This is a simulation of one dimensional free-fall. An object is dropped a distance of 6 m, while a clock times the fall. One can adjust where in the free-fall the clocks starts and stops. The free-fall acceleration may be set to the earth, moon, or mars free-fall value.
Type of Material:
Simulation
Recommended Uses:
Use as a building block for homework assignments or as part of a virtual lab. This can also be used as an in-class simulation.
Technical Requirements:
Java applet. Because of security changes in java, the web site for this material, http://jersey.uoregon.edu/, will need to be added to the Exception Site List in the Java Control Panel.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To provide experience with simple free-fall and allow one to make quantitative measurements and analysis.
Target Student Population:
Secondary school and introductory college classes.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
There is no prerequisites required for running the simulation. However, in order to interpret the results you need some familiarity with one-dimensional constant acceleration.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This interactive demo allows the user to simulate a ball dropping at constant acceleration. The user can control the distance over which the clock will time, so that the average velocity can be calculated for different parts of the ball's fall. By calculating the average velocity for various distances, the user can become more comfortable with this concept.
With some additional instruction, the user can learn about the concept of acceleration. The applet allows the user to simulate gravity for Earth, Moon or Mars.
Concerns:
It would be difficult to measure more than average velocity using this simulation, especially without additional instructions.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The simulation provides a simple and clear applet for obtaining some simple "drop" type free-fall data. This data could provide a useful basis for doing constant acceleration calculations.
Concerns:
The lack of position data, similar to what a spark timer would give, limits the effectiveness of what can be achieved with this applet. This kind of data can be somewhat mimicked by repeated clever use of the clock start and stop points.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The applet is attractive and easy to use. It includes a calculator for the user to calculate the velocity given the measured distances and time.
Concerns:
One reviewer did not immediately understand the "calibrate" button, and the instructions were a little bit unclear on this.
The green marker (location where the clock starts) isn't clearly marked.
Creative Commons:
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