What type of Physics software do you want?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Matt Jacques
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the types of physics software that would be beneficial for high school students. Participants share their thoughts on what features and functionalities such software should have to aid learning and understanding of physics concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the types of physics software needed at the high school level, seeking input from students, teachers, and scientists.
  • Another participant expresses a desire for software that can easily manipulate the algebra of Lie point symmetries of partial differential equations, although this may not align with high school needs.
  • A suggestion is made for a user-friendly graphical interface for GEANT, indicating a preference for more advanced tools.
  • Participants reflect on their own experiences, with one wishing for software that graphically demonstrates Newtonian physics, such as visualizing projectile motion.
  • Another participant mentions the utility of software like Maple for checking answers in differentiation, though they note its potential cost as a barrier.
  • There is a call for software that can demonstrate problem-solving steps in physics, using relatable scenarios to illustrate relevant forces and potential fields.
  • A participant expresses interest in a graphic tool that explains the workings of trigonometric identities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a common interest in developing software that enhances physics learning at the high school level, but there are varying opinions on specific features and functionalities that would be most beneficial. No consensus is reached on a singular type of software or approach.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions may depend on the specific curriculum or educational standards, and the feasibility of implementing certain software features remains uncertain.

Matt Jacques
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Hi,

Please forgive me, I know not whether this is the appropiate forum to post to or whether I should ask, but...

I am inquiring what type of Physics software that is needed, I'm mostly interested in High School level. What would be benificial to the student? What could help the student learn?

I currently make Physics 101, ProjectileX, and Circuit Aid for the High School level. Since students, teachers, and scientists visit these boards, they are the best to know what is needed, any input or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt Jacques
http://www.praetersoftware.com
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Although this is far from the proposed question, I would really like to see an easy manipulable program to determine the algebra of Lie point symmetries of partial differential equations. Systems like Reduce or Macsyma are not bad, but it is quite difficult to find them.
 
A user-friendly graphical interface to GEANT. Not really high-school level, tho. :)
 
Hmm, not exactly what I was looking for.

Please just fill in the blank :smile:

When I was in High School, I wish I had a piece of software that ___________________________________________.
 
I would have loved to have Maple when I was in my later years in high school. It would have come in really handy for checking my answers to problems involving differentiation and what not.

Probably a bit to expensive though.

I definitely think the most useful thing that could have been invented when I was in high school was physics forums, so count yourself lucky it is around now
 
... graphically demonstrated Newtonian physics. Ie, plug in the trajectory and watch the cannonball arc accoring to Newton's theory.
 
Something like that would demostrate and list out the steps used to solve a particular problem. eg, you set up using a GUI "50kg Tarzan is swinging on a rope to pick up Jane..." and it shows the relevant forces/potential fields, and lists the steps used to solve the problem.

Also, software that would give a good visualization of fields would be good: especially EM ones. Fancy CG has a great ability to intuitively portray dynamic vector fields that I think hasn't yet been exploited.
 
I would have wanted a graphic tool which showed how and why the trig identities worked.
 

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