SimSym: a Physics Simulator That Encourages Model Descriptions

Physics simulators are a useful alternative to experiments in teaching physics. Educators and learners can experiment various settings without preparing “physical” experimental equipment. While experiments and theories depend on each other in learning physics, existing simulators only support the experiment part. This project seeks a novel methodology to teach physics along with a supporting simulation environment. Since simple physical phenomenon can be described by equations between time and positions of objects, we design a simulator that allows learners can easily form physical models by inputting expressions into the system. This will allow the learners spontaneously make trials-and-errors at the level of mathematical expressions, which we hope to help deeper understandings of physics.

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