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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

Polarizer Program
The Polarizer program displays the effect of a plane polarizer on an incident electromagnetic wave.   The default electromagnetic wave is plane polarized but this polarization can be changed using the input fields.  The slider can be used to rotate the polarizer to change its orientation.
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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

Modeling Physics with Easy Java Simulations: TPT Package
This Java archive contains a collection of simple Easy Java Simulations (EJS) programs for the teaching of computer-based modeling.  The materials and text of this resource appeared in an article of the same name in The Physics Teacher.
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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

Ejs Ball in a Wedge Model
The Ball in a Wedge model displays a ball confined to move between two walls that form a wedge shape.  The ball undergoes elastic collisions with the walls of the wedge.
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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

Introduction to EJS Modeling
Workshop: American Association of Physics Teachers Meeting
Chicago, IL
February 13, 2009

Building a Computational-Physics-Education Digital Library
Recent Developments in Computer Simulation Studies in Condensed Matter Physics Workshop.

University of Georgia, Athens GA
Feb 26, 2009

Incorporating Simulations and Computer Modeling into Upper Level Physics Courses
Workshop at the APS March Meeting Baltimore, MD
March 15, 2009

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

More events

OSP News

Demonstration for the Static Ladder Problem
Article: The Physics Teacher

News archive

Latest OSP Materials

Dec 2 Two Particle Elastic Collision Model
Nov 22 Multiple Slit Diffraction Model
Nov 21 Circular Well Superposition Model
Nov 17 Magnetic Field from Loops Model

Recent Discussions

Nov 24 - 6:54 PM EST
Larry Engelhardt posted Typo in subscripts in... to the Errata in An Intro... thread.

Nov 23 - 11:23 AM EST
Wolfgang posted EJS 4.1 released to the EJS Updates thread.