Introduction to Computational Physics for Undergraduates

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Weber, Fridolin.

Contributor:

Zubairi, Omair.

Institute of Physics (Great Britain), publisher.

Series:

IOP Ebooks Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematical physics.

Physics--Data processing.

Physics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (145 pages)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

Bristol [England] (Temple Circus, Temple Way, Bristol BS1 6HG, UK) : IOP Publishing, [2024]

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader, EPUB reader, or Kindle reader.

Biography/History:

Omair Zubairi received his BSc and MSc in Physics from San Diego State University. He obtained his PhD in Computational Science from Claremont Graduate University and San Diego State University where he primarily worked on compact star physics. His other research interests include general relativity, numerical astrophysics and computational methods and techniques. Omair is a dedicated educator in physics and computational science. He has taught students from all backgrounds in many areas of physics from the introductory sequence to upper division courses where he incorporates numerical methods and computational techniques into each course. 'By allowing students to see and apply numerical simulations to various topics covered in lectures, they are able to gain invaluable insight into the problem at hand. Fridolin Weber is a Distinguished Professor of Physics at San Diego State University and a Research Scientist at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on nuclear and particle processes in extreme astrophysical systems, such as neutron stars and supernovae. His interests also include quantum many-body theory applied to nuclear and dense quark matter, relativistic astrophysics, quantum gravity, and Einstein's theory of general relativity. He has published five books, co-authored over 250 papers, and given over 300 talks at national and international conferences and physics schools.

Summary:

This book offers a practical introduction to computational physics for undergraduates, teaching essential numerical methods and programming skills to solve real-world physics problems across various domains.

Contents:

Intro

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This second edition of Introduction to Computational Physics for Undergraduates represents a substantial update, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern computational physics education. Based on modern Fortran, this book provides a rigorous foundation in coding and algorithm development, with explicit Python examples included to visually illustrate numerical data. The first edition was well-received, and in response to feedback from students and instructors

Acknowledgements

Author biographies

Omair Zubairi

Fridolin Weber

Chapter The Linux/Unix operating system

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Files and directories

1.2.1 Pathnames and working directories

1.2.2 Filenames

1.3 Overview of Unix/Linux commands

1.3.1 Executables and paths

1.3.2 Special files

1.4 Basic commands

1.4.1 Getting help and information

1.4.2 Communicating with other computers

1.4.3 Creating, manipulating, and viewing files and directories

1.5 More on the C-shell

1.5.1 Shell variables

1.5.2 Environment variables

1.5.3 C-shell pattern matching

1.5.4 Using the C-shell history and event mechanisms

1.5.5 Standard input, standard output, and standard error

1.5.6 Redirecting input and output

1.5.7 Pipelines

1.5.8 Usage of quotes

Chapter Text editors

2.1 Vi

2.2 Emacs

Chapter The Fortran 90 programming language

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Early development

3.1.2 Standardization

3.1.3 Fortran 90

3.1.4 Strengths and weaknesses

3.2 Compilers

3.2.1 File extensions and compiling commands

3.3 Program layout

3.4 Variable declaration

3.4.1 Naming conventions

3.4.2 Data types

3.5 Basic expressions

3.5.1 Arithmetic operators and expressions

3.5.2 Relational operators

3.5.3 Logical expressions.

3.6 Input and output

3.6.1 The READ statement

3.6.2 The WRITE statement

3.6.3 The FORMAT specification

3.6.4 File input and output (I/O)

3.7 Control structures

3.7.1 IF-blocks

3.7.2 DO loops

3.7.3 Nested loops

3.8 Modular programming

3.8.1 Intrinsic functions

3.8.2 Intrinsic subroutines

3.8.3 External functions

3.8.4 External subroutines

3.8.5 Program units

3.8.6 Internal procedures

3.8.7 External procedures

3.8.8 Modules

3.9 Arrays

3.9.1 Declaration of arrays

3.9.2 Vectors

3.9.3 Using arrays

3.9.4 Array operations

3.9.5 Elemental functions

3.9.6 The WHERE statement

3.9.7 FORALL (Fortran 95)

3.9.8 Array intrinsic functions

3.9.9 Allocatable arrays

3.9.10 Pointers

References

Chapter Numerical techniques

4.1 Curve fitting-method of least squares

4.1.1 The linear least-squares approximation

4.1.2 The quadratic least-squares approximation

4.2 The cubic spline approximation

4.3 Numerical differentiation

4.4 Numerical integration

4.4.1 The trapezoidal rule

4.4.2 Simpson's rule

4.5 Monte Carlo integration

4.5.1 Mathematical background of MC integration

4.5.2 Convergence and the law of large numbers

4.5.3 Variance and error estimation

4.5.4 Generalization to higher dimensions

4.6 Matrix operations

4.7 Finding roots

4.8 Solving ordinary differential equations

4.8.1 The Euler method

4.8.2 The midpoint method

4.8.3 The Runge-Kutta method

4.8.4 Boundary value problems

Chapter Problem solving methodologies

5.1 General guidelines

5.2 Projectile motion example

Chapter Worksheet assignments

6.1 Coding a mathematical expression

6.2 Comparing two functions

6.3 Bessel functions of the first kind

6.4 Logical IF statements

6.5 Lead concentration in humans.

6.6 Nested Do loops and double summations

6.7 Least squares fit

6.8 Numerical derivatives

6.9 Numerical integration

6.10 Monte Carlo integration

6.11 Finding roots of a nonlinear equation

6.12 Ordinary differential equations

6.13 Projectile in a viscous medium

6.14 Damped harmonic oscillator

6.15 RLC circuit

Chapter Homework assignments

7.1 Fresnel coefficients

7.2 Semiempirical mass formula of atomic nuclei

7.3 Magnetic permeability

7.4 Fourier sine transforms

7.5 Kinetic friction

7.6 Compton scattering

7.7 Radioactive decay

7.8 Halley's comet

7.9 Rocket equation

7.10 Hydrostatic equilibrium and relativistic stars

7.11 Proton in constant electric and magnetic fields

7.12 Square voltage pulse applied to a RC circuit

7.13 Mutual inductance of two coils

7.14 The accelerating Universe

7.15 An economic demand-and-supply model

7.16 Photo-pion production in the Universe and the GZK cutoff

Chapter

Chapter.

Notes:

"Version: 20241201"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780750364935

0750364939

OCLC:

1485259330