NSF Logo
The Open Source Physics Project is supported by NSF DUE-0442581.

Computational Resources for Teaching

The OSP Collection provides curriculum resources that engage students in physics, computation, and computer modeling. Computational physics and computer modeling provide students with new ways to understand, describe, explain, and predict physical phenomena.

Simulations

OSP Simulations are compiled programs on specific topics. The models can be used for concept building, exploring physical systems that are not accessible otherwise, or as a basis for other student exercises.

Browse simulations

Featured Simulation

Featured OSP Resource

QM Wigner Program
The QM Wigner program displays the position-space wave function and the associated quasi phase space probability distribution using the Wigner function.
More...

Curriculum

OSP Curriculum packages combine computer simulations with tutorial materials and student worksheets. Packages can be modified to meet the needs of faculty and students

Browse curriculum resources by topic and learn how to customize packages

Featured Curriculum

Featured OSP Resource

Spins Package
The Spins package is a self-contained file for the teaching of measurement and time evolution of spin-1/2 systems in quantum mechanics.  The material focuses on single and multiple measurements of different ensembles of identically prepared spin-1/2 particles.
More...

EJS Modeling

Student modeling, the guided exploration of physical systems and concepts, is a powerful approach to engaged learning. Easy Java Simulations provides the computational tools for students and faculty to explore physics without the need for learning details of java programming.

Learn more about EJS

Featured EJS Model

Featured OSP Resource

Normal Modes on a Loaded String Model
The EJS Normal Modes on a Loaded String model displays the motion of a light string under tension between two fixed points.  The string is also loaded with N masses located at regular intervals.  The number of masses on the string can be changed via textboxes.
More...

Programming

Open Source Physics provides an extensive resources for computational physics and physics simulations. Included are:

  • An Eclipse environment for OSP
  • OSP Source Code Libraries
  • OSP best practices
  • Documentation

Access programming resources

Tools

OSP provides several general applications for physics teaching, student activities, and curriculum distribution. These are:

Upcoming OSP Events

What is Wrong? Finding (Intentional) Erros in E&M Simulations
Workshop on teaching with EJS-based E&M Simulations for Introductory Physics.
FL-AAPT Meeting
Nov 7, 2009

Incorporating Computation and Modeling into Physics Teaching
Workshop for New Physics and Astronomy Faculty
ACP, College Park, MD
November 13-15, 2009

SC 09: Educational Program
EJS, Pathways, and Digital Libraries Presentations
SC 09: International Conference on High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
Portland, OR
November 14-17, 2009

Open Source Physics Content Delivery: Computation, Curriculum, and Libraries
A presentation at the 2009 NSDL annual meeting on use and dissemination of OSP and EJS resources

Building a National Digital Library of Physics Simulations
Presentations by Wolfgang Christian and Francisco Esquembre at the
CCP2009 conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
December 2009

More events

Latest OSP Materials

Nov 6 Electric Field and Potential Model
Nov 6 Optics Interference: Ripple Tank Program
Nov 3 Foucault Rod Model
Nov 3 Ballistics and Orbits Model

Recent Library Material Comments

Oct 29 - 6:09 AM EST
Santiago Cabrera posted Thanks to the GR Kerr Wavefront Program thread.

Oct 25 - 6:59 AM EST
lookang posted Re: any idea how to... to the Faraday Disk Dynamo Model thread.


Recent Discussions

Nov 04 - 3:02 PM EST
Douglas Brown posted Setting Java preferen... to the Tracker on Snow Leopa... thread.

Nov 04 - 2:41 PM EST
Douglas Brown posted Re: Re: Do I need App... to the Apple QuickTime thread.