Physics Simulations
Interact with the Fragments of the Cosmos educational simulations below.
Developed using the Claude and ChatGPT prompting with p5.js animation library to replicate cosmic phenomena. Designed to enrich science education as Open Educational Resources under a CC-BY-NC 4.0 license.
You are welcome to integrate these resources into classrooms or digital learning environments to spark curiosity and enhance understanding of complex concepts.
Gravitational Wave Simulator 3D
Field of Study: Astrophysics, Gravitational Wave Astronomy
This Gravitational Wave sim provides an interactive visualization of how wave-form disturbances propagate through the fabric of spacetime, and offers a simplified representation of the cosmic phenomenon.
Instructions:
Click and drag to rotate the view and observe the simulation from different angles.
Click anywhere on the grid to create a gravitational wave propagating outwards.
Click multiple times to generate multiple waves and observe their interactions.
Watch as waves dissipate upon reaching the edge of the visible space-time fabric.
Note: Simplified simulation for educational purposes only. Not to scale. Best viewed on a computer/laptop browser. Thanks to OpenProcessing.org for hosting. Click </> to see the code.
Particles gaining mass traversing the Higgs field (2D)
Watch as particles navigate through space, dramatically changing as they encounter the Higgs field. See them slow down and grow, representing mass gain, then shrink and speed up upon exit. Watch this short clip by astrophysicist Brian Greene for a succinct explanation.
Instructions:
Click anywhere to add particles.
Observe how particles entering the Higgs field (central area) slow down and increase in size, representing mass gain.
Watch particles shrink and speed up when exiting, simulating mass loss.
Particles outside the field maintain constant size and speed, representing their natural massless state.
Note: Simplified simulation for educational purposes only. Not to scale. Best viewed on a computer/laptop browser. Thanks to OpenProcessing.org for hosting. Click </> to see the code.
Spacetime (scalar) Curvature Sim (2D)
Best viewed on a computer/laptop browser. Thanks to OpenProcessing.org for hosting.
Instructions:
Use the slider to adjust the strenght of the spacetime curvature.
Note: Simplified simulation for educational purposes only. Not to scale. Click </> to see the code.
Interactive Gravitational Lensing
Experience the mesmerizing effects of gravitational lensing in this interactive simulation, demonstrating the profound impact of massive objects on the path of light in space.
Instructions:
Click and hold anywhere on the canvas to observe how light particles bend around a gravitational source (click).
Release click to reset.
Note: Simplified simulation for educational purposes only. Not to scale.
[Closeup] Interactive Gravitational Lensing 2
Instructions:
Click, hold and move your mouse to see how gravitational lensing occurs.
Note: Simplified simulation for educational purposes only. Not to scale.
LHC ATLAS Experiment 3D
Visualize the ATLAS experiment's detector–showcasing particle collisions and their interactions with different detector layers. Particles are color-coded based on type and leave fading traces to represent their trajectories.
Instructions:
Click and drag to rotate the view.
Note: Simplified simulation for educational purposes only. Not to scale.
Explore more physics sims on my OpenProcessing.org and P5JS.org profiles.
Why P5JS PhysicsEd Simulations work for your classroom:
Reduces Cognitive Load: No equations → pure visualization first, easing learners into later math.
Embodied Learning: Dragging/clicking creates a "body-in-the-loop" understanding (neuroscience shows this boosts retention).
Gateway to Advanced Topics: Opens discussions about the LHC experiments, spacetime topology, or numerical relativity simulations.
Example Classroom Use:
Pre-Lab Exploration:
Example: "Click different locations. How does wave behavior change with distance from the source?"Post-Simulation Analysis:
Example: "Why do waves lose amplitude as they expand? Relate this to energy conservation."