materialworlds simulation library

The table below gives links to the full range of materialworlds simulations -
including variations on particular simulations so that teachers and publishers can use the most suitable version. Alternative views of simulations are shown in brackets and italics (like this).
The simulations automatically size themselves to fit - so the bigger the browser window, the larger and more detailed the simulation. Selecting a link will display the simulation in the whole browser window.

Solar System  Eight simulations exploring different aspects of the Solar System
Entire solar system: orbits and Earth view (just orbits view, just Earth view)
Entire solar system: orbits and Earth view - showing force and velocity vectors in 3D perspective
Four seasons - solstices and equinoxessingle viewwhat if?
Force and velocity (just orbits view, just Earth view) / what if? (just orbits view)
Geocentric view
Comet orbits
Tidal forces
Satellite playground
Earth passing1 / Earth passing2
home page triple solar simulation
kinetic gas theory Simulation models 2D gas - with vectors showing forces and velocities of each molecule.
Graphs map volume, pressure, temperature and velocity distribution.
Sliders display and control volume, pressure, temperature and number of molecules.
Simulation can be run under pressure or volume control, and under isothermal or adiabatic conditions.
home page repeating simulation of piston compressing gas under isothermal conditions
snooker Play snooker though a 3D players-eye view - with a 2D plan view showing forces and velocities
home page repeating snooker simulation
crash Who needs crumple zones? How do passengers and vehicles fare in different collisions?
What difference do crumple zones make?
crash into wall / shunt crash / head-on collision
What difference does vehicle size make?
head-on collisions between vehicles of different sizes
What difference do crumple zones make to collisions at different speeds?
without crumple zones / with crumple zones
pendulum  An experimental lab - it traces out a range of graphs and attractors as you experiment to see how length, mass, gravity and friction affect the pendulum's swing
Newtons cradle  Try out different configurations of Newton's cradle - and slow time down to catch each separate collision
bouncing ball Interpret horizontal and vertical force, velocity and position graphs for a bouncing ball.
Galileo's balls Drop two balls of different sizes from the same height. Do they hit the ground at the same time?
terminal velocity How do gravity, air friction, and its mass and size affect a falling ball?
pendulum clock Take apart a pendulum clock to see how it works
siege engine Load a medieval catapult with the projectile of your choice
swing How can you make this swing safer?
bridges What different forces support arch and beam bridges?