Physics 20: Numerical Methods I

Course Description

• 6 units (0-6-0)
• Prerequisites: CS 1 or equivalent experience with computers
• Offered first, second and third terms

Topics covered

• Introduction to computing and its applications to problems in classical mechanics. Symbolic manipulation programs and expert systems for doing mathematics. Numerical integration, and numerical simulation of differential equations of motion.

1. Introduction to Symbolic Computing ps
   (Handout: how to "forget" values in Maple mws)
2. More Symbolic Computing: Accelerated motion with drag ps
3. Language Programming: Lissajou figures and beats ps
4. Basic numerical integration ps
5. Integrating ODEs ps
6. Return of the ODEs: higher order methods ps
7. Three-body problem ps