Computer Simulation Websites Favorites
PHYSICS
2
CHEMISTRY
6
BIOLOGY
12
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE
16
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN & NATURE OF SCIENCE
20
ELEMENTARY GENERAL SCIENCE COLLECTION
21
NOTE: You will need the following software to run these simulations:

Java Runtime Environment: http://www.java.com

Macromedia Flash Player: http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/

Macromedia Shockwave Player:
http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi
Special thanks to Curry graduate students Alison Baird, Katie Culbert, Matt Togna, Lara Smetana, Ian Binns,
Heather Banchi, Chris Schnittka, Jennifer Maeng and Linday Wheeler for their efforts in compiling this list of
simulations.
2
Physics
Energy Skate Park
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Energy_Skate_Park
Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude! Build tracks, ramps
and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and
friction as he moves. You can also take the skater to different planets or even
space!
Energy of Springs
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Masses_and_Springs
This simulation allows the students to change the friction and stiffness of the
spring as well as the mass on the end of the spring to observe the change in
energy. This shows kinetic, potential and thermal energy. The students can alos
change the gravity of the system.
Funderstanding Roller Coaster
http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/
This simulator is designed for kids who want to design their own thrilling
coaster and educators who want to use a cool activity to simulate the
application of physics by using an exciting interactive tool and access to a
wonderful reference source. It is your mission to design the coaster so that
you can achieve maximum thrills and chills without crashing or flying off the
track (unless that's how you like your coaster to work!).
Projectile Motion
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Projectile_Motion
Blast a Buick out of a cannon! Learn about projectile motion by firing various
objects. Set the angle, initial speed, and mass. Add air resistance. Make a game
out of this simulation by trying to hit a target.
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3
Mass, Force, & Acceleration
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/newton/index.html
Figure out how mass, force, and acceleration are related, and see if you can
write a rule.
Oscilloscope
http://www.colpus.me.uk/vplabd/?q=node/16
This simulation allows students to use an oscilloscope. This is a free sample
that must be downloaded and can be used offline.
Circuits
http://www.article19.com/shockwave/oz.htm
Build any circuit you like using batteries, switches, wires, resistors and light
bulbs. Measure the voltage and current using a voltmeter and ammeter. Or, refer
to one of the prescribed exhibits.
Voltage, Charges, and Energy in a Circuit
http://www.colpus.me.uk/vplabd/?q=node/16
This simulation allows students to determine the relationship between current,
voltage and resistance. The students can change either the resistance or voltage
and observe how the current changes. This is a free sample that must be
downloaded and can be used offline.
Conductivity
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Conductivity
This simulation allows the students to observe how changing the
conductivity of the material in the circuit will change the energy of the
electrons in the circuit.
Top of Collection
4
Coulomb’s Law
http://employees.oneonta.edu/viningwj/sims/coulombs_law_s.html
This simulation allows the students to explore Coulomb’s Law. The
students can move the ions, and the simulation will graph the force and
distance. The students can change the number of ions to see how the graph
changes.
Faraday’s Law
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Faradays_Electroma
gnetic_Lab
This simulation allows the students to explore Faraday’s Law and the
effect of a magnet on an electric field or coil. The students can measure
the magnetic field in different situations.
Radio Waves and Electromagnetic Fields
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phet/simulations/emf/emf.jnlp
Visualize the waves emanating from an electron oscillating on the broadcasting
antenna as well as the strength and direction of forces exerted on the charges.
Multiple representations of EM waves are presented.
Microwaves
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Microwaves
This simulation allows the students to observe what will happen to the
molecules and the temperature when microwaves are applied to the system.
Top of Collection
5
Elemental Spectra
http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/elements/Elements.html
In this interactive simulation, the Periodic Table is displayed, and as each
element symbol is clicked, the elemental line spectrum is displayed. The
lines of absorption or emission can be clicked by mouse to determine their
wavelengths.
Emission & Absorption
http://mc2.cchem.berkeley.edu/Java/
These simulations allow the students to observe the
difference between emission and absorption. The students
can change the amount of red, blue and green light being
emitted or absorbed.
Geometric Optics
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Geometric_Optics
This simulation allows the student to change the curvature radius, refractive
index and diameter. The students can see how moving the object will move
the reflection or change the size of the reflection.
Fourier: Making Waves
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phet/simulations/fourier/fourier.jnlp
Investigate the meaning of harmonics. Add harmonics of varying
amplitudes to create sound waves.
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6
Chemistry
The Mixtures Lab
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/mixture/mixture.html
Apply knowledge of physical properties to try your hand at separating the
substances in several mixtures.
