs by manipulating a simulated on-screen “moving man.” The simulation produces graphs representing the motion of the man. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Dodge Nitro Jump [Free Fall Algebraic Kinematics] at Teachers Pay Teachers

This currently uses Galileo and Einstein's Projectile Motion Applet. As of this writing, PhET's HTML5 Projectile Motion simulation limits initial speeds to 30 m/s, which is too slow for this activity.

Tavurvur Erupts [Projectile Motion] at Teachers Pay Teachers

This currently uses Galileo and Einstein's Projectile Motion Applet. As of this writing, PhET's HTML5 Projectile Motion simulation limits initial speeds to 30 m/s, which is too slow for this activity.

Pushing Things Around [Newton's Second Law] at Teachers Pay Teacher

Using PhET's Force and Motion: Basics sim, investigate the relationship between force and motion using the “Forces and Motion: Basics” PhET simulation. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

The Laws of Attraction [Universal Gravitation] at Teachers Pay Teachers

Using PhET's Gravity Lab sim, investigate the quantitative nature of gravitational attraction. This activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.

Worlds of Wonder [Orbital Mechanics] at Teachers Pay Teachers

PhET's My Solar System sim is not operational as of this writing. Using this Open Stax My Solar System alternative, use a simulation to study the orbital mechanics of a simplified solar system. A version of this activity is included in the Conceptual Physics 12th edition lab manual at Pearson.