Physics Engine

A software library that applies Newtonian mechanics (gravity, friction, collision) to digital objects, delivering real-time, believable physical dynamics for interactive simulations.

A Physics Engine is the core technology that calculates and simulates physical interactions within a virtual environment. It handles complex rigid-body dynamics: specifically collision detection, collision response, and force application (gravity, friction, momentum). Major commercial examples include Havok and NVIDIA PhysX, essential components in triple-A gaming titles like *Elden Ring* and *Borderlands 4*. The engine abstracts the complex mathematics, allowing developers to focus on design while ensuring objects behave predictably—a dropped crate falls, a vehicle rolls, and thousands of particles scatter efficiently.

https://www.havok.com/