PICUPCal Poly Pomona 2013 Workshop

Computational Physics for Undergraduate Physics Courses

August 4-9, 2013

Computation in Introductory MechanicsK. Roos, Bradley University

Computational Skills and Learning Objectivesfor Intro mechanics and E&M

* Realization: dynamics, not accessible analytically, can be studied* Euler method* Euler Cromer method* Spreadsheet familiarity* Basic error consideration* Critical assessment of results* How to move beyond spreadsheet, and what to move to

Does anybody really teach with spreadsheets anymore?(They’re not very educationally trendy.)

(Isn’t it a program for business majors andothers who are technologically/mathematically challenged?)

* Free (Open Office)* Ubiquitous* Industry use/marketable skills* Educational advantage – visualization of finite elements* No time for program training; need something students can pick up quick* It works; but not sexy or trendy

Mode of Implementation at BUMainly in the Labs

Week LAB Exercise1 COMP 1D Kinematics w/Spreadsheet2 LAB 1D Motion Free Fall3 LAB F = ma4 REC Analytical Problem Solving5 COMP/LAB 1D Free Fall w/Air Resistance6 COMP 2D Free Fall w/Air resistance7 LAB Impulse Curves8 REC Analytical Problem Solving9 COMP Saturn V Rocket10 REC Analytical Problem Solving11 COMP Orbital Motion12 LAB Fluids13 LAB SHO14 COMP Damped Driven SHO

Computational Modules

1D Free Fall Determining Damping factor (Drag Coefficient) of a Sports Ball in Vertical Free Fall

2D Free FallRealistic Projectile Realistic Trajectory of a 16” World War II Battleship Gun

Rocket MotionModeling the launch and flight of a Saturn V rocket: How do we get to the moon?

Orbital MotionMoon’s orbit about Earth

Trans Lunar InjectionPlanet’s orbit about Sun

Damped Driven Simple Harmonic OscillatorSHO with damping and driving terms

Resonance