Teaching high school physics using PhET interactive simulation

Abstract

This study focuses on students’ exploration of work and energy using PhET interactive simulation and involving 36 students of high school in physics class. Students were working in small groups to explore virtual phenomena using PhET - the ramp and energy skate park. The worksheets were created by teacher to guide students in the inquiry-based exploration of scientific phenomena. During the lesson, students input the data, controlled related variables, and interpreted the graphs. At the end of the lesson, some questions were administrated by the teacher to focus on students’ interpretation of graphs and pictures related to the concept of work and energy. It was found that the students were interested in PhET interactive simulation and actively ask questions during the lesson. Thus, students’ interpretation of graph is better than before. The research concluded that students can 1) analyze the relationship between forces and changes in kinetic energy in objects moving in horizontal field, 2) analyze the relationship between forces and potential energy and potential energy changes in objects moving in an inclined, 3) Analyzing the relationship between non-conservative forces with mechanical energy, 4) evaluating the suitability of relationship the graphs/images between the position of objects with kinetic.