1. Double click on the Interactive Physics Demo icon.
2. Click on the Interactive Physics introduction box.
3. Open one of the files in the Demonstrations or Experiments folder.
The Interactive Physics universe will appear with tools for sketching on the left side and tape player controls on the bottom.
4. Click the 'RUN' button to start the experiment.
Stop by hitting any key or the mouse button.
5. Close the file and try another demonstration.
Feature Hints
• Double click on an object to see the dialog box which controls its specifications. Or use the Specs... item of the far right menu when a single object is highlighted.
• Drag the slider at the bottom left of the Interactive Physics window to sweep through frames of animation after an experiment has been run. Buttons on each side of this slider control single stepping and running.
• Page through different meter displays by using the Data menu when a single meter is highlighted.
• Turn on and vary Tracking found in the Experiment menu.
Features Disabled in the Demo Version
a. New object sketching is disabled.
b. All dialog boxes work, but most changes will not be accepted.
c. Dragging, resizing and rotating are restricted.
d. Meters and vectors may not be installed or changed.
What is Interactive Physics?
Interactive Physics is the first physics laboratory on the computer. Users create experiments by drawing objects on the screen. Interactive Physics brings these experiments to life with stunning animation. The number of experiments that can be performed is limited only by the imagination of educators and students.
Interactive Physics combines a simple user interface with a powerful engine that simulates the fundamentals of Newtonian Mechanics.
Benefits to Education
Teachers can immediately use Interactive Physics to demonstrate problems that were once static pictures in a book. Now they can try ‘what if’ scenarios and immediately see the results.
Teachers have also created interactive lessons using the computer as a laboratory. Students make predictions, run experiments, and immediately see their results. With Interactive Physics, the laboratory is safe, accessible, fast, and powerful.
Students who use Interactive Physics on their own must experiment with different alternatives. This leads to new questions in the student’s mind and thus to a deeper understanding of physics. Researchers have known for years that people learn best when they can compare, contrast and interact with concepts and ideas.
How Interactive Physics Works
Users create experiments by drawing on the computer screen with a mouse, just as they would with a paint or draw program. Springs, ropes, dampers, meters, and a variety of mass shapes are available. Pressing ‘RUN’ animates the experiment. Interactive Physics’ powerful simulation engine determines how objects should move while presenting a realistic movie of the experiment.
No programming is required. Experiments are defined by how teachers and students place objects. Friction and elasticity can be altered. Gravity can be changed or turned off. Just about any physical characteristic of an object can be controlled.
Availability
Interactive Physics is available for Macintosh computers directly from Knowledge Revolution and selected dealers. Interested educators can obtain additional information about Interactive Physics by contacting Knowledge Revolution at:
