PH-494 (PH-411)
Section 101
version5/22/2015
Computational Methods in Physics
Spring Semester 2014
Tentative Schedule
Instructor:
Text:
C. M. Jenkins
Numerical Recipes 3rd Edition, Press/Teuk/Vetterling
Computational Methods Applied to the Undergraduate Curriculum, C. M. Jenkins
Meeting Times:
Class: MTWTF 9:30 AM to 10:25 PM
Room: ILB 5
Web Address
http://www.southalabama.edu/physics
Select: classes / lecture notes/ Dr Jenkins / PH-411
Office:
ILB 102
Office Hours:
MWF 10:30-11:30 AM,& by appointment
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Test 1
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Test 2
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Topic
Newton’s Method
Week 1
Wien’s Law, Quantum Mechanical Finite Square Well
Freely Falling Body from great altitude, Points of Stable Equilibrium
Time of Flight of a Projectile with Air Resistance
Numerical Integration: Rectangle, Trapezoid, Simpson’s Rule
Interpolation polynomials
Gaussian Quadrature
Quantum Mechanical Harmonic Oscillator, Particle Sliding Down a Bowl
Arc Length of an Ellipse, Inverse Distance Force, Range of Ionizing Particles.
Week 2
Week 3
Numerical Solution of Differential Equations / Euler’s Method, Modified Euler’s Method
Runge-Kutta Method
Second Order Differential Equations and Fourth Order Runge-Kutta Method
Simple Pendulum
Rocket Fired from the Earth, Charged Particle and Ring of Charge
Charged Particle and Electric Dipole in a Fluid, Artillery with Air Resistance.
Motion of a Particle Between Two Massive Stationary Objects
Projectile Motion with Exponentially Decreasing with Altitude Air Resistance
Binary Planetary System
Numerical Derivatives: The Midpoint Method
Solution of Leplace’s Equation and Poisson’s Equation
Infinite Parallel Plate Capacitor
Object on an inclined Plane, Freely Falling Body with Air Resistance
Finite Parallel Plate Capacitor
Fitting Data: Linear Least Squares Fit
Least Squares Fit for Exponential and Power Law Forms
Quadratic Least Squares Fit.
Least Squares Fit for Gaussian and Briet-Wigner Forms
Balmer Series, Diode, PN Junction Diode, Microwave Michelson Interferometer
Momentum of a Monoenergetic Muon Beam, Stefan-Botlzmann Law
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
PH-411
Section 101
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7/14
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7/20
Computational Method in Physics
Spring Semester 2014
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Test 3
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Tentative Schedule
Page 2
version 5/22/15
Topic
Monte Carlo Methods
Generating Non-uniform Distributions from Uniform Distributions
Week 8
Non-Uniform Distributions for Multivariable Functions
Modeling Experiments with Constant Acceleration
Nuclear Beta Decay
Final Examination:
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
ILB 5
PH-411 Class Rules:
This is a course that teaches the solution of physics problems by use of a computer. Students are expected
to program in C or C++. Since students are expected to learn how to analyze a physics problem, reduce
this problem into a form that requires a numerical solution, then write a program to deduce the solution, the
final grade has a large weight from the homework average.
Lecture and Recitation Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. Concepts are explained and
example problems are worked in the class sessions. Attendance will be taken. The attendance roll will be
passed out at the beginning of class for students to sign. Students are responsible for signing the attendance
roll on the day it is passed out to receive credit for attending class that day. If you come in slightly late,
please see the instructor after class to sign the roll. Students entering class about halfway through the
lecture or leaving early without the instructor’s permission will be marked absent. Five points of the final
grade will be assigned for attendance. Three cut days will be allowed. One point will be subtracted from
the attendance points for each additional day missed after the three cut days until all attendance points are
depleted.
The homework will consist of programming assignments using the various techniques discussed in class as
applied to specific physics problems. Since students are expected to use programs that they write to arrive
at their solutions (as most problems do not have a “closed form” solution) the only way to test the student’s
proficiency in the subject matter of this course is to assign long (and sometimes complicated) homework
problems. Homework problems will be assigned with due dates. The due dates will be strictly enforced
with a subtraction of one half a letter grade per day late penalty. This is to keep students from piling
up assignments that are handed in at the end of the semester. Subsequently, students are greatly
encouraged to begin writing the programs very quickly after the homework sets are assigned. The
complexity of these types of problems excludes them from test. Because of the large weight of the
homework, no collaboration in their solutions among students is expected. In fact, homework assignments
may vary from student to student. Students with questions or problems should see the instructor during
office hours or appointment.
