London Gifted & Talented - Space Science Simulations

Customising the Initial State
Universe | Rocket

Customising the initial state of 'Universe'

Here's an example. To start the Universe simulation in its 'default' initial state, try the following web address:

http://www.londongt.org/local/spaceScience/fullScreen.php?movie=universe

To start it in a customised initial state, we add extra information to the web address. For example, the initial horizontal velocity is a variable called v_xv, and its 'default' value is zero. To give the planet a non-zero initial horizontal velocity, try:

http://www.londongt.org/local/spaceScience/fullScreen.php?movie=universe&v_xv=0.5

Complete list of variables for 'Universe'

Both the 'Space Science' simulations allow you to change certain settings.

For example, in 'Universe', you can set up an acceleration law or a velocity law; towards or perpendicular to the sun; proportional to distance, or to distance squared, or... and so on.

And in 'Rocket', you can launch from the Moon, or Earth, or anywhere else in the Solar System; with a payload of whatever mass you like; with a propulsion unit with as many stages as you like, of whatever size you like; and so on.

The easiest way to change these settings is by hand, by playing with the simulation. But what if you want to start up the simulation with particular settings (for a presentation, for example)? This can be done by putting information into the Web address.