You can change the number of blocks (from 1 to 3) and their starting positions. You can
change parameters such as mass, spring stiffness, spring length and damping (friction).
You can apply a spring force with your mouse to any block.
An advantage of using small stiff springs to do collision handling is that you don't
have to
back up in time
after detecting a collision. A disadvantage is that you have to take very small time
steps, at least when objects are close enough to be capable of colliding. Small time
steps are needed because the springs are stiff and small.
Using springs for collision handling is also discussed on the page about
Multiple Simultaneous Collisions.
Also available are:
open source code,
documentation and a
simple-compiled version
which is more customizable.
This web page was first published November 2016.