• We have written several Java simulations and `interactive pictures' as part of SimScience, the product of the NSF-MRA project Parallel Supercomputer Simulations for Education. Applets used in SimScience include:
  • Simplicial quantum gravity simulation (a fluid membrane).
  • Crystalline membrane simulation.
  • Spring model designed to help explain principles behind the more comples models.
  • Red blood cell `interactive picture'.
• Applets for inclusion in undergraduate courses, such as Science for the 21st Century, have been developed for the NSF-sponsored CCD - Course Curriculum Development project. Two Web-based interactive modules have been produced and can be viewed here.
  Specific examples of application of Java applets to simulate physical phenomena include:
  • Solar system simulator; and
  • Hopfield and Perceptron neural network simulators.
• Gravity Simulation - A simulation of Newtonian mechanics with gravity.
• Vector Cross-Product Tutorial - An interactive tutorial on the properties of the vector cross-product.
• Kinematics Tutorial - An interactive tutorial on the relationship between displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
• Twin Paradox Tutorial - An interactive tutorial on the Twin Paradox.
• The course Science and Computers, parts I (PHY307) and II (PHY308), uses applets to illustrate points in computational physics.Applets from Fall 97 include:
  • 2D Ising Model
  • Monte Carlo Simulation of a 2D Gas
  • Hopfield Neural Network
  • Oscillator Applet
  • Orbit Applet
  • Quantum Oscillator Applet
• Astronomy related applets include:
  • Epicycle and deferents demonstration showing the Ptolemaic Earth-centered cosmology using epicycles and deferents; and the synchronous rotation of the Moon.
  • Model of the solar system to show the scale of the solar system; and to illustrate Kepler's third (harmonic) law for the solar system and the Galilean satellites.

Most of these interactive visualizations use Java. You will require a Java enabled browser to use them.

Other helpers and plug-ins:

• MPEG and QuickTime
• Netscape plug-ins

• Virtual Reality Worlds for Astronomy - explore the universe in 3-D ! Worlds constructed for AST104, Spring 99. (Prof. Peter R. Saulson with students Rob Conde and Matt Quinn)
• VRML Gallery of Electromagnetism - which uses VRML to visualize the vector fields of electromagnetism. (Rob Salgado)
• A Light Cone rendered in VRML as part of The Light Cone tutorial on the theory of relativity. (Rob Salgado)

These interactive visualizations use VRML. You will require a VRML enabled browser to view them.