learnhive labs
“here we connect and innovate”
Simulation Usage Guide
Quick, 3-step starting points for all 121 simulations — enough to get going in a classroom or on your own, without reading a manual.
Physics (54)
Atomic Interactions
Launch →- Choose a pair of atoms from the dropdown menu.
- Drag one atom closer to or farther from the other.
- Watch the force graph and the atoms' motion respond to attraction and repulsion.
Balloons and Static Electricity
Launch →- Rub the balloon back and forth on the sweater using your mouse.
- Move the charged balloon near the wall or the other balloon.
- Turn on 'Show all charges' to see the static charge build-up visually.
Bending Light
Launch →- Choose the 'Intro' tab and pick two materials for the light to pass through.
- Drag the light source or rotate the protractor to change the angle.
- Watch the light bend at the boundary and read the angle values.
Blackbody Spectrum
Launch →- Drag the temperature slider to heat or cool the object.
- Watch the emitted light's color and the spectrum graph shift.
- Compare against the sun or a light bulb using the preset buttons.
Build a Nucleus
Launch →- Add protons and neutrons using the plus/minus buttons.
- Watch the element name and stability indicator update as you build.
- Try the 'Symbol' or 'Game' tab to test identifying stable vs unstable nuclei.
Buoyancy
Launch →- Choose a material block and drop it into the fluid.
- Change the fluid density using the dropdown or slider.
- Read the mass, volume, and force values to see why it floats or sinks.
Buoyancy: Basics
Launch →- Drop different blocks into the water one at a time.
- Watch which ones float and which sink.
- Check the density readout to connect it to the result.
Capacitor Lab: Basics
Launch →- Connect the battery to the capacitor using the switch.
- Drag the plate separation or plate area sliders.
- Watch the voltage, charge, and stored energy values change.
Charges and Fields
Launch →- Drag positive and negative charges onto the workspace.
- Turn on 'Electric Field' and 'Grid' to visualize the field lines.
- Drop an E-field sensor to measure field strength at any point.
Circuit Construction Kit: AC
Launch →- Drag a battery/AC source and components onto the workboard.
- Wire them together by dragging between connection points.
- Add a voltmeter or ammeter and watch the readings change over time.
Circuit Construction Kit: AC – Virtual Lab
Launch →- Build a circuit using the realistic component tray.
- Connect a multimeter to measure voltage or current.
- Adjust component values and observe how readings change.
Circuit Construction Kit: DC
Launch →- Drag a battery, wires, and a bulb or resistor onto the board.
- Connect them into a closed loop by dragging wire ends together.
- Add a voltmeter/ammeter to measure the circuit's behavior.
Circuit Construction Kit: DC – Virtual Lab
Launch →- Build a circuit on the realistic breadboard-style layout.
- Use the multimeter probes to test different points in the circuit.
- Change resistor or battery values and re-measure.
Collision Lab
Launch →- Set the mass and initial velocity for each ball.
- Press play and let the balls collide.
- Check the momentum and kinetic energy values before and after.
Color Vision
Launch →- Turn on one or more colored lights (red, green, blue).
- Aim them at the flashlight target or the person's eye view.
- Adjust each light's intensity and watch the perceived color change.
Coulomb's Law
Launch →- Set the charge of each particle using the sliders.
- Drag the particles closer together or farther apart.
- Read the force value and see how it matches Coulomb's Law.
Density
Launch →- Choose a preset object or make a custom block with a mass/volume slider.
- Drop it into the water tank.
- Read the density value and see whether it floats or sinks.
Diffusion
Launch →- Choose the number of particles for each gas type.
- Remove the divider between the two chambers.
- Watch the particles mix over time toward an even spread.
Energy Forms and Changes
Launch →- Drag a heat source (like a burner) under an object such as a pan or brick.
- Watch the energy chunks (light, heat, motion) move and transform.
- Try the 'Energy Systems' tab to link a whole chain — sun to generator to house.
Energy Skate Park
Launch →- Pick a track shape and place the skater on it.