Boiling Point Elevation and Freezing Point Depression
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/fla
shfiles/propOfSoln/colligative.html
This simulation allows the students to investigate what will happen to the
freezing point and boiling point of certain solvents when different solutes
are added. As the Kb, Kf, pure boiling point and pure freezing point, the
students can check the results mathematically.
Melting & Boiling Point
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/hotplate/index.html
Run an experiment to make heating curves for three different substances.
Then, read each curve to determine the substances’ melting and boiling
points.
Periodic Table and Electron Configurations
http://www.chemcollective.org/applets/pertable.php
Click on any element and the name, symbol, atomic number and atomic
mass are given. A graphical plot of electron configurations will be
displayed as well.
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7
Periodic Table, Isotopes, and Half-life
http://www.chemicalelements.com/
Click on an element symbol for more information, such as when it was
discovered.
Atomic Structure
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/atom/#
In this interactive simulation, an atom is built from the quark up. As up and
down quarks are combined to make protons or neutrons, they can be
dragged into the atomic structure and placed appropriately. Electrons can be
dragged and placed in the appropriate electron shell.
Atomic Models
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Models_of_the_Hydrogen_
Atom
In this simulation, particles are shot at a hydrogen atom. The experiment
shows what happens in real life. If you change to the experiment, you can test
how the Billiard Ball, Plum Pudding, Solar System, Bohr, deBroglie, and
Schrödinger models react when the particles are shot at the hydrogen atom.
Balancing Equations
http://funbasedlearning.com/chemistry/chembalancer/default.htm
This interactive game consists of 13 chemical equations that need
balancing. If you correctly balance each equation, you are rewarded with
interesting element factoids. If you do not balance the equation correctly,
you are prompted to try again. A student worksheet can be downloaded to
accompany this website.
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8
Chemical Equation Construction
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/kits/kit_chemical_equation.ht
ml
This simulation gives the students a reaction and the students must come
up with the chemical equation in words and then in symbols. The students
must then balance the equation and finally, determine the state of each of
the reactants and products.
Virtual Chemistry Lab
http://www.chemcollective.org/vlab/vlab.php
In this virtual chemistry lab, cabinets are opened full of chemicals and labware. Chemicals can be mixed together, heated, poured from one container to
another, and specific information about chemical properties is displayed. As
solutions are heated, you can see the pH values change. There is a very
helpful Help Menu. This is a professionally done site, funded by the National
Science Foundation.
Reactions and Rates
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Reactions_and_Rates
This simulation allows the students to see how they can put energy into the
system to overcome the activation energy. They can increase the
temperature as well as the number of molecules. There is also a timer
feature, so students can measure how long it takes for a reaction to occur,
and how the rate changes when the temperature is changed.
Acid-Base Titration
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/stoichio
metry/acid_base.html
This simulation allows the students to determine the acids and bases they will use in the
titration, as well as the indicator. The students can add the solutions in large portions
and dropwise. Once they have completed the titration, they can calculate the molarity of
the acid and check their answer.
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9
Redox Titration
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/redox
New/redox.html
This simulation allows students to perform a titration of Redox reactions. After
performing the titration with a known concentration of the oxidizing agent, they will
be able to calculate the concentration of the reducing agent, and then check their
answer.
Ideal Gas Law
http://intro.chem.okstate.edu/1314F00/Laboratory/GLP.htm
An effective tool to help students learn about all aspects of the ideal gas law.
One of the best web gas law simulations.
Boyle’s Law
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfil
es/gaslaw/boyles_law_graph.html
This simulation allows students to gather data on the volume and pressure of
a gas in the tube. Once the students have gathered this data, they can create a
graph to see how Boyle’s law is supported.
Charles’ Law
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfile
s/gaslaw/boyles_law_graph.html
This simulation allows students to gather data on the volume and pressure of a
gas in the tube. Once the students have gathered this data, they can create a
graph to see how Boyle’s law is supported.
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10
Gas Properties
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Gas_Properties
This simulation allows the students to set a constant parameter, either
volume, temperature or pressure, and then adjust one of the other
parameters and observe how the third parameter responds. The students
can also time the reaction or graph the kinetic energy and speed if the
molecules.
Electrolysis Simulation
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/
electroChem/electrolysis10.html
This simulations allows the students to explore how electrolysis works with
different metals, solutions, and voltages over time. The simulation allows the
students to see the movement of electrons and the change in mass of the metals.
Nuclear Fission
http://www.visionlearning.com/library/flash_viewer.php?oid=2391&mid=59
In this semi-interactive simulation, click a button to start the fission of an
atom of Uranium. It is interesting to note that the resulting daughter atoms
are not always the same. Restart this reaction over and over to observe the
varied outcomes.
Nuclear Fission
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Nuclear_Fission
Start a chain reaction, or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one.
