Tracker

The Tracker tool extends traditional video analysis by enabling users to create particle models based on Newton's laws. Because models synchronize with and draw themselves right on videos of real-world objects, students can test models experimentally by direct visual inspection.

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Featured Tracker Package

Tracker Video Analysis: Angry Birds in Space
What type of force is exerted on Angry Birds in Space?  The video analysis in this item explores the physics behind the game. This Tracker model was featured in Rhett Allain's Wired magazine Dot Physics blog.
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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.

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Featured EJS Model

Gray Scott Reaction Diffusion Model
The Gray-Scott Reaction Diffusion Model displays the spatial concentration of chemical species U and V under the influence of the reaction U+2V->3V and V->P.  The simulation models this reaction in an open system with a constant addition of U and removal of V due to a flow.  Combining this autocatalytic process with diffusion results in pattern formation that has a surprising variety of spatiotemporal patterns when starting in the initial state U=1 and V=0 except for a square grid at the center where U=1/2 and V=1/4.
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Programming

Open Source Physics provides 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:

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