- Press play and let the skater move along the track.
- Watch the energy bar graph switch between kinetic and potential energy.
Energy Skate Park: Basics
Launch →- Choose a track and release the skater.
- Watch them move back and forth along the track.
- Check the energy graph to see kinetic and potential energy trade off.
Faraday's Electromagnetic Lab
Launch →- Drag the bar magnet through the coil of wire.
- Watch the lightbulb or voltmeter respond to the magnet's motion.
- Try changing the number of coil loops and repeat.
Faraday's Law
Launch →- Move the magnet in and out of the coil.
- Watch the induced current and voltage readouts.
- Flip the magnet or change coil turns and compare the effect.
Forces and Motion: Basics
Launch →- Choose the 'Motion' or 'Friction' tab.
- Apply force to the object using the push/pull control or set applied force directly.
- Watch the resulting velocity, acceleration, and force diagram.
Fourier: Making Waves
Launch →- Adjust the amplitude sliders for several individual sine waves.
- Watch them sum together into a combined wave shape.
- Try the preset waveforms (square, sawtooth) to see their component frequencies.
Friction
Launch →- Drag the object across the surface using your mouse.
- Change the surface type or the applied force.
- Watch the temperature and friction force indicators respond.
Generator
Launch →- Turn the crank or connect the water wheel/magnet to spin the coil.
- Watch the light bulb light up as you generate current.
- Try changing the number of magnets or coil loops.
Geometric Optics
Launch →- Choose a lens or mirror and set its focal length.
- Drag the object and watch the image form.
- Move the object closer or farther and observe how the image changes.
Geometric Optics: Basics
Launch →- Place a lens between the object and the viewing screen.
- Drag the object to different distances from the lens.
- Watch how the image size, orientation, and position change.
Gravity and Orbits
Launch →- Pick a system (like Sun and planet) from the tabs.
- Set the initial velocity of the orbiting body.
- Press play and watch whether the orbit is stable, escapes, or crashes.
Gravity Force Lab
Launch →- Set the mass of each object using the sliders.
- Drag the objects closer together or farther apart.
- Read the gravitational force value and see how it changes.
Gravity Force Lab: Basics
Launch →- Adjust each object's mass with the sliders.
- Move the objects along the track to change distance.
- Watch the force arrows resize to match the new force.
Hooke's Law
Launch →- Hang a weight or apply a pulling force on the spring.
- Read the resulting displacement on the ruler.
- Adjust the spring constant and repeat to see the relationship.
John Travoltage
Launch →- Drag John's foot back and forth across the carpet.
- Watch static charge build up as sparks appear on his finger.
- Move his hand near the doorknob to release the built-up charge.
Kepler's Laws
Launch →- Choose a planet and set its orbit parameters.
- Press play and watch it trace an elliptical path.
- Turn on the area/period tools to verify Kepler's second and third laws.
Magnet and Compass
Launch →- Drag the compass around the bar magnet.
- Watch the compass needle align with the magnetic field.
- Switch to Earth's field view to compare with a planetary magnet.
Magnets and Electromagnets
Launch →- Start with the permanent bar magnet and a compass.
- Switch to the electromagnet tab and turn on the current.
- Change the current strength and coil turns to see the field strength shift.
Masses and Springs
Launch →- Hang a chosen mass on a spring.
- Let it settle, then pull and release to set it oscillating.
- Use the stopwatch and ruler to measure period and displacement.
Masses and Springs: Basics
Launch →- Hang a mass on the spring.
- Pull it down and release to start it bouncing.
- Watch the period change if you swap to a different mass.
Models of the Hydrogen Atom
Launch →- Choose a historical model (Billiard Ball, Bohr, Schrödinger, etc.).
- Shine light on the simulated atom and watch how it responds.
- Switch models and compare how each explains the same observation.
My Solar System
Launch →- Choose a preset system or set your own mass, position, and velocity for each body.
- Press play and watch the resulting orbits.
- Adjust values and replay to see stable vs. unstable orbits.
