Gravitational Free-Fall
An object can be given an initial vertical velocity (either positive or negative) and an initial height above the ground. Displayed is the motion of the object and both the distance vs. time and velocity vs. time diagrams.

Law of Falling Bodies:
Two objects that are identical except for their masses are dropped from the same height at the same time. With air resistance set to zero, both balls strike the ground at the same time. As the air resistance is increased, the more massive object will strike the ground first. With enough air resistance the lighter ball is seen to reach a terminal velocity. Displayed is the distance vs. time, velocity vs. time, and the acceleration vs. time diagrams.

Orbiting Satellite
A satellite's distance, velocity, and direction from Earth can be altered by dragging the satellite's location and velocity vector. Displayed is the resulting orbit about the Earth. Also calculated are the orbital parameters of the satellite's period, semimajor axis, eccentricity, perigee and apogee distance, circular satellite velocity, escape velocity, maximum height above the Earth's surface, and the total mechanical energy for 100 kg satellite.

ICBM Launch
A rocket is launched from the Earth's equator in the plane of the equator. Th e rocket's speed and direction can be varied by dragging its velocity vector. Displayed is the resulting orbit of the satellite along with the rotation of the Earth provided we could neglect air resistance.

Binary Star Orbits
The stable orbits of two stars about each other is displaced by specifying their masses, their initial separation, and the eccentricity of their orbits. The resulting action can also be observed from different frames of reference: star 1, star 2, center of mass, and a rocket moving at a constant speed. (IP 3.0 Simulation of Binary Star Orbits - The center of mass frame does work correctly in IP2.5)

Sellar Intruder
A third star disrupts the stable of orbits of a binary star system. The direction and velocity of the stellar intruder can be varied by dragging its velocity vector. The action can be viewed from different frames of reference: star 1, star 2, center of mass, and a rocket moving at a constant speed. (IP3.0 Simulation of Stellar Intruder - The center of mass frame does work correctly in IP2.5)

Vertical Ball Toss Problem
A ball is launched vertically into the air beside a tall building. The objective is to make the maximum rise of the ball equal the height of the building by adjusting the ball's initial upward velocity. Vertical Ball Toss ProblemVertical Vertical Ball Toss QT Movie (400K)

Rising Rocket Problem
A toy rocket has an upward acceleration until its fuel runs out. The speed and height of the rocket are observed in order to determine the maximum height, velocity, and duration of the flight. Both the acceleration and burnout time can be adjusted. Rising Rocket Problem

Long Distance Rock Drop (IP 3.0 Simulation)
A rock is dropped from rest at a large distance from the equator. Shown is the acceleration, velocity, and height of the rock as a function of time as the rock falls to Earth. Also shown is the Earth's rotation during the rock's decent. Long Distance Rock Drop Problem - Long Distance Drop QT Movie (1M)

Equatorial Rocket Launch
A rocket is launched vertically from the equator with just enough velocity so that it will reach a maximum altitude that is equal to the semimajor axis of a geostationary orbit. Displayed is the resulting orbit of the satellite along with the rotation of the Earth. Geostationary Satellite Problem