Crocodile Physics

by Crocodile Clips

Crocodile Physics is a powerful but easy-to-use simulator that lets you model a range of models in electricity, motion and forces, optics and waves. Simply drag parts from the toolbars at the side of the screen, and move or position them as you wish; they start simulating straight away. Click on them to edit settings, and plot graphs to analyse data from your experiment.

Set up in seconds using a lesson kit
The 46 lesson kits in Crocodile Physics are designed around the science curriculum, and make it much easier to set up simulations. Each deals with a particular topic from the new GCSE science curriculum.

In each lesson kit folder, you’ll find a starter model. This is a ready-made environment where you can set up the simulation. You’ll also find a range of simulation parts, already set up for you, and a set of instructions. Just drag them onto the screen and your simulation is ready to go.

Present simulations on a white board
These lesson kits are ideal for presenting in front of a class using a whiteboard - as well as letting students create their own models. The lesson kit folder holds all the customised parts you’ll need. The starter model has the graphs, backgrounds and parameters already set up, too. You’re free to concentrate on teaching.

Bright graphics and clear animations help to illustrate the topics, revealing hidden concepts. The display is fully customisable and every part can be moved and edited to suit your needs. There’s also a whiteboard mode, to display the simulation full-screen and hide the toolbars.

Change setting quickly and easily
Unlike other simulation and modelling software, Crocodile Physics isn’t just a series of limited animations: it’s a full, flexible simulator. While the lesson kits make set-up easier, you’re still free to edit parameters and add or move parts as you wish. This means you can teach in your own style, and respond flexibly to questions from your students.

Simulate real-life examples
Most parts in your simulation can be customised. For example, change the mass and elasticity of a ball, or the focal length of a lens, or the phase offset of an AC supply. This flexibility means that you'll never exhaust the possibilities with Crocodile Physics. You can change parameters to help you illustrate how different materials behave, the effects of changing conditions, how energy is transformed - and much much more.

It also helps with differentiation - for example, when you're looking to extend more able students, or simplify topics for younger pupils. With the new lesson kits, though, you only change settings when you want to; you don’t need to build the whole model from scratch. Then, when you're comfortable with how the software works, you can start to tinker with the simulation parameters.

The lesson kits also offer a wealth of real-life contexts for your simulations - like energy in the home, or how real devices like cameras work, or explanations of different physical phenomena.

Graph data in real-time
The powerful graph tool will now plot any quantity on either axis - for example, voltage against current - as well as plotting against time. It’s easy to set up, though - add the graph, drag a target symbol onto the object whose properties you want to study, and choose what to plot. Graphs are plotted in real-time, sitting alongside the animated graphics on-screen.

There are many other ways to get data from your reactions: spinboxes follow individual values, and you can hold your mouse over parts for quick readings.

Let students experiment freely
You can also let your students experiment using the simulator - giving them a safe and easy-to-use virtual lab. This is ideal for coursework, revision or group activities. It encourages scientific enquiry, and lets them study reactions that aren’t possible or practical in real life. It's also very useful as preparation for pratical work, offering an 'ideal world' free from experimental error to compare with the real experiment.