What is a Physlet®?

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 collection of applets we call “Physlets” has some attributes that make it valuable for the educational enterprise.

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• 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.

• Physlet-based pedagogy is agnostic.  Physlets can be used as an element of almost any curriculum with almost any teaching style.  Although we believe that interactive engagement methods such as Just-in-Time Teaching, Peer Instruction, or Tutorials can improve pedagogy, Physlets can be used as traditional lecture demonstrations and can be given as end-of-chapter homework.

• Physlets are Web based. They can run on (almost) any platform and be embedded in almost any type of html document, whether it be a homework assignment, a personal website, or an extensive science out-reach site.  Physlets can be used as an element of almost any curriculum.

• Physlets are free for noncommercial use. Physlet archives, that is, compressed archives containing compiled Java programs, can be downloaded from the Davidson College WebPhysics server.