LEAD
Learning Enchancement
Across Disciplines
203 Norwood Hall
320 W. 12th St.
Rolla, MO 65409-1430
Phone: (573) 341-6655
Fax: (573) 341-6179
lead@mst.edu
Interactive Java Applets (EDinfomatics) – by subject area and subtopics
About Java –
extensive resource site about applets, with hundreds of downloadable
versions
JARS Java Repository – in Categories, see Science (with Engineering)
JavaBoutique
Categories-Educational – particularly Simulations
Physics - Physlets
Nice
examples
Composite centripetal
force on a circular swing carousel – change period to 3 sec, press enter
key, click box “Carousel with forces�?
Formation of standing waves by two colliding waves – right click on image,
type in f1=5 and f2=5, then press enter key (note: right click on image to
pause and resume)
Thin lens
optics – click and hold object tip to change its height and position.
Move lens in the same way.
Debroglie
Atom – to fit an integral number of waves around an atomic orbit; grab the
orbit in the applet down the page and move it in and out. Wave turns
green with integral.
Eignestates
in a potential well (advanced) – drag (click and hold left mouse button)
any corner of the well or the energy line to see effect on the wavefunction,
with accompanying explanation. If the URL seems broken, try again
later for their server at the Ecole Polytechnique in France does not always
connect well.
Biology - Biolets
Nice
examples
Mitosis – hit “rewind�? button when
done, then use “step�? button to go through sequence (note the arrow going
vertically down at right of animation box)
Virtual Labs – click
on “Animations�? in top blue bar, then “Index�? tab when the Animation Console
pops up
Chemistry - Chemlets
Nice
examples
Simulation of
pressure-volume cycles of gas engine – adjust throttle up on vertical RPM
bar
Chemical kinetics: Reactant and Products – look for pop-up control
panel that pops up somewhere on your monitor after you click to start (click on
instructions link for control).
Earth Sciences - Earthlets
Nice
examples
Molecular motion at atmospheric heights in the atmosphere
Finding
Earthquake Epicenters
Mathematics - Mathlets
Nice
examples
Surfing
Derivative – cute little animation showing instantaneous slope
Sine, cosine,
tangent – geometrically and graphically
Discontinuity
of derivatives for non-smooth functions – click on “Both�? button in control
panel of applet at bottom
Engineering and Technology -
Techlets
Nice
examples
Traffic signal
kinematics – change car speed and conditions along with signal timing to
see how traffic flow is affected
Bridge designer –
read/glance over intro desk, click on “design and build a bridge
truss�? at bottom, click on desired element at top of next screen
(explanation of how to add element will appear in red after you click on
desired button)
Reciprocating diaphragm pump – driven by rotating gear
Biotech
selective diffusion across membrane (concentration polarization) – “Reset�?
button does not seem to work, just click “More�?
Formation of PN junctions in semiconductors – drag one of the colored
elements up or down, then click “Form Junction�?
Animations at Physical Sciences
Information Gateway (PSIgate) – low to high level material on the web, with
great search engine. In the Find box window, type in the desired
search string (e.g., quantum applets), and hit the Go
button. Alternatively, click on the Advanced
Search link, enter the desired topic (e.g., quantum) in the Find
box, select the subject area (e.g., All subjects, or Physics),
and select Animations in the Resource Type pull down choices.
Highly recommended, especially for advanced topics. Subjects
include (but not limited to):
Physics
Chemistry
Materials
Science
Astronomy
Earth
Sciences
History &
Policy
Animations at EEVL Internet Guide to
Engineering, Mathematics, and Computing – incredible extensive guide to
online resources and course material from basic mathematics to topology,
bioengineering and material engineering. To find applets in your desired
area, click through layers of disciplines in the subject guide and then enter
“applet�? in the search window and unclick the “exact word�? button.
(If you do not get enough hits, particularly in engineering disciplines,
try “interactive calculator�? and unclick the “exact word�? button, but click on
“ANY�? button). Highly recommended, especially for advanced
topics.