NPAC Technical Report SCCS-792
Java Simulations for Physics Education
Simeon Warner, Simon Catterall, Edward Lipson
Submitted May 1 1997
Abstract
Java simulations for physics education
We discuss the use of World Wide Web-based Java simulations in teaching
physics to K-12 and undergraduate students. Our work focuses on the
physics of membranes and illustrating how such systems are studied.
We propose that Java should be used not only to produce small versions
of research simulations but also to provide models illustrating simpler
concepts underlying the main subject matter. In particular, applets
should be tailored to the context in which they appear and should be
as intuitive to use as possible. The applets we are developing are
described in the context of current client performance. We also highlight
the development of collaborative systems as an area of particular interest.