Virtual Physics Lab Simulation Using Unity2D: Light Diffraction Experiment

Abstract

Hands-on experience is essential for comprehending a scientific subject and its lab experiments. Due to the shift towards E-Learning to reduce crowds in educational establishments and to divert away from pandemic risks, the necessity for lab simulation has expanded tremendously. This paper proposes an implementation of a virtual Physics lab with a focus on an example experiment, “Light Diffraction”. This is carried out through digitalizing the lab experiment and providing a way to simulate it using a computer in a gamified and interactive manner. The proposed implementation could easily be varied to present other Physics experiments. Furthermore, scarce physical lab resources no longer would pose a problem. This allows for the preparation, promotion and utilization of many Physics experiments and has the potential to replace the need for a physical lab setting. In turn, it allows for thousands of students to run the same experiment, simultaneously.