The EJS Molecular Dynamics Demonstration model is constructed using the Lennard-Jones potential truncated at a distance of 3 molecular diameters. The motion of the molecules is governed by Newton's laws, approximated using the Verlet algorithm with the indicated Time step. For sufficiently small time steps dt, the system's total energy should be approximately conserved. Users can select various initial configurations using the drop down menu.
Ejs Molecular Dynamics Demonstration model was developed using the Easy Java Simulations (Ejs) modeling tool based on a Java applet written by Dan Schroeder, Physics Department, Weber State University. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_MultipleCoinToss.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. Ejs is a part of the Open Source Physics Project and is designed to make it easier to access, modify, and generate computer models. Additional Ejs models for classical mechanics are available. They can be found by searching ComPADRE for Open Source Physics, OSP, or Ejs.
Please note that this resource requires
at least version 1.5 of Java.
What is Temperature Model
A customized Molecular Dynamics Demo model designed to teach simple molecular dynamics concepts using a realistic simulation. The middle school lesson packaged within this model was written by Barbara Christian for her science class. download 1392kb .jar
Published: October 10, 2010
previous versions
Molecular Dynamics Demo Model: Additional Documentation Regarding Customization
A pdf file that provides additional documentation regarding customization of this simulation. download 166kb .pdf
Published: July 12, 2012
previous versions
What is Temperature Lesson Plan
A middle school science lesson plan designed to teach temperature concepts using a realistic simulation. download 103kb .pdf
Published: October 10, 2010
Rights: Copyright by Barbara Christian. Free for non-commercial use with attribution.
What is Temperature Lesson Plan Key
Answer key with screen shots for the middle school science lesson plan. download 203kb .pdf
Last Modified: October 12, 2010
Rights: Copyright by Barbara Christian. Free for non-commercial use with attribution.
Molecular Dynamics Demonstration for Teachers Source Code
The source code zip archive contains an XML representation of the Molecular Dynamics Demo Model. Unzip this archive in your Ejs workspace to compile and run this model using Ejs. download 267kb .zip
Last Modified: June 10, 2014
previous versions
6-8: 4E/M4. Energy appears in different forms and can be transformed within a system. Motion energy is associated with the speed of an object. Thermal energy is associated with the temperature of an object. Gravitational energy is associated with the height of an object above a reference point. Elastic energy is associated with the stretching or compressing of an elastic object. Chemical energy is associated with the composition of a substance. Electrical energy is associated with an electric current in a circuit. Light energy is associated with the frequency of electromagnetic waves.
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (1993 Version)
4. THE PHYSICAL SETTING
E. Energy Transformations
4E (9-12) #2. Heat energy in a material consists of the disordered motions of its atoms or molecules. In any interactions of atoms or molecules, the statistical odds are that they will end up with less order than they began?that is, with the heat energy spread out more evenly. With huge numbers of atoms and molecules, the greater disorder is almost certain.
W. Christian, Computer Program MOLECULAR DYNAMICS DEMONSTRATION MODEL, Version 1.0 (2008), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8301&DocID=905).
W. Christian, Computer Program MOLECULAR DYNAMICS DEMONSTRATION MODEL, Version 1.0 (2008), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8301&DocID=905>.
Christian, W. (2008). Molecular Dynamics Demonstration Model (Version 1.0) [Computer software]. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8301&DocID=905
%A Wolfgang Christian %T Molecular Dynamics Demonstration Model %D November 15, 2008 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8301&DocID=905 %O 1.0 %O application/java
%0 Computer Program %A Christian, Wolfgang %D November 15, 2008 %T Molecular Dynamics Demonstration Model %7 1.0 %8 November 15, 2008 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=8301&DocID=905
Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
4 supplemental documents are available
Record Link
Save to my folders