Normal Modes
Launch →- Choose the number of masses connected by springs.
- Select a normal mode or manually displace the masses.
- Press play and watch the characteristic vibration pattern.
Ohm's Law
Launch →- Set the resistance using the resistor slider.
- Set the voltage using the battery slider.
- Read the resulting current and check it against V = IR.
Pendulum Lab
Launch →- Set the pendulum's length and starting angle.
- Release it and use the stopwatch to time the period.
- Change length or mass and compare periods.
Projectile Motion
Launch →- Choose a projectile and set launch angle and speed.
- Fire it and watch it trace its trajectory.
- Check the range, height, and time-of-flight readouts.
Quantum Coin Toss
Launch →- Flip the classical coin first and note the result.
- Switch to the quantum coin and 'measure' it.
- Compare how measurement affects the quantum outcome versus the classical one.
Quantum Measurement
Launch →- Prepare the quantum system in a chosen state.
- Choose a measurement basis or device.
- Run repeated measurements and observe the probability distribution of outcomes.
Resistance in a Wire
Launch →- Adjust the wire's length using the slider.
- Adjust the wire's thickness (cross-sectional area).
- Try different materials and read the resulting resistance value.
Rutherford Scattering
Launch →- Choose the 'Plum Pudding' or 'Rutherford Atom' model.
- Fire alpha particles at the simulated atom.
- Compare the scattering pattern between models to see what reveals the nucleus.
Sound Waves
Launch →- Turn on the speaker and adjust frequency and amplitude.
- Watch the pressure wave animation move through the air.
- Switch to 'Measure' mode to read wavelength and frequency values.
Under Pressure
Launch →- Choose a container shape and fill it with a fluid.
- Drag a pressure gauge to different depths.
- Change the fluid density and compare pressure readings.
Wave Interference
Launch →- Choose one or two wave sources (water, sound, or light).
- Turn them on and watch the ripples overlap.
- Look for the interference pattern where waves add up or cancel out.
Wave on a String
Launch →- Choose 'Manual', 'Oscillate', or 'Pulse' mode.
- Shake or trigger the end of the string.
- Adjust tension, damping, or frequency and watch the wave change.
Waves Intro
Launch →- Pick water, sound, or light as the wave type.
- Turn on the oscillator to generate a wave.
- Adjust amplitude and frequency and observe the wave shape.
Chemistry (19)
Acid-Base Solutions
Launch →- Pick a preset solution or build a custom acid/base with the concentration slider.
- Dip the pH meter or paper into the beaker to read the pH.
- Switch to 'Solvent View' to watch the actual ratio of ions and molecules change.
Balancing Chemical Equations
Launch →- Choose an unbalanced equation from Introduction, or build your own in the Game mode.
- Click the up/down arrows to change coefficients until both sides match.
- Watch the molecule counts and bar charts confirm the balance in real time.
Beer's Law Lab
Launch →- Select a solute and drag the concentration slider to change solution strength.
- Use the sliders to adjust the cuvette width (path length) as well.
- Read the absorbance/transmittance value on the on-screen detector.
Build a Molecule
Launch →- Drag atoms from the left tray onto the workspace to start bonding them.
- Connect atoms until you form a real, valid molecule — invalid combos won't bond.
- Check the molecule name and formula that appears, or collect it in the 3D view.
Build an Atom
Launch →- Drag protons, neutrons, and electrons from the bins into the atom.
- Watch the element name, mass number, and charge update as you add particles.
- Switch to the 'Game' tab to test yourself building specific elements or ions.
Concentration
Launch →- Pick a solute and drag the concentration slider or add/remove solid.
- Use 'Solute Amount' vs 'Concentration' toggle to see the difference.
- Compare against a saturated solution to see when it stops dissolving.
Gas Properties
Launch →- Pump gas particles into the container using the pump handle.
- Change the container size, or heat/cool with the flame/ice tools.
- Watch the pressure gauge and particle speed respond to your changes.
Gases Intro
Launch →- Add gas particles to the container and note the pressure reading.
