Phet

PhET Interactive Simulations - Free Online Interactive Science Simulation Platform

What is PhET Interactive Simulations?

PhET Interactive Simulations is a free online interactive science simulation platform developed by the University of Colorado Boulder. It is specifically designed for students, teachers, and users interested in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and mathematics. Through rich interactive simulation tools, the website helps users better understand scientific principles, addressing challenges like difficulty in learning abstract concepts and limitations in experimental conditions. The target audience includes K-12 students at all stages, university students in introductory courses, science teachers, educators, and self-learners.

Why Choose PhET Interactive Simulations?

Users choose PhET Interactive Simulations for the following unique benefits:

• All simulation content is completely free; users only need online access to use it, with no worries about costs or installation issues.
• The platform gathers over 150 interactive simulation experiments covering mainstream scientific fields, making knowledge learning more intuitive and engaging.
• The website supports multiple languages, suitable for users in different regions worldwide, and has been widely used in teaching and self-learning scenarios globally.
• Many simulation experiments come with teacher resources, making it easy for teachers to prepare lessons, assign tasks, and engage in classroom interactions.
• The operation is very simple and easy to use, requiring no professional background or software foundation; even beginners can quickly experience it.

Core Features of PhET Interactive Simulations

• Interactive Science Simulation Tools
  Users can directly operate simulation models in the browser, change variable parameters, observe changes in scientific phenomena, and help understand principles. For example: dynamic circuits in physics, natural selection in biology.

• Multi-Disciplinary Coverage
  The platform covers physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, mathematics, and other fields, meeting the needs of learners at different stages and providing convenience for interdisciplinary learning.

• Teacher Teaching Resources
  The website provides detailed teaching guides, experiment handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and more for teachers in languages such as Chinese and English, facilitating interactive teaching between teachers and students.

• Local and Online Multi-Mode Support
  Users can choose to use simulation experiments directly online or download some simulation content for offline operation, adapting to various teaching environments.

• Multi-Language Interface and Localization Support
  Most simulation content supports language switching, including Chinese, meeting the usage habits and language needs of users in the vast majority of regions.

How to Start Using PhET Interactive Simulations?

1. Visit the official website https://phet.colorado.edu/.
2. Based on your learning needs, select a "Subject" from the top navigation bar on the homepage or use the search box to enter a desired topic, such as "Ohm's Law" or "Molecular Structure."
3. Click on the simulation experiment you are interested in to enter the interactive page. Most simulations support direct web operation without requiring plugin installation.
4. On the experiment page, follow the interface button prompts to operate parameters and observe results. If you need teaching materials or experiment guides, you can find related resources at the bottom of the experiment page and download them for free.

Tips for Using PhET Interactive Simulations

• Tip 1: Use the "Language" Option
  It is recommended to first switch the page language to "Simplified Chinese" or "Traditional Chinese" for easier understanding of operation instructions and teaching resource content.

• Tip 2: Teacher Users Can Download Ready-Made Presentation Templates in the "Lesson Plans" Section
  After downloading, they can be directly used for course design, group discussions, or even science competitions, making teaching more effortless.

• Tip 3: Make Good Use of Filtering and Tagging Functions
  On the left side of the homepage, you can filter by tags such as grade level, subject, and experiment type to quickly and accurately find suitable experiment projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PhET Interactive Simulations

Q: Is PhET Interactive Simulations available now?
A: Yes, it is available. Users can directly visit the official PhET Interactive Simulations website at https://phet.colorado.edu/ and experience all simulation content online on supported devices (computers, phones, tablets, etc.).

Q: What exactly can PhET Interactive Simulations help me do?
A: PhET Interactive Simulations can help you conduct online science experiments, verify scientific principles, visually present difficult points in physics, chemistry, biology, and other subjects, and assist self-learners in systematically reviewing classroom content. Teachers can also use it for lesson preparation, homework assignments, and interactive demonstrations. For example, physics teachers can use it to demonstrate circuit building, and students can use it to self-study chemical molecular configuration changes.

Q: Is there a fee to use PhET Interactive Simulations?
A: All core simulation content and basic teaching materials in PhET Interactive Simulations are free. Some features (such as customized resource downloads, personalized teacher management tools, etc.) may require prior registration or application for relevant permissions, but no fees are charged.

Q: When was PhET Interactive Simulations launched?
A: PhET Interactive Simulations was launched around 2002 by the team at the University of Colorado Boulder and has been continuously updated to this day.

Q: Compared to GeoGebra, which one is more suitable for me?
A: PhET Interactive Simulations focuses on providing operable, intuitive science experiment simulations, covering multiple fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology, making it suitable for experimental teaching and principle exploration. GeoGebra is mainly used for mathematics education, emphasizing graphic drawing and algebraic calculations, making it suitable for content involving geometry, functions, and advanced mathematics. If you value scientific principle visualization and simulation interaction, PhET Interactive Simulations will be more convenient to operate; if you focus on mathematical formula derivation and dynamic geometry construction, GeoGebra will be more suitable.

Q: Is PhET Interactive Simulations suitable for primary and secondary school students?
A: PhET Interactive Simulations is suitable for students in upper primary grades and above. Many experiments on the platform are designed for middle school, high school, and introductory university levels, but some content can also be used by primary school students. Teachers and parents can choose appropriate types based on students' cognitive levels.

Q: Do simulation contents require additional software installation?
A: Most PhET simulation content can be opened directly in the browser without requiring additional software. Some early or special simulations may require Java or Flash support, but the official website is continuously migrating to the HTML5 standard to ensure access on all mainstream devices.

Q: How can users participate in content translation or suggestions?
A: PhET Interactive Simulations has user-involved localization and content feedback channels. You can click "Translate" at the bottom of the website or join the community to submit suggestions and collectively optimize simulation content.