I stumbled across this app last week and quickly found myself engulfed in a this addictive physics/engineering simulator. SimplePhysics is a $.99 app that runs on all iOS devices (iPad/iPod Touch/iPhone) and puts you in charge of building different structures that can withstand a simulated environment designed to mimic a real world event. Your score (either 1, 2 or 3 stars) is awarded based on how cheaply you are build a structure to meet the requirements. Its sort of a digital analogue to the balsa wood or toothpick bridges that are often built in Physics classes but while we were able to test for downward stress using those models this app allows us to test the effect of Tornado strength winds on a skyscraper or rotational stress on a ferris wheel.

This app could easily be used to illustrate reinforce basic concepts of physics or engineering in science class in both a structured or free exploration setting. (And for those of us who may not remember much about designing a bridge aside from using a lot of triangles you can unlock the ideal solutions for $.99)

Personally I would appreciate if the app would give me some suggestions or explanations when my dam failed to hold under the onslaught of a river flood for the 15th time… but perhaps that’ll be in version 2.

Check out SimplePhysics in the iTunes App Store.