Science makes extensive use of models to describe reality. The predictive powers of models are also the foundation of technology/engineering. However, even the application of simple models can quickly result in challenging mathematical problems. Numerical simulations on computers are a much easier way to understand the behaviour of a model. In this workshop, students formulate mathematical models of simple mechanical systems such as the motion of projectiles including air drag, the non-harmonic motion of a physical pendulum, or the motion of a planet. They get introduced to the principles of solving the equations of motions by numerical integration and program computers using the Python language accordingly.
Objectives:
kinematics; dynamics; Newton's law; forces, energy; gravitational field, motion in a circle, oscillations; algorithms; programming, rate and speed; functions and graphs; problems in real-world contexts; geometry and measurement, functions and graphs; vectors; sequences and series; calculus; numerical methods
| Delivery Type | Lecture Demonstration |
| Level | S2, S3, S4, S5, JC1, JC2 |
| Number of Pax | 10 to 24 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Timing | |
| Fees | $15 |