Abstract

Systems Physics represents a coherent view of physics. Balance equation, constitutive laws and the well defined role of energy form the framework of this newly developed physics course. According to this scheme, all areas of classical physics are taught in the same way: balance equa-tion, constitutive laws and at last the Energy as an inter-connecting bookkeeper. This unitary structure facilitates the computer-based modeling with a system dynamics tool. Therefore, students at the ZHAW learn physics by forming dynamic models and and not primarily by solving exercises.
In this paper, a few examples from different areas are presented (two PET bottles, space jump world record, Landing gear drop test, wind shear, cats land on their feet, water rocket simulator, Stirling engine). Most of these models have been developed in the past decade in a bachelor degree course for Aviation.