Elementary Mechanics Using Python

Abstract

This book was developed as a textbook for use in the course “Introduction to Mechanics” in the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo starting 2007. In this course we aimed at providing a seamless integration of analytical and numerical methods when solving physics problems, thereby allowing us to solve more advanced and applied problems in mechanics, and providing examples that are perceived as more relevant for the students. We could address not only the very special cases that have analytical solutions, but could instead focus on choosing problems that would initiate discussions and provide the students with physical insights. Through the processes of introducing and developing advanced problems, it also became clear that this approach brought the students closer to the way physics is discovered and applied. In addition, it introduced the students to a more exploratory way of understanding phenomena and of developing their physical concepts. Welldeveloped examples that also include elements of numerical computations gave the students a feeling of discovering physical processes while also understanding how they are results of the underlying simple physical laws. In many cases, the advanced examples and exercises spawned interesting and rewarding discussions about the underlying physical processes, and also forced the students to understand the various forms of representation used to illustrate physical processes, such as motion diagrams and energy diagrams, and use these diagrams to reason about physical processes. As the course, examples, and exercises were developed it also became clear that the introduction of numerical methods in an introductory course in physics also helped build the notion that numerical methods are no different from analytical methods—they are part of the theoretical toolbox that any physicist is supposed to master. Our aim became to make it as natural for our students to solve their problems by developing a small program and discussing the results, as it was to use a calculator.