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Description
In chapter 6, students are introduced to the idea of a central force, the idea of a instantaneous acceleration (as opposed to average acceleration) and using the Euler method to determine the position and velocity of the object. They then investigate the physics of a mass on a spring, a projectile in flight undergoing drag, and the motions of planets and comets around the Sun. They are asked to to do several exercises, including imagining a gravitational force that is goes as 1/r instead of 1/r2.
Publication Date
2019
Keywords
Mass on a Spring, Projectile Motion, Planetary Motion, Solar System, Euler method
Disciplines
Astrophysics and Astronomy | Curriculum and Instruction | Numerical Analysis and Computation | Physics | Science and Mathematics Education
Recommended Citation
Morgan, W.A. and English, L.Q., "06 Simulating Central-Force Problems" (2019). VPython for Introductory Mechanics. 5.
https://scholar.dickinson.edu/vpythonphysics/5
Included in
Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Numerical Analysis and Computation Commons, Physics Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons
Comments
© 2019 W.A. Morgan and L.Q. English, Carlisle, PA 17013
All Rights Reserved.
https://scholar.dickinson.edu/vpythonphysics/