myPhysicsLab vs PhysicsPlayground
myPhysicsLab
myphysicslab.comPhysicsPlayground
physicsplayground.orgSide by side
| Figure | myPhysicsLab | PhysicsPlayground |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 8.8 (#4) | 7.6 (#50) |
| Audience | The simulations include explanations of their underlying mathematics and the site describes the project as an online science museum effort. | The maker says the tools are built by a physics instructor for physics teachers. |
| Delivery mode | hybrid | web |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Lesson library | Yes | Yes |
| Maker | The author says he is a self-employed software engineer living in Seattle, Washington, and that he started developing the site in 2001. | The site identifies Michael Wish as the maker and describes him as a Marine turned physics instructor. |
| Purpose | myPhysicsLab provides interactive, real-time animated physics simulations that users can change by dragging objects and adjusting parameters. | Physics Playground provides interactive physics simulations designed for classroom teaching. |
| 3D visuals | No | Yes |
Plans
In their own words
myPhysicsLab
myPhysicsLab is a free, open-source project with interactive physics simulations and JavaScript classes for building animated models. Simulations run in real time, and users can drag objects or change parameters such as gravity. Its library includes examples such as pendulums, springs, colliding blocks, roller coasters, billiards, and molecular models. Many simulation pages explain the mathematics behind the models. Users can customize simulations with EasyScript or JavaScript in a browser and text editor, then share a setup through a URL that embeds EasyScript. Numeric results can be retrieved through VarsHistory, JavaScript, or collision-data scripts. Downloadable versions can be used offline. The source code is available on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 License. The simulations do not specify measurement units, so values need to be used consistently within each model. Building from source requires TypeScript, esbuild, Perl, and GNU Make. The project began in 2001, and its maker is based in Seattle, Washington.
PhysicsPlayground
PhysicsPlayground has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.