Physics models matter and its interactions in a world with three spatial dimensions. Predictions of the behavior of a particular system in space are usually in the form of equations. It helps our understanding if we can visualize these predictions. This is particular important for introductory physics courses. Often, if we choose the coordinate system appropriately, two-dimensional visual representations are all that is needed, because either the system under consideration becomes two-dimensional (example: projectile motion), or nothing changes as a function of the third coordinate (example: the gravitational field near Earth's surface). For other system, however, three-dimensional visual representations can give us a better understanding of the behavior of the system in three-dimensional space.
The 3D interactive animations below run in any modern browser. No special plug-ins are needed. Try them out and see if they are helpful to you. Feel free to link to them.
