Using the Matter.js library, I built an interactive physics playground that explores two fundamental aspects of physics simulation: applying forces and handling collision events. This project not only demonstrates the core capabilities of Matter.js but also creates a visually engaging and interactive experience.
The centerpiece of the playground is a controllable cube that reacts to user input. Using the arrow keys, you can push this object in different directions, applying realistic forces that accelerate and decelerate its motion. Around this object, other bodies fall from above, bouncing off surfaces and interacting with the central body. These falling objects change color upon collision, visually signaling their interaction. Static boundaries define the edges of the world, ensuring objects remain within the canvas while responding dynamically to gravity, friction, and restitution.
What makes this project exciting is its interactive nature. By combining user-applied forces and collision events, it demonstrates the responsiveness of Matter.js and highlights how even simple rules can result in rich, emergent behaviors. The physics playground is more than just a demonstration—it’s an example of how computational physics can create engaging, real-time experiences that blend logic with creativity.