Virtual Physics Labs
Home Up Application of Physics Virtual Physics Labs

 

Please find below a collection of links to selected interactive virtual physics labs found on the web, thanks to the hard work and generosity of a number of "friends" of physics. These virtual labs are great for use before labs and also as a review of some of the general concepts learnt in class and in the lab.  Virtual Physics labs are now readily available for sale as supplements to textbook to provide a visual and interactive component. One such package can be obtained at http://www.virtualdynamicssoft.com. Please make full use of these valuable resources. Additional labs will be added as I come across good ones on the web. Have fun!

Mechanics

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The Micrometer :This is a virtual micrometer that allows you to learn and practice using  a micrometer (Ron Blond 1955 -2015, Thanks for your great work!)

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The Vernier Caliper :This is a virtual vernier caliper for learning and practicing the use of the vernier caliper (Ron Blond 1955 -2015)

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Motion with constant acceleration:

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Vector addition: This applet is a simulation of the Vector Addition lab at CCSU

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Vector addition: this site has a feature for adding up vectors and other advanced vector operations

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Resultant force (vector addition)

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Projectile motion: This is great for both lab and class

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Projectile motion: This is another very nice simulation from PhET. Excellent for both class and lab

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Energy Conservation: Another nice PhET simulation

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Conservation of Linear Momentum: you can experiment with linear momentum conservation here (elastic and inelastic collisions)

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Buoyant forces (Archimedes Principle): experiment with forces acting on a body  partially or completely submerged in a fluid. You can vary liquid density etc.

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PhET Site:This site from which the Energy Conservation link is from, contains a number of useful interactive simulations for Physics, Chemistry, Math etc.

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Uniform Circular motion: This applet shows relationship between a harmonic oscillator and uniform circular motion

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Simple Pendulum (SHM)

bullet Motion of a Spring (SHM)
bullet Standing Waves: This applet shows reflected waves forming standing waves (Walter Fendt's collection)
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Longitudinal Waves:Applet that show reflected waves with options for open and closed ends (Walter Fendt's collection)

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Resonance  : a nice interactive simulation from ophysics.com 

Electricity & Magnetism, Light
 
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Electric Fields: This is a nice interactive site that allows you to simulate electric field lines, equipotential lines etc for various charge distributions.

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Charges and Fields (PhET): interactive charges, fields, potentials etc

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Balloons and Electrostatics (PhET): simulation of and example of the electrostatic charging process.

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Millikan Oil Drop Experiment: Simulation of Millikan's experiment that showed that charge is quantized

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Circuits (PhET): Circuit building applet - Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's rules etc

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Circuits 2: A nice simulation for learning series, parallel circuits etc

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Capacitors: This applet is for addition of capacitors in series and in parallel

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RC Circuit: an applet by Pearson Publishing

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Potentiometer This applet simulates the potentiometer, great for both lab and class

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Wheatstone Bridge : A nice applet, may be used in both class and lab

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Magnetic Field of a bar magnet: interactive animation of magnetic fields of a bar magnet using a compass.

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Magnetic Field of a straight Current carrying wire: interactive animation of the magnetic fields due to a straight current carrying wire.

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D.C. Motor:  a simulation of a DC motor.

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Generator  

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Lenz's Law

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Faraday's law: A simulation of lab demo

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Faraday's Law (PhET)  : Comprehensive simulations of Faraday's law

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Virtual Oscilloscope: This is a very nice simulation of an oscilloscope. Double clicking on any part gives detailed descriptions functions.

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LRC Circuit: This from a collection of applets by C. K. Ng

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 A.C. Circuits: interactive animation of AC circuits of a resistor, capacitor and an inductor.

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Electromagnetic Spectrum A pictorial view of EM spectrum from MicroWorlds

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 Refraction of light A nice interactive simulation that shows refraction of light from one medium to another

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Refraction of Light: A nice interactive simulation from PhET

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 Reflection and Refraction (Explanation using Huygens' principle)

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Fiber Optics  : simulation of total internal reflection in

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 Mirrors and Lenses This site has a nice interactive lenses,  and  mirrors simulations with numerical values for image/object positions as well as magnification  

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Lenses and Mirrors  This is a PhET simulation of lenses

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 Young's Double Slit: another nice applet from Walter Fendt's collection. It is an interactive simulation of the double slit experiment.

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Dispersion of light : Applet showing dispersion of light through a prism

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LC Oscillator:  This simulates and LC Oscillato, from javalab.org    

General use resources
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Units converter: This simulations allows you to convert all kinds of physical units. Please make sure you know how to convert units and then use this simulation for routine work

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Calculators: This is a link to www.calculator.com which has a number of online calculators.

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Resistance color code calculator: A site for learning how to read the color code of resistors, among other electronic related stuff.

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Quadratic equation solver: This site (www.math.com) has a quadratic equation solver plus more math tools.

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Quadratic function: Applet shows how the various parameters affect the quadratic function

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Speed of Sound in air:  This gives the speed of sound in air as a function of temperature

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Densities of common substances