Collection of Simulation Websites What you might need to run these simulations: Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer http://www.java.com Macromedia Flash Player installed on your computer http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/ Macromedia Shockwave Player installed on your computer http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi

Physics Interactive Simulations Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/rutherford/ In this interactive simulation of the classic Rutherford experiment, the slit width can be increased. As alpha particles collide with the gold nuclei, they deflect from their path and impact various places on the zinc sulfide screen.

Elemental Spectra http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/elements/Elements.html In this interactive simulation, the Periodic Table is displayed, and as each element symbol is clicked, the elemental line spectrum is displayed. The lines of absorption or emission can be clicked by mouse to determine their wavelengths.

Shadows http://www.molecularexpressions.com/primer/java/scienceoptics u/shadows/index.html Moving the slider to the right causes the sun to rise to its apogee in this interactive shadow simulation. The shadows of the meter stick and the dinosaur shorten, and the mathematical ratio demonstrates how shadow length can be used to determine height.

Brownian Motion http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_ stuff/Applets/brownian/brownian.html In this simulation of Brownian motion, you can stop and start the random motions of the red gas molecules, or reset the position of the blue dust particle. On the left you see a microscopic view of the dust particle and its trail of motion. On the right is a simulation of the gas molecule-dust interactions. It is confusing that as one dust particle leaves the field of view, another enters.

Ball and Ramp Simulation http://elis.ucles-red.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/ballramp/ball-ramp.html Select your ramp, select the type of gravity, and watch a ball roll down. Observe the graph which shows displacement over time. Unfortunately, the graph only shows the first five seconds of any motion.

Pendulums http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/galileo/ This website about Galileo has many different activities. Click on “Pendulums” for this interactive simulation. You observe and measure the period of different pendulums, then use this information to see how the law relating a pendulum’s period and length was determined.

Newtonian Mountain http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/more_stuff/Applets/newt/ newtmtn.html Fire the cannon and watch the red ball. Move the slider to the right to increase the initial velocity of the cannon ball. With enough velocity, the ball will go into orbit, as described by Newton.

Michelson-Morley Experiment http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlet s/mmexpt6.htm This interactive simulation recreates what Michelson and Morley expected in their famous experiment to detect the ether wind. You can change the orientation of the apparatus, the velocity of the “light”, and the velocity of the “ether”. There are some errors in the programming of this simulation. At high speeds of light and zero ether wind, the results are not as one would expect.

Non-Interactive Simulations Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/kap13/cd372.htm A wave approaches a boundary, and it might reflect off that boundary, refract through it, or diffract through the slit in it. This simulation provides the student with a way to study and observe these three wave phenomena.

Chemistry Interactive Simulations Chem Balancer http://www.emsb.qc.ca/laurenhill/science/balance/ This interactive game consists of 13 chemical equations that need balancing. If you correctly balance each equation, you are rewarded with interesting element factoids. If you do not balance the equation correctly, you are prompted to try again. A student worksheet can be downloaded to accompany this website.

Acids and Bases http://www.echalk.co.uk/Science/chemistry/universalIndicator/u niversalIndicator.html These two interactive guess-and-check games familiarize the student with the pH values of various common chemicals. The first game introduces the pH values and the second one tests the student. You can drag the flasks over to the indicator field, which helps you guess the chemical’s pH, or click the “show pH” button for all the answers.

Phase Changes http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/index.cfm?s=1&m=402&p=141,view_ resource&id=9 In this simulation, you click a button to increase the heat applied to a beaker with an ice cube in it. As you repeatedly click the heat button, a temperature-time graph is displayed. There are some aspects of this simulation that are misleading. Time may stop on the graph, but the red molecules continue to vibrate. It looks like the heat continues to transfer to the ice, but the ice stops melting halfway through its course. After the ice becomes a liquid, it boils and boils without a reduction in volume. Periodic Table http://chemmac1.usc.edu/java/ptable/ptable.html In this activity, you click on an element in the Periodic Table and bar graphs are displayed showing various trends in both the group and the period that the element is in. Trends in the atomic mass, atomic radius, density of the element, and more can be viewed. The atomic mass is incorrectly referred to as “weight”. Atom Builder http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/atom/# In this interactive simulation, an atom is built from the quark up. As up and down quarks are combined to make protons or neutrons, they can be dragged into the atomic structure and placed appropriately. Electrons can be dragged and placed in

