Physics 105: Introduction to Computational Physics

Course Instructor (Spring 2016):

Prof. Michel Vallieres

Teaching Assistant: Mr. Joseph Glaser

  Lectures:     Disque 704, Tu Th 9:30 am - 11:00 pm (001), 11:00 am - 12:30 pm (002)
  Office:       Disque 805 (Vallieres), 808 (Glaser) 
  Office Hours: by appointment
  Phone:        (215) 895-2714
  Fax:          (215) 895-2940

  e-mail:       vallieres (at) physics.drexel.edu, gaiser (at) physics.drexel.edu
  course:       phys105 (at) physics.drexel.edu
  sysadmin:	sysadmin (at) physics.drexel.edu

Course Outline

Course Overview

This is the first in a series of hands-on "computational labs" designed to complement the traditional lecture/lab/recitation Physics instructional sequence. It is intended to be taken immediately after the first two parts of the Contemporary Physics sequence, or their equivalent (for example, the "Fundamentals of Physics" PHYS 101/102 sequence would also serve as a suitable introduction). Students will be introduced to basic scientific programming techniques and problem-solving strategies using examples and case studies drawn from the material presented in the introductory Physics courses (see course outline).

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to:

explain why computational methods must often be used in theoretical physics to extend traditional analytical techniques
write a simple program to calculate the motion of a particle in a given force field
discuss the relative merits of different types of integration scheme, and explain why time reversibility is important to the long-term stability of a numerical method
apply numerical methods to compute planetary motion in the solar system, adapting to the large range of time scales involved

Topics

Introduction to Linux
Simple programming and graphics using C++ and python
Uniformly accelerated motion in 1 and 2 dimensions
Non-uniformly accelerated motion
- Numerical determination of trajectories
- Example: Projectile motion with air resistance
- Example: Simple harmonic motion
- Example: Orbital motion
Numerical integration of functions
Conservation of energy
- Force and potential energy
- Conservative and non-conservative motion
- Friction and viscosity
Dynamical systems with variable forces, dissipative forces, and complex geometries

Text

There is no set text for this course. Material will be drawn as needed from the Contemporary Physics syllabus, and distributed via this Web page.

Evaluation

Grading will be based on 6 homeworks, accounting for 60% of the total grade. There will be one in-class mid-term examination, worth 20% of the total grade and based on the in-class exercises. The final will take the form of an extended homework to be started during the last class period and to be due the next day -- no exceptions! It will be worth 20% of the total grade.

Homework Format

Homeworks will be assigned on the course Web page, and are expected to be turned in electronically, via e-mail to phys105@physics.drexel.edu. Homeworks will involve writing programs to solve problems, printing out the solutions, and likely plotting graphs of the results. To ensure that all of your work is clearly presented, your solution should begin with a cover page containing the homework number and your name(!), and a brief description of the material that follows. Your solution to each problem should begin by presenting all of the written answers and numerical solutions requested, followed by graphs, tables, programs, etc., in the order listed on the cover page. All answers should be clearly marked, and all graphs and program listings should be clearly labeled. More detailed instructions on preparing and formatting your homework are presented in the course web pages.

This URL: physics.drexel.edu/~valliere/PHYS105