Physlets Beyond Mechanics

Paul W. Zitzewitz

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Michigan AAPT April 1, 2000

Physlets are

Physics applets developed by Wolfgang Christian, Davidson College
simple and small, dealing with only one aspect of a physics problem
flexible and can be scripted using javascript
written in java for the web--almost platform-independent
free for academic use

Physlet Pedagogy

Conceptual understanding is enhanced by a number of interactive engagement methods.
Physlets can provide media-focused problems that require interaction with the applet.
Physlet problems can require expert-like solution strategy.

Physlet Examples

Animator
Electric fields
Solution to Poisson’s equation
Circuits--dc and ac
Magnetic fields
Faraday’s law
Electromagnetic waves
Blackbody radiation

Doppler effect
Wave superposition
Sound waves
Optical bench
Eigenvalue solutions
Kinetic-molecular model
Hydrogenic wavefunctions
Data graphing