Collection of Simulation Websites
What you might need to run these simulations:
Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer
http://www.java.com
Macromedia Flash Player installed on your computer
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/
Macromedia Shockwave Player installed on your computer
http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi
Physics
Interactive Simulations
Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/rutherford/
In this interactive simulation of the classic Rutherford experiment,
the slit width can be increased. As alpha particles collide with the
gold nuclei, they deflect from their path and impact various places
on the zinc sulfide screen.
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.
Shadows
http://www.molecularexpressions.com/primer/java/scienceoptics
u/shadows/index.html
Moving the slider to the right causes the sun to rise to its apogee
in this interactive shadow simulation. The shadows of the meter
stick and the dinosaur shorten, and the mathematical ratio
demonstrates how shadow length can be used to determine
height.
Brownian Motion
http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_
stuff/Applets/brownian/brownian.html
In this simulation of Brownian motion, you can stop
and start the random motions of the red gas
molecules, or reset the position of the blue dust
particle. On the left you see a microscopic view of
the dust particle and its trail of motion. On the right
is a simulation of the gas molecule-dust interactions. It is confusing that as one dust particle
leaves the field of view, another enters.
Ball and Ramp Simulation
http://elis.ucles-red.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/ballramp/ball-ramp.html
Select your ramp, select the type of gravity, and watch a
ball roll down. Observe the graph which shows
displacement over time. Unfortunately, the graph only
shows the first five seconds of any motion.
Pendulums
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/galileo/
This website about Galileo has many different activities. Click
on “Pendulums” for this interactive simulation. You observe and
measure the period of different pendulums, then use this
information to see how the law relating a pendulum’s period and
length was determined.
Newtonian Mountain
http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/more_stuff/Applets/newt/
newtmtn.html
Fire the cannon and watch the red ball. Move the slider to the right to
increase the initial velocity of the cannon ball. With enough velocity,
the ball will go into orbit, as described by Newton.
Michelson-Morley Experiment
http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlet
s/mmexpt6.htm
This interactive simulation recreates what Michelson and
Morley expected in their famous experiment to detect the ether
wind. You can change the orientation of the apparatus, the
velocity of the “light”, and the velocity of the “ether”. There are
some errors in the programming of this simulation. At high
speeds of light and zero ether wind, the results are not as one would expect.
Non-Interactive Simulations
Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction
http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/kap13/cd372.htm
A wave approaches a boundary, and it might reflect off that
boundary, refract through it, or diffract through the slit in it.
This simulation provides the student with a way to study and
observe these three wave phenomena.
Chemistry
Interactive Simulations
Chem Balancer
http://www.emsb.qc.ca/laurenhill/science/balance/
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.
Acids and Bases
http://www.echalk.co.uk/Science/chemistry/universalIndicator/u
niversalIndicator.html
These two interactive guess-and-check games familiarize the
student with the pH values of various common chemicals. The
first game introduces the pH values and the second one tests the
student. You can drag the flasks over to the indicator field,
which helps you guess the chemical’s pH, or click the “show
pH” button for all the answers.
Phase Changes
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/index.cfm?s=1&m=402&p=141,view_
resource&id=9
In this simulation, you click a button to increase the heat
applied to a beaker with an ice cube in it. As you repeatedly
click the heat button, a temperature-time graph is displayed.
There are some aspects of this simulation that are misleading.
Time may stop on the graph, but the red molecules continue to
vibrate. It looks like the heat continues to transfer to the ice, but the ice stops melting halfway
through its course. After the ice becomes a liquid, it boils and boils without a reduction in
volume.
Periodic Table
http://chemmac1.usc.edu/java/ptable/ptable.html
In this activity, you click on an element in the Periodic Table
and bar graphs are displayed showing various trends in both
the group and the period that the element is in. Trends in the
atomic mass, atomic radius, density of the element, and more
can be viewed. The atomic mass is incorrectly referred to as
“weight”.
