The movement of a pendulum can be studied with an online simulation.
Physical science includes sciences that do not deal with living organisms. Physics, inorganic chemistry and geology are examples of physical sciences. In school you can take a course called physical science, which serves as an introduction to these fields. A great way to stimulate interest in the subject is to look for online simulations and activities illustrating principles of the field.
The Basics
Elementary science classes will likely cover such topics as magnets, electricity, rocks and volcanoes. By high school you will be looking at models of molecules and the atom, studying energy and motion, and looking at simple non-organic chemistry. In the classroom simulations will be hands-on projects such as building an erupting volcano, studying solutions and suspensions and of course making some sort of atomic model. In 2011 your teacher will have done some research into on-line sources to help you out.
Universities Offer Free Sites
There are many places on the Internet where you can find simulations of experiments and interactive learning sites. Many universities, including the University of Colorado, offer free sites with interactive activities and simulations for kids. They can see magnets running through coils to produce electricity or can watch springs bouncing and learn to understand the basics of periodic motion. Remember that if you have an advanced search on your browser such as Yahoo or Google do, you can enter ".edu" in the domain reference when you search for physical science simulations.
Other Ideas
There are other companies on the Internet that will either sell you software or a license to simulate phenomena in physical science. You can also enter the particular type of simulation you want on your browser. This, however, can be a little bit frustrating. You will receive an overwhelming number of results, some of which work and others that don't. Once again, you can filter off the chaff by using the advanced search function on your browser and enter domains such as ".edu," ".org," ".net" and ".gov."
Games
There are also sites that offer a multitude of science games. For younger kids they are broken up into categories such as living things, physical phenomena, solids and liquids and will often include math activities. These games are often interactive and one way or another teach the subject while being enjoyable for the learner. Part of the process of a game can include manipulating something like a magnet to achieve your goal, which is a kind of simulation of the process.
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