Intro#

Overview#

The Advanced Mode transforms the learning platform into a dynamic, lab-like environment. It is designed to move beyond standard problems and allow for a deeper, more tangible exploration of the fundamental relationships in physics. By enabling direct interaction with simulations as they run, this mode provides a powerful and intuitive way to investigate cause and effect.

Key Features#

The Advanced Mode provides several powerful features to enhance your understanding:

  • Live Configuration Changes: Uniquely, you can alter simulation parameters while a simulation is running. This allows you to instantly observe how physical relationships evolve as you change inputs, providing powerful, real-time insight.

  • Real-Time Visualization: Witness the relationships between physical quantities unfold in real time through integrated, dynamic graphing. As you adjust a variable, the corresponding graph updates instantly.

  • Instant Regression Analysis: For any set of data points generated during an experiment, you can run an immediate regression analysis. This allows you to quantitatively verify the relationships you observe, fitting data to curves and confirming physical laws with statistical evidence.

  • Experimental Scenarios: Set up and run your own virtual experiments. This open-ended environment encourages you to form hypotheses, test them under different conditions, and draw conclusions based on the data you collect.

The Core Philosophy: Exploring Relationships#

At its core, physics is about understanding the relationships between different quantities—how a change in one variable affects another. The Advanced Mode is built to make these relationships clear and intuitive.

You can explore these connections in a truly dynamic way. For example, start a simulation of a block sliding down a ramp, and then increase the angle of inclination mid-run. You will see the acceleration change instantly on the graph. For every adjustment you make, you can perform a quick regression to confirm the mathematical nature of that relationship—is it linear, quadratic, or something else? This immediate feedback loop of action, observation, and analysis is what makes the Advanced Mode such a powerful learning tool.

Powerful Graphing with Desmos#

To provide a best-in-class visualization experience, we have integrated the powerful Desmos graphing calculator directly into the Advanced Mode.

  • Seamless Integration: Desmos is embedded within the interface, so you can plot your experimental data and visualize functions without ever leaving the environment.

  • Dynamic Graphing: As you adjust variables in your physics simulation, the Desmos graphs update instantly, providing immediate visual feedback on the changing relationships.

  • Full Functionality: Access the full suite of Desmos features, including sliders, tables, and function definitions, to conduct in-depth analysis and create meaningful visual representations of physical laws.

Getting Started#

  1. Navigate to the Advanced Mode tab on the main dashboard.

  2. Select a simulation and press Start.

  3. Use the control panel to adjust variables while the simulation is running.

  4. Observe the real-time changes in both the simulation and the integrated graph.

  5. For any set of data points, use the analysis tools to run a regression and quantitatively describe the relationship.

Hint

Don’t be afraid to experiment! The best insights often come from testing “what if” scenarios. Change a parameter unexpectedly and see if you can explain the result using the principles of physics. This mode is your personal virtual laboratory.