This applet simulates the motion of a block sliding down an inclined plane, across a level surface, and colliding with a wall. Initial position and velocity of the block, and the coefficient of friction can all be changed. Either zero or a finite initial velocity can be imparted to the block. Motion is shown using motion diagrams (positions at equal time intervals) velocity and acceleration vectors, and force diagrams. Graphs of kinetic, potential, and total energies are also available.
Type of Material:
Java simulation
Recommended Uses:
Supplementary material to a mechanics course at high school or beginning college levels. This applet can be used in class for lecture/demonstrations or to supplement group work, laboratories, or online homework.
Technical Requirements:
Jave enabled browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Kinematics and energetics can be studied
Target Student Population:
High school and introductory undergraduate levels
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Knowledge of vectors is needed. Understanding of Newton's Laws and energy are also needed.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This applet is very flexible, with a wide range of parameters in which to work. The ability to set the initial velocity, angle, and friction are all very useful. The applet has strong visual appeal. The information provided is excellent, including a pictorial representation of velocity and acceleration, a free body diagram outlining force components, and a graph of kinetic, potential, and total energies vs time (on a separate page).
The results simulated are accurate.
Concerns:
There is no scale on the horizontal (time) axis of the energy versus time graph.
The angle of the incline is labeled "x", a somewhat unorthodox notation.
There is no clock for timing the simulation. Time can only be determined in 0.2 second intervals from block positions on the motion diagram. Thus considerations of average vs instantaneous velocity can not be addressed.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This applet has the potential to be used to demonstrate the importance of the block sliding down the inclined plane problem at an earlier level, perhaps in 9th grade or even earlier.
The ability to make measurements on the motion in this simulation is very positive. The ability to ctrl-drag a measurement of both vertical and horizontal distances is a plus.
Concerns:
Making precise measurements is rather difficult because of the sensitivity to small displacements in the cursor. This can be used to introduce students to careful error analysis, but they should be warned.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Use of this applet is very intuitive, with obvious controls for setting parameters. The instructions included with the applet, though short, describe the basic operation.
Concerns:
When a user performs the first length measurement after pausing the simulation, the simulation switches from velocity/acceleration view to force view. This does not really cause a problem in the measurement, but can be a little disconcerting.
For cases without friction and with elastic rebound, the block does not quite go back to a line drawn at the top of the ramp. This line does not represent the starting point of the block, which may confuse students.
Other Issues and Comments:
Very good applet for students and with minor adjustments it can be a superb contribution.
Creative Commons:
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