Physlet Physics: Interactive Illustrations, Explorations and Problems for Introductory Physics
"Looking for a visual, interactive, and technological way to teach about physics that will make it easier for students to understand even the most complicated concepts? Physlets is a powerful collection of Java applets that create simulations for most topics in physics. Envelope-pushing programming, giving these applets unparalleled breadth and flexibility, makes Physlets a truly unique and engaging tool." — Excerpt from the2002 MERLOT Award for Exemplary Online Learning Resources"Physlets present virtual experiments, like shooting a ball across a room, that are very much like what you do in a physical lab. Physlets permit students to take measurements of the variables like time and distance, and see how changes in variables produce different results. They challenge students to figure out what we mean by terms like 'velocity' rather than just calculating it from a formula. As students succeed with the exercises, they internalize the concepts much more deeply." — Patricia E. Allen,Appalachian State University"Physlets can be used to support almost the entire undergraduate physics curriculum, as well as many graduate topics. Their flexibility is one of their most important and unique strengths." — Bruce Mason,University of Oklahoma,Editor of MERLOT/Physics, and Director of the Physical Sciences Resource Center"Physlets represent an additional tool available for training students in using the scientific method through quantitative reasoning, analytical thinking, problem solving, and arguing from evidence. They emphasize the imparting of skills aver the delivery of knowledge. They are definitely at the appropriate level for both our algebra and calculus-based courses. I believe Physlets have the potential to become a most helpful tool in the coming years." — Cornelius Bennhold,George Washington University"I think that Physlet Physics will have broad applicability at many levels of introductory courses and across many textbooks. I predict it will be a 'hit'!" — Steve Mellema,Gustavus Adolphus College"Physlet Physics and the accompanying CD-ROM provide an extremely effective vehicle to deliver Physlet 'virtual laboratories' in both hard-copy and relatively trouble-free 'media' modes thus eliminating some of the difficulties using entirely 'wired' (web) deliveries. This makes it easier for professors and students to let Physlets do what they do best-aid in solidification of the qualitative and quantitative conceptual relationships that the known physical laws and mathematics have with the inner workings of the universe we live in arid explore." — Edward F. Deveney,Bridgewater State College