the appropriate electron shell. In this way, heavier atoms are constructed, and if you keep the atom stable, it may become carbon. This is a very engaging instructional tool. Virtual Chemistry Lab http://www.chemcollective.org/vlab/vlab.php In this virtual chemistry lab, cabinets are opened full of chemicals and lab-ware. Chemicals can be mixed together, heated, poured from one container to another, and specific information about chemical properties is displayed. As solutions are heated, you can see the pH values change. There is a very helpful Help Menu. This is a professionally done site, funded by the National Science Foundation. Acids and Bases http://michele.usc.edu/java/acidbase/acidbase.html In this acid/base titration activity, you add specific amounts of an HCl, NaOH, or a buffer. This activity is confusing, as there are no instructions or definitions of the terms used.

Marble Chips in Acid http://elis.uclesred.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/marble/marble.html Choose the number of marble chips you place in this acid bath… choose the strength of the acid too. This simulation records the mass of the marble pieces over time and graphs the results for you.

Electrolysis Simulation http://elis.uclesred.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/electrolysis/electrolysi s.html Wow! Choose an electrolyte, and ramp up the voltage on this electrolysis simulation. Listen to the gases bubble up and collect. When you’re ready to, test the gas with one of several available methods. Watch the graph unfold showing gas volume vs. time.

Non-Interactive Simulations Reactive Metals in Water http://library.thinkquest.org/11430/experimental/metals.htm Calcium, potassium and magnesium can be observed reacting with water in these three simulations. The sound effects are rather interesting, adding an element of surprise to this virtual observation.

Nuclear Fission http://www.visionlearning.com/library/flash_viewer.php?oid =2391&mid=59 In this semi-interactive simulation, you click a button to start the fission of an atom of Uranium. What’s interesting is that the resulting daughter atoms are not always the same. Restart this reaction over and over, observing how varied the outcomes are. Nuclear Chain Reactions http://www.visionlearning.com/library/flash_viewer.php?oid=274 6&mid=59 Select the uncontrolled chain reaction to watch the slow-motion depiction of how released neutrons create more episodes of fission at an exponential rate. This is an excellent use of technology.

Biology Interactive Simulations Owl Pellet, Squid, and Frog Dissection http://www.froguts.com/flash_content/index.html

This commercial site offers owl pellet, squid, and frog dissection simulations. A free owl pellet demonstration allows the student to click and drag bones from the pellet to the outline of the vole. The name of each skeletal piece is provided. This activity would be a good precursor to the actual dissection, which is a much messier activity! Click “demos” to see the free portions of the site. Fetal Pig Dissection http://www.whitman.edu/biology/vpd/main.html Not for the weak-kneed, this virtual dissection activity takes the student through six body systems of the fetal pig. The images are clear and life-like, and the student interacts by clicking through each step. The site also has quizzes for after each section of the activity.

Frog Dissection http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/frog/ This simulation can be either a tutorial for actually dissecting a frog, or a virtual replacement. There are quizzes, and audio and video are both available. The simulation proceeds clearly, step-by-step. The images are fuzzy with low resolution.

Rabbit Genetics http://elis.uclesred.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/rabbits/rabbits.html Breed pure white and black rabbits to create offspring. Remove rabbits through the “escape door”, then try crossbreeding offspring you’ve put in little cages below. You can keep notes on each rabbit you breed.

Water Weed Experiment http://elis.ucles-red.cam.ac.uk/enigma/simulations/elodea/elodea.html A weed is in water and you can change the light source, the light intensity, and the carbon dioxide level in the water. This interactive simulation lets you run many trials, counting the number of oxygen

bubbles the water weed produces in a set period of time. This is a good simulation to use when demonstrating the difference between independent and dependent variables.

Non-Interactive Simulations Plant Thigmonasty http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~rhangart/plantmotion/mo vements/nastic/nastic.html This video shows the thigmonasty (response to touch) of a mimosa leaf. The site has a clearly written description of the phenomena.

Plant Nutational Movements http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~rhangart/plantmotion/movements/ nastic/nastic.html This video shows the nutational movements (rotational hunting) of Morning Glory plants. It is a time-lapse video, and the rotational movements of the plant are striking.

Plant Response to Light http://sunflower.bio.indiana.edu/~rhangart/plantmotion/movements/leafm ovements/clocks.html In this time-lapse video, the Oxalis plant is seen responding to light with its own biological clock.