Students are encouraged to buy a copy of a C (or C++) compiler to work on homework problems at home.
Student versions of these compilers are cheap an offer excellent integrated development environments
(IDE) that integrates the debugger with the source code and error messages for quickly determining the
source of most run time errors. Students also have access to numerous departmental personal computers
with C++ compilers (C is a sub-set of C++) installed to work on assignments.
The tests will include questions over material covered in class and in the homework problems. The
questions may be in the form of derivations or application of numerical methods to actually setting up and
solving Physics problems that require the application of numerical methods. The test questions may be in
the form of calculations or derivations.
A makeup test will be given for students with reasonable explanations for missing the regularly scheduled
test. Makeup test will not be given for reasons such as insufficient time to prepare, etc. Students missing a
test should contact the instructor as quickly as possible.
Week 9
PH-411
Section 101
Computational Method in Physics
Spring Semester 2014
Tentative Schedule
Page 3
version 5/22/15
Students with disabilities who are registered with the Office of Special Student Services should notify the
instructor immediately. Accommodations will be arranged between the Office of Special Student Services
and the instructor. If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please
notify the instructor/professor and provide certification from Special Student Services. OSSS is located in
Room 270 of the Student Center (460-7212).
Dishonesty on any assignment will result in a failing grade in the course. Academic dishonesty or
disruption will be handled in accordance with the University of South Alabama policies as outlined in The
Lowdown, the student handbook (http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/ ). Students are expected to be
cordial, courteous, and respectful of faculty members and fellow students. The University of South
Alabama’s official policies regarding Academic Disruption and Student Academic Conduct are published
annually in The Lowdown, the student handbook.
The Course Goals & Objectives are to teach students how to take a physics problem that requires a
numerical solution and analyze that problem to determine a suitable numeric method for the problem’s
solution. This process includes starting with a blank computer file and coding the program (in Fortran, C
or C++) to be used in the solution and testing the algorithm on a problem with a known solution to ensure
the program works. The working program is applied to the physics problem of interest and the results from
this program are interpreted and analyzed.
Assessment of student outcome:
Every assignment is based on a 0% to 100% grade scale. Major components of the course used to assign a
grade and their importance is outlined in the left-hand box. The right-hand box contains the actual grade
scale. Note that these are lower limits: I will never slide the percentages up (i.e. anyone that has a final
grade of 90 or better is guaranteed an “A”).
Final Grade Composition
Grade Scale
5%
Attendance
A
90% to 100%
45%
Homework Average
B
80% to 89 %
30%
Test Average
C
70% to 79%
20%
Final Exam
D
60% to 69%
F
Below 60%
Using the “Final Grade Composition” the final grade is computed as:
Final Grade = 0 ≤ [5 - Cut days over three] (Attendance ) + 0.5* (Homework Average) + 0.3*(Test Average)+ + 0.20*(Final Exam)
Since all classes do not progress at the same rate, the instructor may wish to modify the rate and amount of
material covered (i.e. the days and number of days particular topics are planned in this syllabus may differ
from the actual schedule achieved in the class room). Only under extraordinary circumstances, and only at
the request and unanimous consent of the entire class, a test date may be rescheduled. Any student
objecting to a potential change of test date may make his/her vote known in public (in class) or in private
(at a meeting with the instructor).
Catalog Course Description:
PH 411
Computational Methods in Physics
3 cr
Use of computers in physics research (industrial, applied or basic) is now common. This course will
introduce advanced undergraduate physics students to computer solutions of physics problems. Particular
attention will be paid to problems that have no analytic solutions and may only be solved numerically. The
course will introduce several numeric methods and apply them to specific problems from quantum
mechanics, electrodynamics, and mechanics. Students will write a series of programs in the Fortran or the
C programming language and use them to solve undergraduate level physics problems. Prerequisites:
MA238, CIS271 or CIS272, and PH303.
General Education Competencies
This course will help the student to achieve the Critical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning General
Education competencies.
PH-411
Section 101
Computational Method in Physics
Spring Semester 2014
Tentative Schedule
Page 4
version 5/22/15
Critical Thinking: Critical Thinking is the formulation, rational scrutinizing, and/or considered assessment
of information and diverse reasons for belief or action.
Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning is the ability to systematically analyze quantitative
concepts, evidence, processes, and outcomes to reach a rational conclusion.