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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

STP Percolation Program
The STP Percolation program generates occupied lattice sites for a given probability and determines the clusters of occupied sites. This program demonstrates properties of percolation, especially near the geometric phase transition, and is part of a group of  simulations for Statistical and Thermal Physics.
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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

Phase Matters Package
The Phase Matters package is a self-contained file for the teaching of phase and time evolution in quantum mechanics.  The material focuses on when and how, for arbitrary quantum-mechanical states, the phase of the wave function matters.
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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

Platform on Two Rotating Cylinders Model
The Ejs Platform on Two Rotating Cylinders model displays the model of a platform resting on two equal cylinders are rotating with opposite angular velocities.  There is kinetic friction between each cylinder and the platform.    The separation between the cylinders and the coefficient of kinetic friction can be changed via textboxes.
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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

Physlets and EJS Modeling
Presentation: Two-Year College Teachers, TYC New Faculty Workshop, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
July 25, 2008.

Easy Java Simulations: From Free Fall to Chaos
Workshop as part of the "Taste of Technology"
AAPT Meeting Ann Arbor, Michigan
July 26, 2009

Building a National Digital Library of Physics Simulations
Talks and workshop as part of the
CCP2009 conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
December 2009

More events

Latest OSP Materials

Jun 27 Function Visualizer Model
Jun 27 The Open Source Physics Computational Physics-Education Digital Library Collection
Jun 26 Faraday Loop Model
Jun 26 E x B Trajectory Model

Recent Library Material Comments

Jun 18 - 11:50 AM EST
wee lookang posted is the file incomple... to the EM Radiation Program thread.