The following interactive 3D model shows a historical post windmill of Dutch design with its essential constructional elements. By clicking on the colored objects, information about the respective component is displayed. Links Description The 3D model depicts a traditional windmill of the type used for centuries to grind grain. Shown are the external components (sails,… Read More »
The following animation illustrates the operation of a PID controller using the example of a water level control system. Control behavior, manipulated variable, and disturbance influence are visualized in real time. Links Animation Description The animation shows a water tank as the controlled system (plant) with an inflow (manipulated variable) and an outflow (disturbance variable).… Read More »
This animation illustrates the different types of projectile motion – from free fall to horizontal, vertical, and oblique throws. A projectile moves along its trajectory. The velocity vector is decomposed into its components in real time. The launch angle, initial velocity, and time can be adjusted interactively. Links Description of the Animation The animation shows… Read More »
The following animation illustrates the forces acting on the rotor of a wind turbine in the rotor plane. The various force components and their vector addition are displayed dynamically during rotation. Links Description of the Animation The animation shows a simplified wind turbine rotor with three blades in a top-down view. Pressing the Start button… Read More »
This animation shows Snell’s law at a curved interface. A light ray strikes the surface and is reflected and refracted. The refractive index is adjustable. The angular relationships between the incident, reflected, and refracted rays are visualized through dynamic angle markers. Links Animation Description The animation shows a light ray emitted from a flashlight striking… Read More »
The following animation illustrates the crank mechanism – the fundamental linkage for converting rotational motion into linear motion. Crank angle, connecting rod inclination, and piston position are visualized in real time. Links Animation Description The animation shows a crank mechanism consisting of a crank, connecting rod, and piston. The play button starts the rotation. The… Read More »
This animation simulates the chaotic behavior of a double pendulum – one of the most famous examples of deterministic chaos systems. Two coupled pendulum arms with adjustable lengths and masses swing under the influence of gravity. The masses can be dragged to any starting position. An angle-time diagram records the evolution of both angles. Links… Read More »
The animation compares the oscillation behavior of two spring-mass systems: one without damping (harmonic oscillation) and one with damping (damped oscillation). Amplitude, frequency, and damping constant are adjustable. The motions are shown both mechanically and in a time diagram. Links Description of the Animation The animation visualizes two fundamental types of mechanical oscillations side by… Read More »
The following animation illustrates the behavior of a series RLC circuit in an AC circuit. Impedance, phase shift, and resonance behavior are visualized in real time. Links Animation Description The animation shows a series RLC circuit with four synchronized displays: circuit diagram, formulas, phasor diagram, and time-domain graph. The start button begins the animation. The… Read More »
The following animation illustrates the principle of electromagnetic induction. A conductor is moved through a magnetic field, with the induced voltage displayed in real time. Links Description of the Animation Move the gray conductor horizontally through the magnetic field of the horseshoe magnet. The current direction is indicated by a red symbol: A dot means… Read More »