numerical calculation – Esoteric news

March 4, 2017

You Physics Teachers Really Ought to Teach Numerical Calculations

Numerical calculations are such an integral part of real world physics that it would be wrong to not include them in the intro courses. The post You Physics Teachers Really Ought to Teach Numerical Calculations appeared first on WIRED.

January 6, 2017

Let’s Tackle a Classic, Wicked Physics Problem. It’ll Be Fun—Promise

Here is a numerical calculation to determine the path between two points that gives the quickest time - the Brachistochrone problem. The post Let's Tackle a Classic, Wicked Physics Problem. It'll Be Fun—Promise appeared first on WIRED.

October 26, 2016

Modeling a Pendulum’s Swing Is Way Harder Than You Think

Modeling the motion of a pendulum is often included in introductory physics courses, but it's not as easy as you think. The post Modeling a Pendulum's Swing Is Way Harder Than You Think appeared first on WIRED.

July 25, 2016

The Physics of Trying to Crash Into the Sun

Why is it so difficult to crash into the Sun? This numerical calculation in python shows just how difficult it can be. Homework questions included. The post The Physics of Trying to Crash Into the Sun appeared first on WIRED.

July 18, 2016

Hey Let’s Do the Physics of a Crazy Person Launching From a Huge Slingshot

Here is a stunt that launches humans into the air with a giant slingshot. The humans then parachute down. It's a great introductory physics problem. The post Hey Let’s Do the Physics of a Crazy Person Launching From a Huge Slingshot appeared first on WIRED.

July 12, 2016

How to Use Python to Teach High School Physics

I recently facilitated two workshops for high school teachers to introduce them to python in physics. Here are my lessons learned. The post How to Use Python to Teach High School Physics appeared first on WIRED.

June 16, 2016

This Is the Only Way to Solve the Three-Body Problem

What is the three body problem and how do you solve it? Really, the only way to solve this problem is with a numerical calculation. The post This Is the Only Way to Solve the Three-Body Problem appeared first on WIRED.

April 12, 2016

The Physics of That Crazy Ricochet Hole in One at the Masters

During the 2016 US Masters Oosthuizen had a shot that deflected off another ball to result in a hole in one on a par 3. Here is a look at the physics of this event. The post The Physics of That Crazy Ricochet Hole in One at the Masters appeared first on WIRED.

March 25, 2016

You Can Solve Quantum Mechanics’ Classic Particle in a Box Problem With Code

The classic quantum mechanics problem is a particle in a 1-D box. Here is a numerical solution to that problem. The post You Can Solve Quantum Mechanics' Classic Particle in a Box Problem With Code appeared first on WIRED.

March 14, 2016

6 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Pi

March 14th is Pi Day, so here are some fun aspects of Pi that you might not know. The post 6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Pi appeared first on WIRED.