Synopses & Reviews
Computers are one of the most important tools available to physicists, whether for calculating and displaying results, simulating experiments, or solving complex systems of equations. Introducing students to computational physics, this textbook reveals how to use computers to solve mathematical problems in physics and teaches students about choosing different numerical approaches. It also introduces students to many of the programs and packages available. The book relies solely on free software: the operating system chosen is Linux, which comes with an excellent C++ compiler, and the graphical interface is the ROOT package available for free from CERN.
Synopsis
An up-to-date, broad scope textbook suitable for undergraduates starting on computational physics courses. It shows how to use computers to solve mathematical problems in physics and teaches a variety of numerical approaches. It includes exercises, examples of programs and online resources at www.cambridge.org/0521828627.
Synopsis
An up-to-date, broad scope textbook for senior undergraduates starting computational physics courses.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction; 2. Basics; 3. Short introduction to Linux; 4. Interpolation I; 5. Interpolation II; 6. Taking derivatives; 7. Numerical integration; 8. Solution of nonlinear equations; 9. Differential equations; 10. Matrices; 11. Random processes and Monte Carlo simulation; A. The ROOT system; B. Free scientific libraries; C. FORTRAN and C++; D. Program listings.