Physlets—“Physics
applets”—are small, flexible Java applets that
can be used in a wide variety of WWW applications. Many other Physics-related Java applets are
being produced around the world—some of them very useful for education. However, the class of applets we call “Physlets” has
some attributes that make it valuable for the educational enterprise.
Physlets are simple. The
graphics are simple; each Physlet is designed to deal with only one facet of physical phenomena,
and does not incorporate very much in the way of data analysis.
This keeps Physlets relatively small—easing downloading problems over slow network
connections—and removes details that could be more distracting than helpful.
Physlets are flexible.
All Physlets can be set up and controlled with JavaScript, meaning Animator can be used
for almost any subject in mechanics and EField for almost any topic in electrostatics with small
changes in the JavaScript—and not the Java—associated with each exercise. Data taking and data analysis can be added when needed
using inter-applet communication.