How Things Work Simulations

This simulation allows you to see how a radio transmitter's antenna produces a radio wave and how a radio receiver's antenna responds to that wave. In addition to observing the structure of the wave itself, you can send information on the wave using either AM (amplitude modulation) or FM (frequency modulation) techniques.

The simulation itself is accessible only from virginia.edu IP addresses. To access it, click here: radio simulation

Please post feedback about the simulation below this blog entry. I'm particularly interested in any errors, typos, or confusions that you find in the simulation.

Lou Bloomfield

This simulation allows you to see how a power adapter converts relatively high voltage AC power into relatively low voltage DC power. You can also remove components from the adapter to get a better sense for the purposes of those components.

The simulation itself is accessible only from virginia.edu IP addresses. To access it, click here: power adapter simulation

Please post feedback about the simulation below this blog entry. I'm particularly interested in any errors, typos, or confusions that you find in the simulation.

Lou Bloomfield

This simulation allows you to play with a distribution system that carries AC power from a wind generating plant to a faraway community. You can experiment with transformers to vary voltages and currents, and you can observe the effects of resistances in the transmission lines carrying the power from place to place.

The simulation itself is accessible only from virginia.edu IP addresses. To access it, click here: power distribution simulation

Please post feedback about the simulation below this blog entry. I'm particularly interested in any errors, typos, or confusions that you find in the simulation.

Lou Bloomfield

This simulation allows you to experiment with a flashlight and its circuitry. The purpose of this simulation is to show you how power flows from the batteries to the bulb and why the bulb must be matched to the batteries. You can change the number and orientation of the batteries, along with the characteristics of the bulb.

The simulation itself is accessible only from virginia.edu IP addresses. To access it, click here: flashlight simulation

Please post feedback about the simulation below this blog entry. I'm particularly interested in any errors, typos, or confusions that you find in the simulation.

Lou Bloomfield

This simulation allows you to collide two bumper cars and see how they behave after the collision. The purpose of the simulation is to show you how two objects exchange momentum and energy when they bounce off one another. You can adjust the masses and velocities of the two cars and then watch them hit each other.

The simulation itself is accessible only from virginia.edu IP addresses. To access it, click here: bumper car simulation.

Please post feedback about the simulation below this blog entry. I'm particularly interested in any errors, typos, or confusions that you find in the simulation.

Lou Bloomfield

This simulation allows you to pull an ice skater back and forth across frictionless ice, using an elastic cord. The purpose of the simulation is to show you how something moves when it is either free of forces or subject only to a single force. You use the mouse to connect the elastic cord to skater and pull the skater by stretching that cord. The skater accelerates in response to the cord's pull.

The simulation itself is accessible only from virginia.edu IP addresses. To access it, click here: skating simulation.

Please post feedback about the simulation below this blog entry. I'm particularly interested in any errors, typos, or confusions that you find in the simulation.

Lou Bloomfield