- Drag the container wall to change its volume.
- Try heating or cooling to see how temperature affects pressure and volume.
Isotopes and Atomic Mass
Launch →- Pick an element, then add or remove neutrons to change the isotope.
- Compare the isotope's abundance and mass on the periodic table view.
- Switch to 'Mixtures' to build a natural sample and calculate average atomic mass.
Molarity
Launch →- Choose a solute and set the amount using the moles or grams slider.
- Adjust the solution volume with the volume slider.
- Watch how molarity recalculates as you change either value.
Molecule Polarity
Launch →- Start with the two-atom molecule and adjust each atom's electronegativity.
- Turn on the bond dipole and molecular dipole arrows to see the pull direction.
- Move to the 'Real Molecules' tab to see polarity in actual compounds.
Molecule Shapes
Launch →- Add bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom using the buttons.
- Watch the 3D shape reorganize itself to minimize electron repulsion.
- Toggle 'Name' and 'Bond Angle' to check the geometry you've built.
Molecule Shapes: Basics
Launch →- Add electron pairs around the central atom one at a time.
- Observe how the 3D shape changes as you add more pairs.
- Show the shape name to check it against what you predicted.
Molecules and Light
Launch →- Choose a molecule and a type of light (microwave, infrared, visible, UV).
- Turn on the light source and watch how the molecule responds — vibrating, rotating, or breaking apart.
- Try the 'Multiple Molecules' tab to compare absorption across several gases at once.
pH Scale
Launch →- Pick a substance from the drop-down or dip a custom liquid.
- Read the pH value shown by the meter or litmus paper.
- Switch to 'Micro' view to see the actual ratio of H3O+ to OH- ions.
pH Scale: Basics
Launch →- Choose a household substance from the list.
- Test it with the pH meter or probe.
- Compare a few substances to see which are acidic vs basic.
Reactants, Products and Leftovers
Launch →- Pick a reaction (like making a sandwich or a real chemical equation).
- Set the starting amount of each reactant using the sliders.
- See how much product forms and what's left over once one reactant runs out.
States of Matter
Launch →- Pick a substance (like water or a generic atom) from the tabs.
- Drag the temperature slider up or down, or use the pump to change pressure.
- Watch the particles rearrange between solid, liquid, and gas phases.
States of Matter: Basics
Launch →- Choose a substance and set its starting state.
- Heat or cool it using the thermometer control.
- Watch the particles' arrangement change between solid, liquid, and gas.
Biology (4)
Gene Expression Essentials
Launch →- Choose a gene to turn on inside the simulated cell.
- Watch RNA polymerase transcribe it into mRNA.
- Follow the mRNA to the ribosome and watch translation build a protein.
Membrane Transport
Launch →- Add molecules to one side of the cell membrane.
- Add the relevant transport channel or pump if needed.
- Watch how the molecules move across and whether concentration equalizes.
Natural Selection
Launch →- Start a rabbit population with a chosen trait.
- Add an environmental factor like a food shortage or predator.
- Run several generations and watch which traits become more common.
Neuron
Launch →- Stimulate the neuron using the trigger button or a stimulus.
- Watch the action potential travel down the axon.
- Switch to 'Chart' view to see voltage and ion channel activity over time.
Earth Science (1)
Greenhouse Effect
Launch →- Choose a time period or set your own greenhouse gas concentration.
- Watch sunlight enter and infrared energy try to leave the atmosphere.
- Check the resulting surface temperature reading.
Math (43)
Area Builder
Launch →- Drag square tiles onto the grid to build a shape.
- Read the area and perimeter counters as you build.
- Try the 'Game' tab to match a target area or perimeter.
Area Model Algebra
Launch →- Set the width and height of the rectangle using algebraic expressions.
- Watch the rectangle split into a grid of partial products.
- Add up the partial areas to find the total expanded expression.
Area Model Decimals
Launch →- Enter two decimal numbers to multiply.
- Watch the rectangle divide into a grid representing each partial product.
- Add the partial products to confirm the final answer.