Atom Builder
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. In this way, heavier atoms are constructed, and if you keep the
atom stable, it may become carbon. This is a very engaging instructional tool.
Virtual Chemistry Lab
http://www.chemcollective.org/vlab/vlab.php
In this virtual chemistry lab, cabinets are opened full of
chemicals and lab-ware. 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.
Acids and Bases
http://michele.usc.edu/java/acidbase/acidbase.html
In this acid/base titration activity, you add specific amounts
of an HCl, NaOH, or a buffer. This activity is confusing, as
there are no instructions or definitions of the terms used.
Marble Chips in Acid
http://elis.uclesred.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/marble/marble.html
Choose the number of marble chips you place in this acid bath…
choose the strength of the acid too. This simulation records the mass
of the marble pieces over time and graphs the results for you.
Electrolysis Simulation
http://elis.uclesred.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/electrolysis/electrolysi
s.html
Wow! Choose an electrolyte, and ramp up the voltage on
this electrolysis simulation. Listen to the gases bubble up
and collect. When you’re ready to, test the gas with one
of several available methods. Watch the graph unfold
showing gas volume vs. time.
Non-Interactive Simulations
Reactive Metals in Water
http://library.thinkquest.org/11430/experimental/metals.htm
Calcium, potassium and magnesium can be observed reacting with
water in these three simulations. The sound effects are rather
interesting, adding an element of surprise to this virtual
observation.
Nuclear Fission
http://www.visionlearning.com/library/flash_viewer.php?oid
=2391&mid=59
In this semi-interactive simulation, you click a button to start
the fission of an atom of Uranium. What’s interesting is that
the resulting daughter atoms are not always the same. Restart
this reaction over and over, observing how varied the
outcomes are.
Nuclear Chain Reactions
http://www.visionlearning.com/library/flash_viewer.php?oid=274
6&mid=59
Select the uncontrolled chain reaction to watch the slow-motion
depiction of how released neutrons create more episodes of
fission at an exponential rate. This is an excellent use of
technology.
Biology
Interactive Simulations
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.
Frog Dissection
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/frog/
This simulation can be either a tutorial for actually
dissecting a frog, or a virtual replacement. There are quizzes,
and audio and video are both available. The simulation
proceeds clearly, step-by-step. The images are fuzzy with
low resolution.
Rabbit Genetics
http://elis.uclesred.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/rabbits/rabbits.html
Breed pure white and black rabbits to create offspring.
Remove rabbits through the “escape door”, then try crossbreeding offspring you’ve put in little cages below. You
can keep notes on each rabbit you breed.
Water Weed Experiment
http://elis.ucles-red.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/elodea/elodea.html
A weed is in water and you can change the light source, the light
intensity, and the carbon dioxide level in the water. This interactive
simulation lets you run many trials, counting the number of oxygen
bubbles the water weed produces in a set period of time. This is a good simulation to use when
demonstrating the difference between independent and dependent variables.
Non-Interactive Simulations
Plant Thigmonasty
http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~rhangart/plantmotion/mo
vements/nastic/nastic.html
This video shows the thigmonasty (response to touch) of a
mimosa leaf. The site has a clearly written description of
the phenomena.
Plant Nutational Movements
http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~rhangart/plantmotion/movements/
nastic/nastic.html
This video shows the nutational movements (rotational hunting) of
Morning Glory plants. It is a time-lapse video, and the rotational
movements of the plant are striking.
Plant Response to Light
http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~rhangart/plantmotion/movements/leafm
ovements/clocks.html
In this time-lapse video, the Oxalis plant is seen responding to light with
its own biological clock.
Golgi Apparatus Animation
http://www.johnkyrk.com/golgiAlone.html
Watch proteins being synthesized and then transported to
the Golgi apparatus. This animation is clearly explained as
each step in the process ensues.
