Mechanics Labs

Mechanics Labs is a cool software that gives students access to ten simulated computer labs right on their PC. You get a CD-ROM packed with lab write-ups and answer keys available in both Word and PDF formats. How convenient is that?

Terminal Velocity Lab

In the Terminal Velocity Lab, students can drop balls made from different materials down a tube while two photo-gate timers track their speed. By moving the bottom photo-gate, they measure the time it takes for the balls to reach different points in the tube. This helps them calculate how fast each ball goes at various spots. Plus, they can create a graph of velocity versus time to see how the balls reach terminal velocity!

Newton's 2nd Law Lab

The Newton's 2nd Law Lab has three air track simulations where students can change the force pulling down and adjust the mass being sped up. Each run shows the final velocity, allowing students to graph and figure out how force, mass, and acceleration are related. The first two simulations give you either the final velocity or the time it takes for a flag to pass through a photo-gate. The third one requires some extra thinking because you need to adjust both the slider mass and added mass to get accurate results.

Resolving The Problem Lab

This lab focuses on angles and forces! Students collect data about two strings holding up a weight by dragging them apart at different angles. They enter this data into an on-screen table which they can print later on. Along with this, they follow directions for vector resolution calculations on paper before answering questions about their findings directly on their computer.

Circular Motion Lab

The Circular Motion Lab lets students play around with mass, radius, and force while measuring how long it takes an object to complete its circular path using an on-screen stopwatch! It's great because changes happen in real-time, giving them insights into how everything connects.

Colliding Pucks Lab

This simulation is all about measuring time and distance as two pucks zoom across the screen and collide! There are five scenarios—some start with one puck at rest—and they include both elastic and inelastic collisions. Before starting each scenario, students set initial velocities and masses of the pucks themselves. Then they calculate momentum and kinetic energies to confirm conservation laws during elastic collisions.

Limitations:

• A trial period of 15 days.

If you're interested in checking out more about Mechanics Labs, head over to SoftPas!