Physics Lab — Interactive Simulations
Physics Lab at /physicslab is UtilBloom’s browser workspace for PhET-style interactive physics covering intro mechanics, waves, circuits, and nuclear topics: projectile motion, kinematics, collisions, momentum, forces, pendulum, energy, work, waves, Ohm’s law, RC and RL transients, LC resonance, radioactive decay, nuclear binding energy, and isotope abundances. Each simulation pairs canvas motion with sliders, play/pause, and numeric readouts so the lab feels exploratory rather than a static formula sheet. Parameters persist in the tab via localStorage; nothing is uploaded for ordinary play. Closed-form step lists stay on matching /physics or /chemistry calculators when you need write-up algebra.
What you can do
- Mechanics suite
Projectile trajectories, Moving-Man kinematics with s(t)/v(t) plots, 1D elastic or inelastic collisions, p = mv momentum arrows, F = ma carts with friction, pendulum swings, PE→KE energy bars, and work along a path at an angle.
- Waves and circuits suite
Traveling waves locked to v = fλ, Ohm’s-law loops with moving charges, RC charging/discharging V(t), RL current growth/decay with τ = L/R, and an LC tank oscillating at f₀ = 1/(2π√(LC)).
- Nuclear suite
Animate radioactive decay with half-life markers and a remaining-nuclei cloud, explore BE/A on the liquid-drop binding curve (iron peak), and compare natural isotope abundances for average atomic mass.
- Mode rail between sims
Switch among all simulations without leaving the workspace; controls and canvas swap while settings hydrate from localStorage on this device.
- Links into physics calculators
Use Physics Lab for intuition, then open the matching /physics tool—projectile, kinematics, collision, momentum, work-energy, wave-equation, ohms-law, RC, RL, or resonance—when you need step-by-step algebra.
- Play, pause, and readout strip
Every scene exposes play/pause or fire, reset, parameter sliders, and live numeric cards so students can pause mid-flight or mid-transient and compare against homework values.
- Browser-local privacy
Ordinary play never uploads lab parameters. Share by describing settings or using linked calculators; treat the tab as ephemeral unless you export notes yourself.
Worked examples
45° cannon on Earth g
v0 = 25 m/s, θ = 45°, g = 9.81 m/s²
Fire the projectile sim, pause at apex, confirm max height and range against the projectile motion calculator, then change g to lunar values to see the same angle stretch the flight.
Equal-mass elastic bump
m1 = m2 = 2 kg, u1 = 3 m/s, u2 = 0, elastic
Play the collision: velocities should exchange. Toggle perfectly inelastic and watch both masses share a common velocity while momentum rows stay consistent.
RC five time constants
R = 1 kΩ, C = 1 mF, charging to 5 V
Run until t ≈ 5τ and confirm V approaches V∞. Switch to discharge from the same V∞ and compare the decaying curve shape to the RC circuit calculator’s closed form.
How it compares
University PhET sims remain the research gold standard for classroom exploration with rich accessibility and dozens of titles; Physics Lab is a lighter UtilBloom-native set that mirrors every intro tool under /physics—mechanics through RL and LC resonance—with the same local-tab privacy model as Chemistry Studio and Graph Lab. Full schematic capture and MNA live in /circuitlab, not inside these concept scenes. Physics Lab does not embed third-party PhET iframes or claim PhET branding—it is an original UtilBloom workspace inspired by that interactive-lab pattern.
Questions
Is Physics Lab the same as PhET?
No. PhET is an independent University of Colorado project. Physics Lab is UtilBloom’s own interactive workspace covering the full intro physics catalog with in-house engines and UI.
Do simulations upload my parameters?
Ordinary play stays in the browser. Settings hydrate from localStorage on this device. Use the linked /physics calculators when you want printable step lists.
Why is Circuit Lab separate?
Circuit Lab targets schematic capture and DC/transient analysis. Physics Lab’s RC scene teaches the exponential V(t) idea without requiring a netlist editor.
Can I change gravity for projectiles?
Yes. The gravity slider spans values useful for classroom demos, including weaker fields than Earth, so range and flight time respond immediately.
How does the wave sim keep v = fλ?
Changing frequency or wavelength updates wave speed to the product; changing speed adjusts frequency so the traveling wave remains consistent with the wave equation calculator.
Are collisions only one-dimensional?
Yes in this version. The elastic formulas match the 1D collision calculator. Two-dimensional or multi-body labs may appear later without displacing the current rail.