Abstract
We develop an Easy Java Simulation (EJS) model for students to experience the physics ofidealized one-dimensional collision carts. The physics model is described and simulated byboth continuous dynamics and discrete transition during collision. In designing thesimulations, we discuss briefly three pedagogical considerations namely (1) a consistentsimulation world view with a pen and paper representation, (2) a data table, scientificgraphs and symbolic mathematical representations for ease of data collectionand multiple representational visualizations and (3) a game for simple concepttesting that can further support learning. We also suggest using a physical worldsetup augmented by simulation by highlighting three advantages of real collisioncarts equipment such as a tacit 3D experience, random errors in measurementand the conceptual significance of conservation of momentum applied to justbefore and after collision. General feedback from the students has been relativelypositive, and we hope teachers will find the simulation useful in their own classes.
Highlights
Conservation of linear momentum coupled with situations when kinetic energy is conserved in perfectly elastic while not during inelastic collisions, are difficult concepts (Singh & Rosengrant, 2003) for many students
Students could be asked to imagine idealized frictionless surfaces where collision carts “move without a decrease in velocity” (Boblick, 1972) and collide in either perfectly elastic collisions without any loss of energy or perfectly inelastic collisions where the velocities of the collision carts become immediately the same. These conditions are almost impossible to achieve using real laboratory equipment (Gluck, 2010), we argue that computer simulation could be an appropriate substitute for active learning referents, provided simulations are carefully developed (Weiman & Perkins, 2005), used in appropriate context
Building on open source codes shared by the Open Source Physics (OSP) community like, Francisco’s example of “Collision in one dimension” (Esquembre, 2009), Andrew’s (Duffy, 2010) One Dimensional Collision Model for game design, and Fu-Kwun’s many other examples on NTNUJAVA Virtual Physics Laboratory, we customize an Easy Java Simulation (EJS) (Esquembre, 2004) computer simulation as a virtual laboratory as in Figure 1 (Wee & Esquembre, 2008), that we hope many teachers will find useful
Summary
Conservation of linear momentum coupled with situations when kinetic energy is conserved in perfectly elastic while not during inelastic collisions, are difficult concepts (Singh & Rosengrant, 2003) for many students. Students could be asked to imagine idealized frictionless surfaces where collision carts “move without a decrease in velocity” (Boblick, 1972) and collide in either perfectly elastic collisions without any loss of energy or perfectly inelastic collisions where the velocities of the collision carts become immediately the same. These conditions are almost impossible to achieve using real laboratory equipment (Gluck, 2010), we argue that computer simulation could be an appropriate substitute for active learning referents, provided simulations are carefully developed (Weiman & Perkins, 2005), used in appropriate context Building on open source codes shared by the Open Source Physics (OSP) community like, Francisco’s example of “Collision in one dimension” (Esquembre, 2009), Andrew’s (Duffy, 2010) One Dimensional Collision Model for game design, and Fu-Kwun’s many other examples on NTNUJAVA Virtual Physics Laboratory, we customize an Easy Java Simulation (EJS) (Esquembre, 2004) computer simulation as a virtual laboratory as in Figure 1 (Wee & Esquembre, 2008), that we hope many teachers will find useful
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