The Solar System Hierarchy

Run MicroSim in Fullscreen

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<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/p5-textbook/sims/the-solar-system-hierarchy/main.html" width="100%" height="487px"></iframe>

Description

Explore hierarchical matrix transformations with nested push(), translate(), rotate(), and pop() stacks (Sun -> Earth -> Moon).

Learning Objectives

• Primary Goal: Students will master hierarchical transformation matrices and local coordinate system nesting in p5.js.
• Bloom's Taxonomy Level: Understand

How to Use

Interact with the visual elements and adjust the control sliders and buttons located beneath the simulation canvas to explore how parameter changes affect the output in real time.

Lesson Plan

Prerequisites

• Understanding of basic coordinate systems and p5.js sketch execution.
• Familiarity with variables and interactive event handling.

Interactive Exploration

1. Observe the default initial state of the simulation.
2. Adjust the sliders systematically to observe the range of behaviors.
3. Compare the visual feedback against the theoretical concepts presented in the chapter.

Assessment Questions

• How does changing each individual parameter influence the resulting visual output?
• What underlying algorithm or mathematical model governs the state transitions shown in the simulation?

References

1. p5.js Reference Documentation - Official p5.js documentation and API guides.
2. Processing Foundation - Educational resources for creative coding.