Control energy production in a nuclear reactor! (Previously part of the Nuclear
Physics simulation - now there are separate Alpha Decay and Nuclear Fission
sims.)
The Law of Radioactive Decay
http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/lawdecay.htm
The law of radioactive decay predicts how the number of the not decayed
nuclei of a given radioactive substance decreases in the course of time.
The red circles of this simulation symbolize 1000 atomic nuclei of a
radioactive substance whose half-life period (T) amounts to 20 seconds.
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11
Spectrometer
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/prop
OfSoln/spec203.html
This simulation allows students to use a spectrometer without needing to have an
actual spectrometer. They can zero the spectrometer with distilled water, they can
change the wavelength and the molarity of the sample, and the can graph this data.
Sound***
A series of simulations and investigations related to sound.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/vtc-home/vtc-ks2-home/vtc-ks2science(2)/vtc-ks2-science-how_things_work/vtc-ks2-sciencehow_things_work-light_and_sound.htm
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12
Biology
Animal Cell Mitosis Animation
http://cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm
This animation demonstrates the stages of mitosis in an animal cell.
Descriptions of each stage and representative still frames are provided.
Enzymes
http://www.ngflcymru.org.uk/vtc/20050330/Biology/keystage4/enzymes/enzy
mesac/introduct/default.htm
Explore the role of enzymes. Determine the effects of
temperature and substrate concentration on enzyme activity.
The Virtual Transgenic Fly Lab
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/index.html
(click “Enter the lab....” at bottom of page)
Explore the Virtual Transgenic Fly Lab. The lab will familiarize you with
the science and techniques used to make transgenic flies. Transgenic
organisms, which contain DNA that is inserted experimentally, are used to
study many biological processes. In this lab, you will create a transgenic fly
to study circadian rhythms. The fly glows only when a certain gene involved
in circadian rhythms is activated. After making the glowing fly, you will use
it to explore basic principles of circadian biology and genetics.
DNA Workshop
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/dna/#
The DNA Workshop places you within the cell, involving you with the
processes of DNA replication and protein synthesis.
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13
Karyotyping Activity
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/activities/karyotyping/karyotypi
ng.html
This exercise is a simulation of human karyotyping using digital images of
chromosomes from actual human genetic studies. You will be arranging
chromosomes into a completed karyotype, and interpreting your findings just
as if you were working in a genetic analysis program at a hospital or clinic.
Karyotype analyses are performed over 400,000 times per year in the U.S.
and Canada. Imagine that you were performing these analyses for real
people, and that your conclusions would drastically affect their lives.
Owl Pellet Dissection
This virtual owl pellet dissection activity complements a real dissection activity.
Included is an introduction to owl pellets and how they are formed. Additional
owl information and resources are provided.
http://www.kidwings.com
Evolution
In the Evolution Game, students learn about natural selection and then apply
their knowledge by creating a population with favorable genetic modifications
that will allow it to survive.
http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.html
Owl Pellet, Squid, and Frog Dissection
http://www.froguts.com/flash_content/index.html
This commercial site offers owl pellet, squid, and frog dissection simulations. A
free owl pellet demonstration allows the student to click and drag bones from the
pellet to the outline of the vole. The name of each skeletal piece is provided. This
activity would be a good precursor to the actual dissection, which is a much
messier activity! Click “demos” to see the free portions of the site.
Fetal Pig Dissection
http://www.whitman.edu/biology/vpd/main.html
Not for the weak-kneed, this virtual dissection activity takes the student through
six body systems of the fetal pig. The images are clear and life-like, and the
student interacts by clicking through each step. The site also has quizzes for after
each section of the activity.
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14
The eSkeletons Project
http://www.eskeletons.org/
This interactive site allows participants to learn about skeletal anatomy
by viewing the bones of a human, chimpanzee, and baboon. The
Comparative Anatomy section enables users to make direct
comparisons.
Experimental Design & Plant Growth
Students conduct a virtual experiment to determine which factors will
allow a plant to go best. They measure the plant growth using a ruler
tool.
http://www.ngflcymru.org.uk/vtc/plants_light_water_to_grow/eng/Introduction/default.h
tm
Plant Life Cycle
Students explore stages of growth in the life cycle of both plants
and animals.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/vtc_-_life_cycles
SimForest
http://ddc.hampshire.edu/simforest/
Students can plant trees from a pool of over 30 regional species, set
environmental parameters such as rain fall, temperature, and soil conditions,
and watch the forest plot grow and evolve over many years.
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15
Biomes Visualization
http://www.forgefx.com/casestudies/prenticehall/ph/biomes/biomes
.htm
This 3D simulation lets you take part in an around-the-world
scientific expedition researching Earth's biomes. A biome is a
group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms. It is
mostly the climate—temperature and precipitation—in an area that
determines its biome. Examine the globe to see the worldwide
distribution of the biomes on our planet.
