The list below shows topics that are candidates for your computational physics project in Physics 215. There are references to background material, but no strict guidance on what the project will demand. You should expand on the reference lists here for your work. Ultimately, you have to make the choice and determine how you want the project to develop. See the syllabus for a schedule and and hints on getting started.

1. Scattering by a central potential (or collisions between almost anything from stars to marbles).

   Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

   Computational Physics, S.E. Koonin

   
   

2. The structure of degenerate white dwarfs (rated PG).

   Astronomy: Fundamentals and Frontiers, R. Jastrow and M.H. Thompson

   Astrophysical Concepts, M. Harwit

   An Introduction to the Study of Stellar Structure, S. Chandreshakhar

   
   

3. ICBM Intercept (or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Patriot missile).

   Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

   Computing for Scientists and Engineers, W.J. Thompson

   Ballistic Missile Defense, A.B.Carter and D.N.Schwartz, editors

   
   

4. Launching a MIRV (Global Thermonuclear War).

   Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

   Computing for Scientists and Engineers, W.J. Thompson

   Multiple-Warhead Missiles, H.F.York, Sci. Am., 229 no.5, 18(1973).

   
   

5. Solving Schroedinger's Equation (or how things really work).

   Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles, R. Eisberg and R. Resnick

   Computational Physics, S.E. Koonin

   Quantum Mechanics on the Personal Computer, A.Brandt

   
   

6. Decay of Hot Nuclear Matter (how hot can hot get).

   Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles, R. Eisberg and R. Resnick

   Computational Physics, S.E. Koonin

   Quantum Mechanics on the Personal Computer, A.Brandt

   
   

7. Molecular Diffusion (or how you get wet).

   Physics, D.C. Giancoli

   The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. I, R.P. Feynman

   The Mathematics of Diffusion, J. Crank

   An Introduction to Numerical Analysis, K.E. Atkinson

   
   

8. Heat Transfer (or why you sweat).

   Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

   Introduction to Ordinary differential Equations, A.L. Rabenstein

   An Introduction to Numerical Analysis, K.E. Atkinson

   
   

9. Ferromagnetism (why do natural magnets exist?).

   Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

   Computational Physics, N.J.Giordano

   
   

10. The Physics of Baseball, Football, Basketball, etc.

    Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

    The Physics of Baseball, R.K.Adair

    
    

11. Touring the Solar System (how Pathfinder got there).

    
    

    Physics, D.Halliday, R.Resnick, and J.Walker

    The Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion, P.G.Hill

12. Chaos in the Double Pendulum and the Rings of Saturn.

    Chaos Theory, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory

    An Introduction to Computer Simulation Methods, by H.Gould and J.Tobochnik.

    
    

    Note: All of the references above are in the Richmond library except Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker. The same topics are covered in any introductory physics with calculus text which are available in D208.