Gravity and Orbits

The evolution of technology made it possible for the computer to become a multifunctional tool which aids in all domains of activity, including education. There are tons of specialized applications which can be used to learn about general info or complex science domains. One suitable example is Gravity and Orbits, offering an interactive simulation on gravity.

One advantage in particular is portability, which means there’s no setup involved, and you can carry the application on a thumb drive to use on other computers. What’s more, it relies on Java Runtime Environment to function, and can thus run on other platforms even if not based on a Windows operating system.

There are two modes of operation here, accessed through individual tabs, namely cartoon representation, and scale simulation. The difference is that one puts emphasis on aesthetics for neat visual support and better understanding, while the scale simulation offers a more technical approach, with measuring tools included.

The application teaches the basics of gravity and orbits, using the Sun, Earth, and Moon as points of reference. Up to four different simulation modes can be triggered using the Sun and Earth, Sun, Earth and Moon, Earth and Moon, or Earth and a regular satellite. These modes are available for both types of simulations.

Other process characteristics can be used to determine the size of the star and planet. You can zoom in and out for better view of objects. A set of playback controls let you initiate the simulation at custom speed. It’s also possible to move objects around to study interaction based on object distance, and a ruler can be toggled and used for more accuracy in experiments.

Taking everything into consideration, we can state that Gravity and Orbits is sure to teach you the fundamentals of how and why gravity and orbits work. The two modes are neat, providing visual and technical support, while freedom over simulation behavior and characteristics is sure to make it worth your while.