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.

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Featured Simulation

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 Packages

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 Package

Copernican Revolution
A shared file folder of Astronomy models designed for a course on the Copernican Revolution.  In this course students explore the history of astronomy from the Ancient Greeks to Isaac Newton.  Astronomical theories are studied in some detail and evaluated based on their success or failure at reproducing astronomical observations.  The EJS simulations in this folder allow students to actively engage with the astronomical theories and visualize the apparent motions predicted by each theory.

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

Newton’s Mountain Model
The EJS Newton's Mountain model illustrates the motion of a projectile launched from the top of a VERY tall mountain on Earth. The diagram shown in the simulation is taken from Newton's A Treatise on the System of the World, which he wrote after the Principia. Newton concluded that a projectile launched horizontally with sufficient speed would orbit Earth rather than crashing to Earth's surface.
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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

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Tools

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

• Launcher – Simulation packages.
• Tracker – Video analysis.
• EJS – Easy Java Simulations.
• Data Tool – Data analysis.