  Often mistakenly seen as a game, the online 3D immersive virtual world Second
Life (SL) is itself a huge and sophisticated simulator of an entire Earthlike
world. Differently from other metaverses where physical laws are not seriously
taken into account, objects created in SL are automatically controlled by a
powerful physics engine software. Despite that, it has been used mostly as a
mere place for exploration and inquiry, with emphasis on group interaction.
This article reports on a study conducted to evaluate the SL environment as a
platform for physical simulations and microworlds. It begins by discussing a
few relevant features of SL and a few differences found between it and
traditional simulators e.g. Modellus. Finally, the SL environment as a platform
for physical simulations and microworlds is evaluated. Some concrete examples
of simulations in SL, including two of our own authorship, will be presented
briefly in order to clarify and enrich both discussion and analysis. However,
implementation of simulations in SL is not without drawbacks like the lack of
experience many teachers have with programming and the differences found
between SL Physics and Newtonian Physics. Despite of that, findings suggest it
may possible for teachers to overcome these obstacles.

Physics Education;Computers and Society