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Ejs Intro SpringLab Model
written by Anne Cox, Wolfgang Christian, and Mario Belloni
supported by the National Science Foundation
This inquiry-based resource asks students to develop a computer model for a mass on a spring. Designed specifically for students with no prior experience in computer modeling, the lesson opens with a hands-on lab where students investigate spring-and-mass systems, record data, and analyze results. Afterward, they use the Intro SpringLab computer modeling tool to build their own model of a mass on a spring. Finally, they compare the results of their computer models with the real-life results obtained in the lab.  

Editor's Note: The Easy Java Simulation tool greatly reduces the amount of programming required to develop computer models. Exercises in student-generated modeling are becoming much more widespread in physics education because of the opportunities for students to test and apply their own prototypes to explain and predict physical phenomena.

SEE RELATED MATERIALS for a link to the EJS Modeling and Authoring Tool, which students will need to develop their models.  
This resource also includes a detailed instructor's guide, instructor's notes with solutions, laboratory exercises, and tips for constructing the models.

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java.
3 supplemental documents are available
1 source code document is available
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Classical Mechanics
- Newton's Second Law
= Force, Acceleration
Oscillations & Waves
- Oscillations
= Simple Harmonic Motion
= Springs and Oscillators
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Activity
= Interactive Simulation
= Laboratory
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physical Science
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- AP Physics
- Lesson Plan
- Activity
- Laboratory
- New teachers
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Intended Users:
Learner
Educator
Format:
application/java
Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2008 Wolfgang Christian
Additional information is available.
PACSs:
01.50.hv
07.05.Tp
01.50.Lc
Keywords:
EJS, Easy Java Simulations, computational modeling, computer modeling, conservation of energy, elastic potential energy, gravitational potential energy, osp, spring, spring constant
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created May 28, 2008 by Anne Cox
Record Updated:
June 5, 2014 by Andreu Glasmann
Last Update
when Cataloged:
May 28, 2008
Other Collections:

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion
  • 9-12: 4F/H4. Whenever one thing exerts a force on another, an equal amount of force is exerted back on it.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models
  • 6-8: 11B/M2. Mathematical models can be displayed on a computer and then modified to see what happens.
  • 9-12: 11B/H3. The usefulness of a model can be tested by comparing its predictions to actual observations in the real world. But a close match does not necessarily mean that other models would not work equally well or better.

This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.


Topic: Periodic and Simple Harmonic Motion
Unit Title: Conservation of Energy and Forces on a Spring

Student-generated computer models are becoming much more widespread in physics education because of the opportunity for kids to test and apply their own prototypes. This resource lets them develop a model for a mass on a spring. It opens as a simple simulation for them to explore, record, and analyze data. Afterward, they use the Intro SpringLab computer modeling tool to built their own model and compare results with the real-life experimental results. Resource requires Java.

Link to Unit:
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
A. Cox, W. Christian, and M. Belloni, Computer Program EJS INTRO SPRINGLAB MODEL (2008), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450).
AJP/PRST-PER
A. Cox, W. Christian, and M. Belloni, Computer Program EJS INTRO SPRINGLAB MODEL (2008), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450>.
APA Format
Cox, A., Christian, W., & Belloni, M. (2008). Ejs Intro SpringLab Model [Computer software]. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450
Chicago Format
Cox, A, W. Christian, and M. Belloni. "Ejs Intro SpringLab Model." https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450 (accessed 3 October 2024).
MLA Format
Cox, Anne, Wolfgang Christian, and Mario Belloni. Ejs Intro SpringLab Model. Computer software. 2008. Java 1.5. 3 Oct. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Anne Cox and Wolfgang Christian and Mario Belloni", Title = {Ejs Intro SpringLab Model}, Month = {May}, Year = {2008} }
Refer Export Format

%A Anne Cox %A Wolfgang Christian %A Mario Belloni %T Ejs Intro SpringLab Model %D May 28, 2008 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450 %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Computer Program %A Cox, Anne %A Christian, Wolfgang %A Belloni, Mario %D May 28, 2008 %T Ejs Intro SpringLab Model %8 May 28, 2008 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7278&DocID=450


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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

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Ejs Intro SpringLab Model:

Is Based On Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool

The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Intro SpringLab resource.

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