The extensive development of AI- and virtual reality-based technologies in recent years has opened new perspectives on educational tools, making them more immersive and accessible. Bearing in mind that students spend a significant amount of time each day engaging in online and virtual activities (e.g., social networks, computer games, etc.), it is critically important to leverage this and get them interested in science through these kinds of interactive media. This especially refers to fields of science that are traditionally considered demanding to engage in. This paper presents current progress on the development of iMechLab, an interactive virtual laboratory for fundamental mechanics. Our virtual laboratory contains five simulation modules aim at covering different aspects of fundamental problems in mechanics: (1) motion of a rectangular block on a horizontal surface under an external force and friction, (2) motion of a rectangular block down an inclined plane under an external force and friction, (3) a pendulum with adjustable length, mass, and initial angle, (4) a vertically oscillating spring-mass system with damping, and (5) projectile motion under gravity and friction. To realistically emulate system behavior, we developed our own mathematical models based on the laws of mechanics. Users can interactively set the initial parameters for each simulation and observe how the system responds. By combining user input, real-time animations and visualization, and graphical feedback (diagrams that illustrate key aspects of dynamics for selected simulations), iMechLab aims to help future users gain a deeper understanding of mechanical phenomena through an immersive virtual experience.
Šljivak et al. (Wed,) studied this question.