Introduction to Computer Simulation Methods, An: Applications to Physical System, 2/E
Harvey Gould, Clark University
Jan Tobochnik, Kalamazoo College

ISBN-10: 0201506041
ISBN-13: 9780201506044

Publisher: Addison-Wesley
Copyright: 1996
Format: Cloth; 721 pp
Status: Out of Print

Suggested retail price: $84.40
This item is out of print and is no longer available for purchase.



Now in a second edition, this book teaches physical concepts using computer simulation. The text illustrates structured programming techniques and encourages students to develop good programming habits in the context of doing physics. Designed for college students at all levels, An Introduction to Computer Simulation Methods, uses True Basic, a user-friendly, accessible computer language. As an introduction to the use of computer simulations, this book is also appropriate for students majoring in fields other than physics.

  • Expanded chapters on chaos, normal modes and waves, electrodynamics, fractals, complexity, and quantum mechanics have been added, in addition to exercises and open-ended research projects.
  • The text emphasizes teaching physics through computer simulation, as opposed to teaching programming or numerical analysis and provides variety of level and flexibility within the physics curriculum.



Preface.


 1. Introduction.


 2. The Coffee Cooling Problem.


 3. The Motion Of Falling Objects.


 4. The Two-Body Problem.


 5. Simple Linear and Nonlinear Systems.


 6. The Chaotic Motion Of Dynamical Systems.


 7. Random Processes.


 8. The Dynamics Of Many Particle Systems.


 9. Normal Modes and Waves.


10. Electrodynamics.


11. Numerical Integration and Monte Carlo Methods.


12. Random Walks.


13. Percolation.


14. Fractals.


15. Complexity.


16. The Microcanonical Ensemble.


17. Monte Carlo Simulation Of The Canonical Ensemble.


18. Quantum Systems.


19. Epilogue: The Same Algorithms Give The Same Results.


Appendices: From Basic to Fortran.


From Basic to C.


Index.

    Now in a third edition, this book teaches physical concepts using computer simulations. The text incorporates object-oriented programming techniques and encourages students to develop good programming habits in the context of doing physics. Designed for college students at all levels, An Introduction to Computer Simulation Methods uses Java, currently the most popular programming language. The text is most appropriately used in a project-oriented course that lets students with a wide variety of backgrounds and abilities work together. 
  • 0805377581Introduction to Computer Simulation Methods, An: Applications to Physical Systems, 3/E
    Gould, Tobochnik & Christian
    © 2007 | Addison-Wesley | Paper; 720 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0805377581 | ISBN-13: 9780805377583
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

Harvey Gould uses molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo methods to study glasses, the dynamics of first-order phase transitions, and other problems in statistical mechanics. His work involves the application of computer simulation algorithms as well as renormalization group and cluster methods. Gould recently co-authored the second edition of an undergraduate level text on computer simulation in physics. He can "foresee the day when physics students take a required computational science curriculum comparable in scope to the present day mathematics curriculum."

Gould is a native of California and received his B.A. and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He did postdoctoral work at the National Bureau of Standards and taught at the University of Michigan before coming to Clark University in 1971. His leisure time is spent with his family and listening to music, especially jazz.


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