Area Model Introduction
Launch →- Set a rectangle's width and height using the sliders.
- Watch it fill with unit squares.
- Count the squares to connect the area to multiplication.
Area Model Multiplication
Launch →- Enter two multi-digit numbers to multiply.
- Watch the grid break each number into place-value parts.
- Sum the partial products shown in each grid cell.
Arithmetic
Launch →- Pick an operation — addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
- Solve the on-screen problem at your own pace.
- Increase the difficulty level once you're comfortable.
Balancing Act
Launch →- Drag objects onto either side of the see-saw.
- Watch it tip based on weight and distance from the center.
- Try to balance it, then check the underlying torque values.
Build a Fraction
Launch →- Drag numerator and denominator pieces to build a fraction.
- Compare it visually against shapes or a number line.
- Try the 'Game' tab to match target fractions.
Calculus Grapher
Launch →- Sketch or choose a function on the graph.
- Toggle the derivative or integral view.
- Compare how the original function's slope matches the derivative curve.
Center and Variability
Launch →- Add data points to a data set by dragging or clicking.
- Watch the mean and median markers update.
- Move points around to see how spread affects variability measures.
Curve Fitting
Launch →- Plot or generate a set of data points.
- Choose a curve type (linear, quadratic, etc.) to fit.
- Adjust the fit and watch the residuals shrink or grow.
Equality Explorer
Launch →- Add number or variable items to each side of the balance.
- Keep both sides balanced as you simplify.
- Solve for the unknown by isolating it on one side.
Equality Explorer: Basics
Launch →- Add items to each pan of the balance scale.
- Adjust items to make both sides equal.
- Check your solution against the equation shown.
Equality Explorer: Two Variables
Launch →- Add two different unknowns' items to the balance.
- Adjust quantities of each to keep the scale level.
- Solve the resulting system by testing values.
Expression Exchange
Launch →- Drag variable and number blocks onto the mat.
- Combine like terms by grouping matching blocks.
- Read the simplified expression that results.
Fraction Matcher
Launch →- Look at a fraction shown as a shape, number, or number line.
- Find its match among the other representations.
- Move to 'Mixed Numbers' for a harder challenge.
Fractions: Equality
Launch →- Build two fractions using the numerator/denominator controls.
- Compare their shaded shapes side by side.
- Check whether they're equal, and simplify if needed.
Fractions: Intro
Launch →- Set a numerator and denominator using the sliders.
- Watch the shape or number line fill in to match.
- Try different denominators to compare fraction sizes.
Fractions: Mixed Numbers
Launch →- Build a fraction greater than one using the controls.
- Watch it convert between improper fraction and mixed number form.
- Compare it on the number line.
Function Builder
Launch →- Feed a number into the function machine.
- Note the output it produces.
- Try several inputs to figure out the machine's hidden rule.
Function Builder: Basics
Launch →- Send a number through a single function machine.
- Watch the output change.
- Try a few more numbers to identify the pattern.
Graphing Lines
Launch →- Set a line's slope and y-intercept using the sliders.
- Watch the graph update instantly.
- Switch to 'Point-Slope' or 'Standard Form' to see the same line differently.
Graphing Quadratics
Launch →- Adjust the a, b, and c coefficients of a quadratic.
- Watch the parabola change shape and position.
- Find the roots, vertex, and axis of symmetry from the graph.
Graphing Slope-Intercept
Launch →- Change the slope value and watch the line's steepness shift.
- Change the y-intercept and watch where it crosses the axis.
- Try matching a target line shown on the graph.
Least-Squares Regression
Launch →- Add or generate a scatter plot of data points.
- Turn on the best-fit line.
- Watch the residuals and see how the line minimizes total error.
Make a Ten
Launch →- Combine number blocks to build a total of ten.
- Try different combinations that all equal ten.
- Move to larger targets once ten feels easy.
Mean: Share and Balance
Launch →- Distribute a set of items across several groups.
- Even out the groups until each has the same amount.
- Compare the leveled-out amount to the calculated mean.
