Simulations to illustrate the examples



The text in the book points to many more simulations than are listed here.  Some of those listed below are not really relevant to the book but are included for amusement.  To find the more serious ones, you might have to read the book!

Interactive simulations


1.  Moon lander

Land the lunar module.  You have limited fuel and must touch down in the safe zone at under five metres per scond.

It is linked here.

2. Rotations - axes in aircraft mode


Slide the mouse over the control bars to adjust the axes.

Click here.

3.  Rotations - a cube of balls


Slide the mouse over the control bars to adjust the axes.


Click here.

4.  Simulating an orbit. 


Change the starting velocity to see the satellite move in an ellipse.

Click here.

5.  An orbiting near-Earth satellite.


A recent TV programme showed a satellite boosting into a higher orbit by firing its rocket downwards.
Is that really the right thing to do?

Put the satellite into a steady orbit at a height of 1000 km.

Click here.

6.  Newton's cradle

Click on the balls to set them moving.
'View Source' to see how it's done.

Click here.

7.  A billiards game

Although greatly simplified, this shows how to model impacts and decelerating drag.
'View source' to see the code.  Could you enhance it to include 'side'?

Click here.

8. A Galilean cannon

Hold a ping-pong ball on top of a tennis ball, drop them together and see the ping-pong ball bounce high.
There is a YouTube example at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6SKQYfpqHc
What is the theoretical maximum height it can reach, if I can select a variety of masses for the balls?  First calculations suggest nine times the starting height, but try 40 for the ratio to be surprised.

Click here.

9. A row of pendulum balls making patterns

Click here

10. Modes of vibration of masses and springs

Click here