Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about using OpenLab Science for teaching and self-study.

Is OpenLab Science free?

Yes — OpenLab Science is free for personal educational use. Students and teachers can run simulations and tutorials in the browser without paying or installing software.

What grade levels is OpenLab Science for?

The platform is designed for high school physics, AP Physics 1 and 2, introductory college courses, homeschool, and motivated self-study.

Do I need to install anything?

No. OpenLab Science runs entirely in a modern web browser on desktop, laptop, Chromebook, or tablet.

What devices are supported?

Any device with a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Touch and mouse input are both supported.

How is OpenLab different from PhET?

OpenLab lets students build scenes from components, press Play, and read live SI measurements with formulas that substitute their actual numbers. Every preset includes a guided step-by-step tutorial.

Is it suitable for AP Physics?

Yes. Topics include kinematics, forces, energy, circuits, waves, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics concepts commonly tested on AP exams.

How many tutorials are included?

137 guided tutorials — one for each experiment preset across eight lab modules.

Are measurements in SI units?

Yes. Speed, force, energy, voltage, wavelength, and other quantities are measured live in SI units with the governing formula shown.

Do students need an account?

No account is required to open labs and run tutorials. Optional AI tutor features may require separate setup.

Can I use it in the classroom?

Yes. Project a simulation, share an experiment URL, or let students follow tutorials at their own pace on any device.

Does it work on Chromebooks?

Yes. Because it is browser-based, Chromebooks are fully supported with no installation.

What languages are supported?

The interface is available in 13 languages including English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Turkish.