Number Compare
Launch →- Look at two groups of objects or numbers.
- Decide which is greater, less, or equal.
- Check your answer against the on-screen comparison.
Number Line: Distance
Launch →- Place two points on the number line.
- Count or calculate the distance between them.
- Check your answer against the measured distance shown.
Number Line: Integers
Launch →- Place positive and negative numbers on the number line.
- Practice ordering them from least to greatest.
- Try addition or subtraction as jumps along the line.
Number Line: Operations
Launch →- Start at a number on the line.
- Perform an addition or subtraction as a jump.
- Read off the resulting landing point.
Number Pairs
Launch →- Pick a target total number.
- Find different pairs of numbers that add up to it.
- Try a new total once you've found several pairs.
Number Play
Launch →- Choose objects or numbers to explore freely.
- Group, count, and rearrange them however you like.
- Notice patterns in how the numbers combine.
Plinko Probability
Launch →- Drop one or many balls through the pegboard.
- Watch where they land at the bottom.
- Run many drops and compare the resulting distribution to a theoretical prediction.
Projectile Data Lab
Launch →- Launch a projectile using set angle and speed.
- Repeat the launch multiple times to collect a data set.
- Analyze the spread and variability in landing distances.
Projectile Sampling Distributions
Launch →- Launch repeated trials with the same settings.
- Collect the resulting sample statistics (like mean distance).
- Compare sample-to-sample variation against the theoretical distribution.
Proportion Playground
Launch →- Set one quantity's value using the slider.
- Watch the proportionally linked quantity update automatically.
- Change the ratio and observe how both quantities respond.
Quadrilateral
Launch →- Drag a corner of the shape to reshape it.
- Watch the side lengths, angles, and shape name update.
- Try to form specific shapes like a square, rhombus, or trapezoid.
Ratio and Proportion
Launch →- Set the value of one quantity in a ratio pair.
- Watch the second quantity adjust to keep the ratio constant.
- Change the ratio itself and observe the new relationship.
Trig Tour
Launch →- Drag the point around the unit circle.
- Watch the sine and cosine values update on the side graphs.
- Note the angle in degrees or radians as it changes.
Unit Rates
Launch →- Enter a quantity and its cost or amount.
- Calculate the rate per single unit.
- Compare rates across different items or scenarios.
Vector Addition
Launch →- Drag vectors onto the workspace.
- Arrange them head-to-tail or use the component grid.
- Read off the resultant vector's magnitude and direction.
Vector Addition: Equations
Launch →- Write vectors in component form.
- Add or subtract them algebraically.
- Check your answer against the graphical resultant vector.
The steps on this page are quick-start notes to get a simulation running. For the real pedagogy behind each one — non-obvious controls, common student misconceptions, modeling assumptions, and full contributed lesson plans and worksheets — that lives directly on PhET’s own site, behind a free educator account. Students never need to register — every simulation is playable with no account at all. The account is only for teachers who want the deeper teaching material.
Register for a Free PhET Educator Account
Straight from PhET’s Help Center: educators register to download teacher-submitted activities, access teacher tips, and watch teacher primer videos. Register on PhET →
- Go to PhET’s registration page and choose your account type (educator).
- Fill out your contact information and continue.
- Describe your classroom or teaching role, then submit registration.
- Confirm your account via the email PhET sends you — check spam if it doesn’t arrive.
- Once signed in, open any simulation’s page on phet.colorado.edu and look for “Tips for Teachers” to access the full teacher’s guide, or visit the Activities section for contributed lesson plans, homework, and worksheets.
Also worth knowing: PhET runs its own Teaching with PhET guidance on classroom pedagogy generally (not tied to one sim), and a searchable Activities Database of hundreds of ready-to-use lesson plans built around specific simulations.
Step summaries are original quick-start notes written for LearnHive Labs. All simulations are provided by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, used under their attribution requirements for HTML5 simulations. For in-depth teacher guides on any simulation, see PhET’s own “Tips for Teachers” on each simulation’s page at phet.colorado.edu.