Conductivity

Even though the basic concepts that we learn in physics classes tend to govern our reality, we don’t always have the right mindset to understand them. This is why a teacher must have not only a lot of patience and perseverance but also the right tools for the job. A concept like electrical conductivity may seem easy to grasp, but an application that can lead students and pupils to a clearer understanding of the concept would probably be a welcome addition to a physics class. This is exactly what Conductivity is supposed to be.

Conductivity is a Java-animated simulation that is meant to give you a better idea about how electrical conductivity works. There’s nothing fancy about how it looks and functions; you increase a battery’s voltage in order to start sending current. The electricity itself is represented as small moving purple balls.

To understand the principle of conductivity better, you can change the material through which the current flows. Upon switching to plastic, you will notice that electricity stops circulating. When switching to a photoconductor, the current will not flow unless you turn on the flashlight. This is meant to demonstrate how the material becomes electrically conductive only after it absorbs electromagnetic radiation (such as visible light).

While the app won’t blow your mind, I’m sure that it has all the necessary features to allow a teacher to demonstrate the principle of conductivity with more ease. Considering this aspect, it’s safe to say that Conductivity doesn’t fail as an educational application.

Remember that this program’s purpose is to be used in class as a teaching tool; there are no in-app explanations, so there’s a small chance that you’ll actually learn something about electrical conductivity just by looking at all those purple balls.