Usually referred to as , this experiment features a blank canvas where colorful circular "balls" (sometimes mistaken for lava-like blobs) respond to your mouse and gravity.
Go to Google.com. Type "Google Gravity" into the search bar. Instead of hitting Enter, click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. This will take you directly to Mr. Doob's experiment page.
The site elgooG hosts a version that restored search functionality after Google discontinued the original API. Mr.doob | Three.js Quake
The most culturally significant project tied to this era is . Created by Mr. Doob in 2009, this experiment took the iconic, pristine Google homepage and subjected it to the laws of Newtonian physics. How It Works Google Gravity Lava Mr Doob
is a Chrome Experiment that applies physics to every element on the Google homepage. The moment you move your mouse, the search bar, buttons, and logo lose their grip and tumble to the bottom of your browser window. Interactive Physics:
Google Gravity Lava typically presents a , with the Google interface elements resting upon it. But the real star is the lava itself. As you interact with the page—dragging elements or simply moving your mouse—streams of glowing, red-orange particles flow and pool across the screen, creating the illusion of molten rock cascading downwards. In some versions, the particles behave like a fluid simulation, gently circulating at the bottom of the screen and reacting to the movement of the falling UI elements. The Lava variant often includes other thematic flourishes, such as smoldering sparks or a subtle heat haze, that make the experience feel less like a cold physics demo and more like playing with a dangerous, mesmerizing natural element. It’s a testament to how a simple change in visual styling can completely transform the emotional impact of an interactive experience.
Google Gravity Slime is a thematic variation where the classic physics simulation is overlaid with a gooey, viscous effect. As you drag the fallen elements around the screen, they don't just slide; they stretch and bounce with a bouncy, oozing quality. The visuals change significantly, creating the sensation that you are interacting with malleable, slightly sticky blobs rather than rigid interface buttons. It adds a layer of tactile, playful gooeyness to the standard experience. Usually referred to as , this experiment features
To understand the "Lava" effect, one must first understand the mind behind the code. Mr.doob is the online alias of , a self-taught graphic designer and computer programmer from Spain. He is widely celebrated for pushing the boundaries of what is possible within a web browser, long before modern HTML5 and WebGL were standard.
While the original Google Gravity is a physics playground, the Lava variant introduces a new dimension: atmosphere.
: You can click and drag the fallen pieces, tossing them around to see them bounce with realistic physics. Where to find it : You can access the original at mrdoob.com or use the restored version at Instead of hitting Enter, click the "I'm Feeling
: A constant downward force is applied to the world.
The experiment uses a physics engine to treat every search element as a solid object.