Meiosis Animation
http://www.johnkyrk.com/meiosis.html
Watch each step in the meiosis of an animal cell.
Explanations are provided along the way.
Non-Interactive Simulations
Waves of Destruction
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/animations/tsunami/in
dex.html
Watch how an earthquake out at sea can cause a tsunami on
land. This simulation shows plate subduction.
Earth Science
Interactive Simulations
Water Cycle
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/cont
ent/visualizations/es0105/es0105page01.cfm?chapter_no
=visualization
Click on each step in water cycle process for information
and possible “next steps”.
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.
Make a Quake
http://dsc.discovery.com/unsolvedhistory/earthquake/interactive/interact
ive.html
Choose the soil, the structure type, the quake magnitude, and then start
the earthquake. Will your building withstand the forces? This
interactive simulation provides information about why earthquakes can
be devastating. You’ll want to try it several times to observe how
changing one variable can affect the outcome drastically.
Technology
Interactive Simulations
Energy Use
http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Work/index.html
Choose the appliances you use and type in the number of hours
each is typically used in a day. This annual energy bill calculator
displays information about the cost per kilowatt-hour for each
appliance and sums up the annual bill.
Non-Interactive Simulations
Fuel Cells
http://www.microscopy.fsu.edu/primer/java/fuelcell/index.html
Change the speed of this simulation and watch hydrogen and
oxygen react to create electricity in this fuel cell. This is not a very
interactive simulation, but it provides a clear visual explanation of
the process.
Space Science
Interactive Simulations
Phases of the Moon
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/java/MoonPhas
e.html
This simulation promotes misconceptions in
science. The scale is erroneous and not clearly
stated as such. The moon goes through an eclipse
each month, and the phase numbers are misleading.
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.
Phases of Venus
http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlets/
PhasesofVenus.htm
From a vantage point somewhere in space outside of Venus’s
orbit, watch how Venus has phases much like the moon. There is
a button to click that makes the proportions more to scale. Click
and drag anywhere in space to change the viewing orientation.
This is a fun simulation to play with.
Non-Interactive Simulations
Moon Phases
http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/lunar/Lunar_plugin.html
While this simulation is interesting to watch, it contains a blatant error in that the small image of
the moon, as seen revolving around the earth, does not rotate on its axis.
Lunar Eclipse
http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashle
ts/eclipse3.htm
Click play or pause to start and stop this lunar eclipse
simulation. The simulation falls short in two ways: the objects
are not to scale and this fact is not indicated, plus the earth view
in the black box doesn’t realistically depict the way a total lunar
eclipse appears as indirect light from the sun filters through the
earth’s atmosphere.
The Sidereal and Synodic Months
http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/astronomy
/sidereal.html
This animation demonstrates the difference between the sidereal
and synodic months. The image is not to scale, but id does a
good job demonstrating the difference anyway.
Nature of Science
Interactive Simulations
What Killed the Dinosaurs?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/extinction/dinosaurs
/
Explore one of four theories explaining the extinction of
the dinosaurs by viewing 12 animations simulating the
evidence backing up each theory. This is a well done site.
Electron Microscopy Interactive
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/electronmicroscopy/magnify1/i
ndex.html
Watch how technology can impact the ability to make observations with this electron microscope
simulation. Zoom in on the fine details of one of 14 samples provided by Florida State
University’s popular Molecular Expressions website.
Powers of Ten
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/
Zoom in on the universe in this amazing simulation which takes you from
the outer reaches of the universe to the inner dimensions of an atom.
Stepping Feet Illusion
http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_feet_lin/index.html
Science is subjective, as is seen in this optical illusion. Are the
yellow and blue blocks moving in step, or are they gliding
fluidly? Modify the background of this animation to find out.
Motion Induced Blindness
http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_mib/index.html
Now you see them, now you don’t. This optical illusion demonstrates
the limits of human vision as interpreted by the human brain. Slow
down and speed up this animation.