Helium atom

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Andy's picture
Submitted by Andy on Fri, 10/10/2014 - 18:56

Since version 0.9.1 of VRMath2 Editor, animation has become quite easy. I have previously made a hydrogen atom and now I can't resist to create the second one in the periodic table, the helium atom.

Although my motivation of making these atom simulation or visualisation is mainly to demonstrate the new animation features, I also have many ideas about what learnings can happen for students and what learning experiences can be done by teachers in doing these chemical elements in 3D virtual space. (Btw, did anyone also think about the Big Bang Theory clip? :-) )

Firstly, let me talk about the programming part of making this helium atom. enlightened

A helium atom has two protons (represented in red) and two neutrons (represented in green) in the nucleus, and two electrons orbiting the nucleus. I actually started with the programming of a "wiggling" protons and neutrons. Using TRAVEL command is quite easy to produce this wiggle or wriggle effect.

The traveling path, as can be seen, is slightly moving up and down along the Y axis. With these two single proton and single neutron saved as x3d files (without any NavigationInfo, Viewpoint, Background), I am ready to insert them into the real Helium atom world.

The neutrons and protons are inserted into random locations and directions as can be seen from line 18 to 29, to produce the wriggling effect. Because their directions are random, therefore the wiggle is not just up and down. Every time I run the program above will produce slightly different necleus. Eventually I published this one below.

 As for teaching and learning ideas, I will leave to the comments below. cool

Comments

mathskid's picture

Nice work

Submitted by mathskid on Thu, 16/10/2014 - 16:25.

Really likem the new animation comands (if thats what they're called). Could you create a list of attributes a 3D object has as I'm trying to do some interactive projects.

Thanks a lot, Mathskid

Andy's picture

Interactive projects

Submitted by Andy on Fri, 17/10/2014 - 10:09.

You are most welcome to discuss the interactive projects you have in mind in the forum. I will try my best to assist. cool

Andy's picture

Animation and attributes of 3D object

Submitted by Andy on Thu, 16/10/2014 - 17:16.

I have not yet create video tutorials about animation, but if interested, check out this forum posts for some details. 

https://vrmath2.net/forum/designer-forums/logo-programming-forum

You may also discuss in the forum about what you mean by Attributes of 3D object and what do they do for animation??

Good to see you back. wink

mathskid's picture

Sorry for reapeat

Submitted by mathskid on Thu, 16/10/2014 - 16:31.

Sorry for the repeat. Do you Know how to delete this?

Andy's picture

Need review...

Submitted by Andy on Thu, 16/10/2014 - 17:13.

I just realised that users can't delete own comments... I will investigate. The Webmaster has removed the repeated comment. smiley

Andy's picture

Teaching idea #1: 3D rotation

Submitted by Andy on Wed, 15/10/2014 - 14:24.

If running the above Logo program up to line 15 in VRMath2 Editor, then you will get the orbit with 2 electrons as the image below:

 The tree structure of this virtual world is: 2_electrons_tree.png

Now if applying line 34:  SPIN "obj_0 "tiltright 4, what will happen?

What if then applying line 36: SPIN "obj_1 "right 20, what will happen?

How long (how many seconds) did you see the spins repeat, why?

What if the cycleInterval 4 in number 34 changed to 6, what will happen? and how long will you see a repeat? 

Andy's picture

The tricky 3D rotation

Submitted by Andy on Sat, 18/10/2014 - 10:50.

What happens if:

Line 9 change to EAST 1
Line 13 change to WEST 2