🔬 Simulations
★★★ Advanced
Water Ripples
Drop stones on a calm pool and watch concentric ripples expand and interfere — GLSL height field.
How a Rainbow Forms
Refraction and dispersion of light in raindrops. Snell's law and
the 42° Descartes angle. Why a rainbow has a distinct angle.
Beginner
Pendulum & Chaos
The simple pendulum is the heart of the clock. The double pendulum
demonstrates chaotic behaviour arising from deterministic equations.
Beginner
Elastic Collisions
Conservation of momentum and energy in collisions of balls. Why a
ball "stops" when it strikes another head-on.
Beginner
Waves & Interference
Standing waves, interference and resonance. Why some sounds are
louder — the principle of wave superposition.
Beginner
Atmospheric Convection
Why does hot air rise? Bénard convection cells and the formation
of clouds.
Intermediate
Fluids & the Bernoulli Effect
Bernoulli's principle: speed ↑ → pressure ↓. Explains how aircraft
fly, how a carburettor works and the shower-curtain effect.
Intermediate
Why the Sky is Blue
Rayleigh scattering: I ∝ 1/λ⁴ — shorter wavelengths (blue) scatter
more strongly. Why sunsets are orange while the sky is blue.
Beginner
Why Ice Floats
The density anomaly of water: H₂O is denser at 4°C than when
frozen. A model of molecular bonds and the hydrogen-bond anomaly.
Beginner
Doppler Effect
Change in frequency due to relative motion of the source. The
formula f' = f(v±v_o)/(v∓v_s). Applications: radar, ECG, the
redshift of stars.
Intermediate
Boomerang & Gyroscope
Gyroscopic precession and aerodynamic lift. Why a boomerang
returns — moments of force and torque.
Intermediate
📐 Key Concepts
Rayleigh Scattering
The intensity of scattered light I ∝ 1/λ⁴. Blue light (~450 nm)
scatters about 5.5 times more strongly than red (~700 nm) — which
is why the sky is blue.
Bernoulli's Principle
P + ½ρv² + ρgh = const along a streamline. An increase in fluid
speed reduces pressure. Explains aircraft lift and the Coandă effect.
Archimedes' Principle
Buoyant force F = ρfluid·Vdisplaced·g. A body
floats if its average density is less than that of the fluid.
Doppler Effect
f' = f·(v + vo)/(v − vs). As the source
approaches, frequency rises; as it recedes, frequency falls. The
basis of Doppler radar and the cosmological redshift.
Snell's Dispersion
n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂. The refractive index depends on wavelength —
which is why a prism splits white light and a rainbow forms.
Angular Momentum
L = Iω is conserved in an isolated system. Gyroscopic precession
ωp = τ/L explains the stability of a bicycle, a
spinning top and a boomerang.
📖 Learning Resources
Wave Equation & Resonance
Navier–Stokes & Bernoulli’s Principle
Heat Transfer: Conduction, Convection, Radiation
🔗 Related Categories
🌟 Everyday physics is the best way to start learning
science. Every ordinary phenomenon hides a mathematical beauty: from
the scattering of light to the aerodynamics of a boomerang. These
simulations answer the "why" behind the things you see every day.
Key Concepts
Topics and algorithms you'll explore in this category
Interactive ModelReal-time browser simulation with live parameter controls
WebGL / Canvas 2DHardware-accelerated rendering in the browser
Mathematical FoundationDifferential equations and numerical integration
Open SourceMIT-licensed code — inspect, fork, and learn
No Install RequiredRuns directly in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Educational FocusBuilt to explain the underlying science clearly
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this simulation category
- Do these simulations require installation?
- No. Every simulation runs entirely in your web browser using WebGL and Canvas 2D. Nothing to install or download — open the page and the simulation starts immediately.
- Can I use these simulations for teaching?
- Yes — all simulations are designed to be educational and run without an account or login. They are widely used in university lectures, high-school science classes, and self-directed learning. Embed them via iframe or link directly.
- What devices do the simulations support?
- All simulations work on desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari). Many work on mobile and tablets too, though some physics-heavy simulations benefit from the GPU performance of a desktop or laptop.