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Pixar in a Box
Course: Pixar in a Box > Unit 7
Lesson 2: The physics of particle systems- Start here!
- Graphing motion over time
- Position, velocity and acceleration
- Vector addition
- Velocity and acceleration vectors
- Understanding net forces
- Net forces
- Force and acceleration
- Applying gravity to a particle
- Particle collisions
- Particle collisions
- Animating particles
- Particle calculations
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Start here!
How do computers simulate the motion of virtual particles?
In this lesson we'll explore how we use fairly simple physics to draw particles which move according to the forces we feel in the real world (such as wind & gravity).
We will cover how to draw (and add) forces which act on virtual particles using vectors.
Then we'll explore the relationship between the net force on a particle and the resulting acceleration thanks to Newton's second law of motion.
Finally we'll show you how to calculate the motion of a particle, frame by frame.
After that you'll have all the tools you need to try programming your first particle simulator.
What do I need to know before starting?
- This lesson is appropriate for grades 7+
- To reach the end of this lesson, you should be comfortable solving linear equations by substitution.
- We'll use vectors in this lesson but nothing beyond vector addition and subtraction.
Want to join the conversation?
- Guys, I'm in 3rd Grade, and I don't understand a thing about linear equations,the videos about particle physics and how to make your own one, and I am so interested. It's like there's no logic existing in this world. Go figure! :((25 votes)
- I'm in 5th grade it is awesome you get to spend 40% of your time on a device!(8 votes)
- Do you have to know math to do it?(7 votes)
- I really don't wanna do equations,algebra,arithmetic and e.t.c, but guess what, I have to!!(12 votes)
- i dont understand a thing this is saying(12 votes)
- I'm in 6th grade, and I have a strong interest in animating, but seeing that this course is for middle school, is it still okay if I take part in this course?(8 votes)
- You can learn anything, Hi People out(7 votes)
- im in third grade and i can understand(9 votes)
- cool me too i am also in third grade(5 votes)
- What is this?
i don't understand anything!(9 votes) - This is not math class(6 votes)
- Believe it or not, math is everywhere. It is in any part of the world you see around you. Thanks to it, computers exist! I really recommend you learn math to understand its usefulness and beauty! Good luck!(2 votes)
- Please help me. I don't know these equations. I am struggling like hell.
thanks in advance(3 votes)- to help you, try going back to virtual cameras. the lessons helped me.(4 votes)
- Looks fascinating. What's the most important thing to remember about particle physics?(4 votes)
- It is interesting and much tough for me !!(4 votes)