Golgi Apparatus Animation http://www.johnkyrk.com/golgiAlone.html Watch proteins being synthesized and then transported to the Golgi apparatus. This animation is clearly explained as each step in the process ensues.

Meiosis Animation http://www.johnkyrk.com/meiosis.html Watch each step in the meiosis of an animal cell. Explanations are provided along the way.

Non-Interactive Simulations Waves of Destruction http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/animations/tsunami/in dex.html Watch how an earthquake out at sea can cause a tsunami on land. This simulation shows plate subduction.

Earth Science Interactive Simulations Water Cycle http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/cont ent/visualizations/es0105/es0105page01.cfm?chapter_no =visualization Click on each step in water cycle process for information and possible “next steps”.

Plate Tectonics http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tectonics/#

Move the oceanic and continental plates around and watch mountain building and a volcanic eruption. A map of the continents shows where various plate boundaries are.

Make a Quake http://dsc.discovery.com/unsolvedhistory/earthquake/interactive/interact ive.html Choose the soil, the structure type, the quake magnitude, and then start the earthquake. Will your building withstand the forces? This interactive simulation provides information about why earthquakes can be devastating. You’ll want to try it several times to observe how changing one variable can affect the outcome drastically.

Technology Interactive Simulations Energy Use http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Work/index.html Choose the appliances you use and type in the number of hours each is typically used in a day. This annual energy bill calculator displays information about the cost per kilowatt-hour for each appliance and sums up the annual bill.

Non-Interactive Simulations Fuel Cells http://www.microscopy.fsu.edu/primer/java/fuelcell/index.html Change the speed of this simulation and watch hydrogen and oxygen react to create electricity in this fuel cell. This is not a very interactive simulation, but it provides a clear visual explanation of the process.

Space Science Interactive Simulations Phases of the Moon http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/java/MoonPhas e.html This simulation promotes misconceptions in science. The scale is erroneous and not clearly stated as such. The moon goes through an eclipse each month, and the phase numbers are misleading.

Solar System Simulator http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ Choose an object in our solar system, choose your viewing location and date/time, and run this simulator to use your virtual telescope. This is a highly interactive and interesting tool, as an independent variable can be changed to observe the outcome.

Phases of Venus http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlets/ PhasesofVenus.htm From a vantage point somewhere in space outside of Venus’s orbit, watch how Venus has phases much like the moon. There is a button to click that makes the proportions more to scale. Click and drag anywhere in space to change the viewing orientation. This is a fun simulation to play with.

Non-Interactive Simulations Moon Phases http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/lunar/Lunar_plugin.html

While this simulation is interesting to watch, it contains a blatant error in that the small image of the moon, as seen revolving around the earth, does not rotate on its axis. Lunar Eclipse http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashle ts/eclipse3.htm Click play or pause to start and stop this lunar eclipse simulation. The simulation falls short in two ways: the objects are not to scale and this fact is not indicated, plus the earth view in the black box doesn’t realistically depict the way a total lunar eclipse appears as indirect light from the sun filters through the earth’s atmosphere. The Sidereal and Synodic Months http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/astronomy /sidereal.html This animation demonstrates the difference between the sidereal and synodic months. The image is not to scale, but id does a good job demonstrating the difference anyway.

Nature of Science Interactive Simulations What Killed the Dinosaurs? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/extinction/dinosaurs / Explore one of four theories explaining the extinction of the dinosaurs by viewing 12 animations simulating the evidence backing up each theory. This is a well done site.

Electron Microscopy Interactive http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/electronmicroscopy/magnify1/i ndex.html

Watch how technology can impact the ability to make observations with this electron microscope simulation. Zoom in on the fine details of one of 14 samples provided by Florida State University’s popular Molecular Expressions website. Powers of Ten http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/ Zoom in on the universe in this amazing simulation which takes you from the outer reaches of the universe to the inner dimensions of an atom.

Stepping Feet Illusion http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_feet_lin/index.html Science is subjective, as is seen in this optical illusion. Are the yellow and blue blocks moving in step, or are they gliding fluidly? Modify the background of this animation to find out.

Motion Induced Blindness http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_mib/index.html Now you see them, now you don’t. This optical illusion demonstrates the limits of human vision as interpreted by the human brain. Slow down and speed up this animation.