Computer Simulations of Physics :: Physics, Computers, Applications, Technologies

Computer simulations are used very much in physics. Simple ones are used to do demonstrations of basic mechanics problems that would not normally be possible. Complex ones are used to simulate problems involving fluids, plasma, and turbulence. Some of these simulations are so complicated that entire installations are dedicated to them. There are many different applications of physics simulations. Almost all things in physics can be demonstrated. However, many of these things are much more fesable to simulate rather than to a physical demosntration. Many mechanics problems fall into this category. While bringing a pool table into the classroom is nearly impossible, running a computer program that simulates balls on a pool table is no problem. Also, with a computer program it is possible to simulate ideal situations, with frictionless surfaces, massless wires, and no air drag. Computer simulations also let us examine situations that are unlikely, but still demonstrate the basic laws of mechanics. Very often, computers are used to simulate complex systems in physics. Two systems that computers are very often used in studying are plasma and turbulence. Computer simulations are used extensivley, if not almost exclusively. Many plasma simulations such as those shown above are simulations of plasma in a Tokomak, a fusion reactor. They are simulated because large amounts of computer time are still cheaper than building a working reactor. Turbulence Computers are also used for numerical analysis of turbulent flows in fluids. Often, a point-by-point substiitution into the Navier-Stokes Equations (below) will be used. Most simulation of physics is done solely for research.