Numerical Calculation for Physics Laboratory Projects Using Microsoft EXCEL®

Description

This book covers essential Microsoft EXCEL®'s computational skills while analyzing introductory physics projects. Topics of numerical analysis include; multiple graphs on the same sheet, calculation of descriptive statistical parameters, a 3-point interpolation, the Euler and the Runge-Kutter methods to solve equations of motion, the Fourier transform to calculate the normal modes of a double pendulum, matrix calculations to solve coupled linear equations of a DC circuit, animation of waves and Lissajous figures, electric and magnetic field calculations from the Poisson equation and its 3D surface graphs, variational calculus such as Fermat's least traveling time principle and the least action principle. Nelson's stochastic quantum dynamics is also introduced to draw quantum particle trajectories. PRELIMS.pdf Preface Acknowledgements Author biography Shinil Cho Book description CH001.pdf Chapter 1 Response time of the nervous system 1.1 Objectives EXCEL note 1.2 Theory and procedure 1.3 Data analysis 1.3.1 Histogram 1.3.2 Another histogram available in EXCEL 1.3.3 Statistical variables 1.3.4 Numerical calculation of statistical variables 1.4 Central limit theorem 1.4.1 Gaussian curve fitting to raw data 1.4.2 Uniform distribution and the central limit theorem References CH002.pdf Chapter 2 Constant acceleration motion 2.1 Objectives EXCEL note 2.2 Theory and procedure 2.3 Data analysis 2.3.1 Displacement vrs time graph 2.3.2 Displacement vrs (time)2 graph 2.3.3 Velocity vrs time graph CH003.pdf Chapter 3 Equation of motion 3.1 Objectives EXCEL note 3.2 Theory and procedure 3.2.1 Projectile motion 3.3 Data analysis 3.4 Solving equation of motion using the Euler method 3.4.1 The Euler method for projectile motion 3.4.2 A falling object with air resistance using the Euler method 3.5 Runge–Kutta method 3.5.1 Limitation of the Euler method 3.5.2 Algorithm of the Runge–Kutta method 3.5.3 Harmonic oscillator 3.5.4 Van der Pool equation 3.6 Runge–Kutta method for simultaneous ordinary differential equations 3.6.1 Algorithm 3.6.2 Planetary motion References CH004.pdf Chapter 4 Periodic motions 4.1 Objectives EXCEL note 4.2 Theory and procedure 4.3 Data analysis 4.4 Further investigation—minimum period of a physical pendulum 4.5 More periodic motions 4.5.1 Double pendulum 4.5.2 Fourier transform 4.5.3 Coupled oscillators References CH005.pdf Chapter 5 Lissajous figures 5.1 Objectives EXCEL note 5.2 Theory and procedure 5.3 Lissajous figures using EXCEL 5.4 Animation of graphs 5.4.1 The idea of animating EXCEL chart 5.4.2 A propagating sine-wave 5.4.3 Rotating Lissajous figures References CH006.pdf Chapter 6 Kirchhoff’s law 6.1 Objectives EXCEL note 6.2 Theory and procedure 6.3 Circuit under measurement 6.3.1 Matrix calculation using EXCEL 6.4 Data analysis CH007.pdf Chapter 7 Equipotential surface 7.1 Objectives EXCEL note 7.2 Measurement procedure 7.3 Data analysis 7.3.1 3D Surface graph 7.3.2 Calculation of the 3D equipotential surface of an electric dipole 7.4 Further investigation 7.4.1 Two-dimensional electric potential from Poisson’s equation 7.4.2 Two-dimensional electric field from electric potential 7.4.3 Spreadsheet for calculating electric dipole field 7.4.4 Graphical representation of the electric field References CH008.pdf Chapter 8 Magnetic field profile 8.1 Objectives EXCEL note 8.2 Theory and procedure 8.3 Measurement 8.4 Additional study 8.4.1 Magnetic field calculated from vector potential 8.4.2 Vector potential and magnetic field due to a pair of current wire 8.4.3 Graphical representation of the magnetic field from a pair of current wires References CH009.pdf Chapter 9 Law of refraction 9.1 Objective EXCEL note 9.2 Theory and procedure 9.3 Data analysis 9.3.1 Angle measurement 9.3.2 Fermat’s least traveling principle using EXCEL’s Solver 9.4 Projectile motion based on the least action principle 9.4.1 Lagrangian approach 9.4.2 Projectile motion 9.5 Eigen value problems using Solver 9.5.1 Eigenvalues of Strum–Liouville equation 9.5.2 Example References CH010.pdf Chapter 10 Quantum particle trajectories 10.1 Objectives EXCEL notes 10.2 Theory—Nelson’s approach 10.3 Analysis of quantum particle trajectories 10.3.1 One-dimensional free particle 10.3.2 One-dimensional potential barrier 10.3.3 Harmonic oscillator 10.3.4 Hydrogen atom References APP1.pdf Chapter A.1 EXCEL options A.1.1 Autofill A.1.2 Adding ‘data analysis’ A.1.3 Enabling VBA macro A.1.4 Recording macro code A.1.5 Enabling iterative calculation A.1.6 Generating Gaussian random numbers A.2 Calculation of firing speed of a rolling ball A.3 RLC oscillator circuit A.4 Another circuit for exercising Kirchoff’s law A.5 Macro codes for quantum particles References