Physics Virtual Lab, PVL Short Description:
At least 167 Intuitively-Easy-To-Use Physics simulators for teaching & learning
Physics Virtual Lab, PVL Long Description:
An Intuitively Easy-To-Use collection of -at least- 167 interactive Physics simulation modules that allow the user
to simulate and visualize Physics experiments.
Useful from High School to University.
PVL may be used:
(1) during classes, to support the teacher's explanation and to make classes more interesting,
(2) In the physics lab, during experiment sessions.
(3) in the library by students, to review the topics covered in classes
(4) at home, students run experiments with their own data.
The teacher may also use the PVL to prepare classes and assign research tasks.
In a traditional Physics lab it is impossible to execute experiments with extreme parameters, for instance it is
impossible to shot a gun, because it is dangerous, it is impossible to make changes in the acceleration of gravity,
it is not possible to carry out experiments in "Slow Motion" or to settle a "time freezing".
The PVL overcomes all these drawbacks.
PVL Features .-
-Experiment pause (Time freezing): introduuces a pause in the execution of an experiment, usually a pause is used
to display vectors (forces, velocities, etc)
-Slow Motion: executes an experiment slowlly enough for the user to appreciate the behaviour of the system.
-Experimentation with extreme parameters: Allows experimentation with parameters that if used in real life would produce
damage to the equipment or harm the user.
-Visualization of vectors: Usually when thhe pause button is pressed some vectors are displayed. (forces, velocities, accelerations, etc)
-Lab guides to run experiments are includeed.
Using the screen as a blackboard.-
In many experiments the user is free to use the screen as a blackboard: the user may place vectors, blocks, masses, etc wherever
he/she wants on screen, and as many as space allows for. This allows comparative teaching and learning, since the user is allowed to
see several instances of an experiment simultaneously. <>