Outline
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Ananda Dasgupta1
1 Department
of Physics St. Xaviers College Kolkata
e-mail : a dasgupta [email protected] website : www.geocities.com/a dasgupta in
20th November 2005
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Outline
Outline
1
Simulation in the Physics Classroom Why teach simulations? The Python programming language Why use Python? Simulations - an example Simulating the oscillator Results The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion Some useful links
Dasgupta Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Outline
Outline
1
Simulation in the Physics Classroom Why teach simulations? The Python programming language Why use Python? Simulations - an example Simulating the oscillator Results The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion Some useful links
Dasgupta Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Outline
Outline
1
Simulation in the Physics Classroom Why teach simulations? The Python programming language Why use Python? Simulations - an example Simulating the oscillator Results The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion Some useful links
Dasgupta Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Outline
Outline
1
Simulation in the Physics Classroom Why teach simulations? The Python programming language Why use Python? Simulations - an example Simulating the oscillator Results The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion Some useful links
Dasgupta Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Outline
Outline
1
Simulation in the Physics Classroom Why teach simulations? The Python programming language Why use Python? Simulations - an example Simulating the oscillator Results The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion Some useful links
Dasgupta Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
Why teach Simulations?
Enhances student comprehension Allows deeper explorations Trains in precision
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
Why teach Simulations?
Enhances student comprehension Allows deeper explorations Trains in precision
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
Why teach Simulations?
Enhances student comprehension Allows deeper explorations Trains in precision
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
Why teach Simulations?
Enhances student comprehension Allows deeper explorations Trains in precision
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
The implementation
The philosophy No Advanced numerical methods Advanced programming Yet Advanced Physics
The OS issue MS - Windows Linux The language issue FORTRAN C Java Python
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
The implementation
The philosophy No Advanced numerical methods Advanced programming Yet Advanced Physics
The OS issue MS - Windows Linux The language issue FORTRAN C Java Python
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
The implementation
The philosophy No Advanced numerical methods Advanced programming Yet Advanced Physics
The OS issue MS - Windows Linux The language issue FORTRAN C Java Python
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
The implementation
The philosophy No Advanced numerical methods Advanced programming Yet Advanced Physics
The OS issue MS - Windows Linux The language issue FORTRAN C Java Python
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
The implementation
The philosophy No Advanced numerical methods Advanced programming Yet Advanced Physics
The OS issue MS - Windows Linux The language issue FORTRAN C Java Python
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why teach simulations?
The implementation
The philosophy No Advanced numerical methods Advanced programming Yet Advanced Physics
The OS issue MS - Windows Linux The language issue FORTRAN C Java Python
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Example : The Hello World Program C: # include<stdio.h> void main() { printf(Hello world); } Python : print Hello world
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free
Python evolved as a language for teaching computer science concepts so the language overhead is deliberately kept at a minimum. An interpreted language - allows one to use the interpreter in the interactive mode to help understand concepts
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free
A general purpose language Supports structural, functional and object oriented programming Powerful modules available
numeric gnuplot visual (aka vPython)
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free Glue language C extensions for added speed
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free Interpreters are available (for free) for both Linux and MS-Windows
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Why use Python ?
Simple Easy to learn Powerful Extensible Platform independent Open Source Free
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Using Python - the downside
Unconventional Slow
No longer! The google search engine uses python extensively - so does Linux!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Why use Python?
Using Python - the downside
Unconventional Slow
No longer an issue at todays computer speeds!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
An example - Euler algorithm for the SHM
The algorithm : Initialize time, velocity, position . Calculate force from F = kx Calculate accleration from a =
F m vnew +vold 2
Calculate new velocity : vnew = vold + v = vold + a t Calculate new position : xnew = xold + Update the time tnew = told + t Keep on repeating until nal time is reached. Change the force law for other motions!! t
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
The Python Program
... while (t <= tf) : F = -k * x a= F/m vn = v + a * deltat x = x + (v+vn)*deltat /2 v = vn t = t + deltat print t,v,x
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Output for the Simple harmonic oscillator
The undamped oscillator
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Output for the Simple harmonic oscillator
SHO - viscous drag F = -k * x -gamma*v
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Output for the Simple harmonic oscillator
SHO - with kinetic friction - what does the envelope look like?
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Output for the Simple harmonic oscillator
SHO - with kinetic friction
if v >= 0.0: F = -k*x - mu*m*g else: F = -k*x + mu*m*g
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Output for the Simple harmonic oscillator
SHO - with kinetic friction
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Phase space plots for the oscillator
The undamped oscillator
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Phase space plots for the oscillator
SHO - viscous drag
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Simulating the oscillator
Phase space plots for the oscillator
SHO - with kinetic friction
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Experience on the eld
So far, two batches of students have taken this course. 2003-04 2 theory classes / week. 3 periods lab / twice every three weeks Yearend project. 2004-05 No theory classes Lab with prepared instruction sheets Projects alloted.
Both batches did reasonably well. The major problem that we faced is the lack of a good book using python in physuics simulations. So - we wrote one!
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
To solve :
2V 2V + =0 x 2 y 2 V (i + 1, j) + V (i 1, j) + V (i, j + 1) + V (i, j 1) 4
we use the nite dierence version V (i, j) =
Start from any initial set of V (i, j) and iterate until the eld does not change appreciably.
Dasgupta Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Solving Laplaces equation - a student project
Solving Laplaces equation in a rectangular domain by the relaxation method
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Motion of a charged particle - a student project
Using the vPython module for visualizing the motion of a charged particle in crossed electric and magnetic elds.
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
The story so far Plotting elds Charged particle motion
Motion of a charged particle - a student project
Using the vPython module for visualizing the motion of a charged particle in crossed electric and magnetic elds.
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Some useful websites :
The ocial Python site www.python.org www.enthought.com visual.org www.thinkpython.com diveintopython.org starship.skyport.net/crew/hinsen downloads documentation links forum jobs ...
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Some useful websites :
www.python.org www.enthought.com visual.org www.thinkpython.com diveintopython.org starship.skyport.net/crew/hinsen For MS-Windows - a nicely packaged python suite with a good collection of useful modules.
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Some useful websites :
www.python.org www.enthought.com visual.org www.thinkpython.com diveintopython.org starship.skyport.net/crew/hinsen Home of the Visual module aka vPython - a nice module for generating 3D animations.
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Some useful websites :
www.python.org www.enthought.com visual.org www.thinkpython.com diveintopython.org starship.skyport.net/crew/hinsen Home of the book How to think like a computer scientist - in Python - nice book, especially for beginning programmers.
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Some useful websites :
www.python.org www.enthought.com visual.org www.thinkpython.com diveintopython.org starship.skyport.net/crew/hinsen Home of the book Dive into Python - for more advanced programmers.
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
Simulation in the Physics Classroom The Python programming language Simulations - an example Results Some useful links
Some useful websites :
www.python.org www.enthought.com visual.org www.thinkpython.com diveintopython.org starship.skyport.net/crew/hinsen Homepage of the scientic python module
Dasgupta
Simulation in the Undergraduate Physics Classroom
