Seng Kwang Tan

18 September

Geogebra Apps for Singapore Physics

Seng Kwang Tan GeoGebra, Simulations, Teaching Resources 0 Comments

I’ve curated a series of Geogebra apps that are relevant and useful for the instructional objectives under the Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ level syllabi. Some of these apps were created by myself. If you have any ideas for new Geogebra apps, do let me know in the comments section below and I’ll see if it’s possible to create. Alternatively, if you have come across other Geogebra apps that can be relevant to the local physics syllabus, I would gladly include them into my lists!

O level Physics Geogebra Apps
O level Physics Geogebra Apps

Geogebra Apps for A level Physics
A level Physics Geogebra Apps
24 August

Box on a Vertical Oscillating Spring – Geogebra App

Seng Kwang Tan 10 Oscillations, GeoGebra, Simulations 0 Comments

GeoGebra link: https://www.geogebra.org/m/ev62ku7w

Students can explore how varying frequency and amplitude of the vertical oscillation of a platform could cause an object resting on it to temporarily leave the platform (i.e. when normal contact force is zero).

22 August

PV Diagram for an Ideal Gas

Seng Kwang Tan 09 First Law of Thermodynamics, GeoGebra 0 Comments

GeoGebra link: https://www.geogebra.org/m/xyqhfvyw

Applying the 1st Law of Thermodynamics to 4 simple changes on an ideal gas, students can check their understanding using this Geogebra app. When is work done positive? Which processes bring about an increase in internal energy or temperature? Which processes require heat input?

21 August

Geogebra App for Kinematics

Seng Kwang Tan 02 Kinematics, GeoGebra, Simulations 0 Comments

As one of the first topics in A-level physics, kinematics introduces JC students to the variation of velocity and displacement with acceleration. Very often, they struggle with the graphical representations of the 3 variables.

This Geogebra app allows students to vary acceleration (keeping it to a linear function for simplicity) while observing changes to velocity and displacement. Students can also change the initial conditions of velocity and displacement.

The default setting shows an object being thrown upwards with downward gravitational acceleration of 10 m s-2.

The movement of the particle with time is shown on the left with a reference line showing the position on the displacement graph.

GeoGebra link: https://www.geogebra.org/m/qpxcs6vb

20 August

Wavefront

Seng Kwang Tan 11 Wave Motion, GeoGebra, Simulations 0 Comments

In order to help students visualise a wavefront, a 3-D image is usually used to show the imaginary line joining particles in phase. I created the GeoGebra apps below to allow students to change the wavefront and observe it move with time at a constant wave speed. There represent simplified versions of waves on a ripple tank with a linear and circular wavefront.

Linear Wavefront

A wavefront for a linear wave is a straight line that represents points of equal phase, typically generated by a plane wave source. These wavefronts are parallel to each other and move in a uniform direction as the wave propagates.

GeoGebra link: https://www.geogebra.org/m/rbjcszuc

Rotating the first waveform, you can get the displacement-distance profile of a wave, which is basically the cross-section of a 3-D wave.

Circular Wavefront

A wavefront for a circular wave is a continuous line or curve that represents points of equal phase, emanating outward from a central source. In a two-dimensional medium, these wavefronts are concentric circles that expand as the wave propagates away from the source.

GeoGebra link: https://www.geogebra.org/m/axdhtccg