Sunny Medows - Food Chain Simulator
http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/game.php?game=foodchain%20
In this game, you set up a food chain of plants, rabbits and foxes within an
ecosystem. Then, the game will simulate 50 years of the changes in
populations within an ecosystem.
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16
Earth & Space Science
Interactive Rock Cycle
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0
602/es0602page02.cfm
Explore the various processes in the rock cycle. See how igneous,
metamorphic and sedimentary rocks change into one another in a subduction
zone setting.
Plate Tectonics
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tectonics/#
Move the oceanic and continental plates around and watch mountain building
and a volcanic eruption. A map of the continents shows where various plate
boundaries are.
Eclipses and Moon Phases
http://www.forgefx.com/casestudies/prenticehall/ph/eclipse/eclipses.htm
When the moon's shadow hits Earth or Earth's shadow hits the moon, an
eclipse occurs. This real-time 3D simulation of the Sun, Earth, and moon
explains lunar and solar eclipses, as well as the defined moon phases. The
student can manipulate the Sun, the Earth, and the moon into all of their
phases as well as view the phases from a variety of different perspectives.
Moon Phases
View the Earth-Moon system from space to explore and develop an
understanding of moon phases. This simulation is offered in both English and
Spanish.
http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/labs/moon/lunar_phases_main.html
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17
Solar System Simulator
http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/
Choose an object in our solar system, choose your viewing location and
date/time, and run this simulator to use your virtual telescope. This is a
highly interactive and interesting tool, as an independent variable can be
changed to observe the outcome.
Virtual Planetarium
http://www.stellarium.org/
Set your own observing position to explore the sky. Make observations and
investigate questions that would not be possible or feasible in a traditional
classroom setting.
Celestia
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
This free space simulation lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.
Celestia doesn't confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel
throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the
galaxy.
Virtual Earthquake
http://www.sciencecourseware.org/VirtualEarthquake/VQuakeExecute.html
Virtual Earthquake is an interactive computer program designed to
introduce you to the concepts of how an earthquake epicenter is located and
how the Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined.
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18
Make a Quake
http://tlc.discovery.com/convergence/quakes/interactives/makeaquake.html
Make a Quake is an interactive computer program designed to explain what kind of
damage occurs during an earthquake to various types of building structures depending
on how the building is reinforced and what type of foundation it is built upon.
Seismic Waves
http://www.forgefx.com/casestudies/prenticehall/ph/seismic/seismic
RT.htm
Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the
energy released during an earthquake. This real-time 3D application
allows users to create seismic waves of any magnitude and pass them
through a variety of terrains. The student can view the seismic
activity in the terrain through both a textured and wire frame view.
Seismic Waves
Explore the difference between S-waves and P-waves and the various layers of
the earth.
http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/labs/seismic/index.htm
Ocean Waves
http://www.forgefx.com/casestudies/prenticehall/ph/waves/waves.htm
Most waves form when winds blowing across the water's surface transmit
their energy to the water. This is a real-time 3D wave simulator which
demonstrates the connection between wind speed and ocean particle
motion depth. The student can modify the properties of an ocean wave
and see the effect from any perspective.
Glaciers
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Glaciers
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19
Adjust mountain snowfall and temperature to see the glacier grow and shrink. Use scientific tools to measure
thickness, velocity and glacial budget.
The Greenhouse Effect
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=The_Greenhouse_Effect
Just how do greenhouse gases change the climate? Select the level of
atmospheric greenhouse gases during an ice age, in the year 1750, today, or
some time in the future and see how the Earth's temperature changes. Add
clouds or panes of glass.
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20
Experimental Design & Nature of Science
The Science Pirates***
http://www.sciencepirates.com/
Join Captain Brownbeard aboard his pirate ship as you use experimental
design to find a scientific explanation for the mysterious curse that
plagues his crew. Students engage in developing hypotheses, designing
experiments, and manipulating variables, all in an appealing 3-D game
environment.
The Science-o-nator***
http://www.teacherlink.org/content/science/instructional/activities/myste
ryshapes/mysteryshapes.htm
Use indirect observations to infer which shape is hidden behind the
circle. This fun activity illustrates the role of inference and indirect
evidence in the construction of scientific knowledge.
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21
Elementary General Science Collection
Various
Interactive activities and resources aligned to FOSS kit activities.
http://www.fossweb.com/
Various
A collection of interactive activities about: living things,
materials, and physical processes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/
Seasons
This Seasons activity provides an opportunity for students to practice
scientific process skills (observing, questioning, sorting recording) while
learning about seasonal change and the effect different weather conditions
on the environment and living things.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/seasons/eng/Introduction/default.htm
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