An Introduction to Computational Physics [Paperback]

This advanced textbook provides an introduction to the basic methods of computational physics.Thoroughly updated and revised for its second edition, this advanced textbook provides an introduction to the methods of computational physics, and offers an overview of recent progress in several areas of scientific computing. At every stage, important concepts are illustrated with relevant step-by-step examples, including program listings in JavaTM and exercises. Aimed at undergraduate or first-year graduate courses on computational physics or scientific computation, it will also be a useful reference for anyone involved in computational research.Thoroughly updated and revised for its second edition, this advanced textbook provides an introduction to the methods of computational physics, and offers an overview of recent progress in several areas of scientific computing. At every stage, important concepts are illustrated with relevant step-by-step examples, including program listings in JavaTM and exercises. Aimed at undergraduate or first-year graduate courses on computational physics or scientific computation, it will also be a useful reference for anyone involved in computational research.Thoroughly updated and revised for its second edition, this advanced textbook provides an introduction to the basic methods of computational physics, and an overview of recent progress in several areas of scientific computing. Tao Pang presents many step-by-step examples, including program listings in JavaTM, of practical numerical methods from modern physics and related areas. Now including many more exercises, the volume can be used as a textbook for either undergraduate or first-year graduate courses on computational physics or scientific computation. It will also be a useful reference for anyone involved in computational research.Preface to first edition; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Approximation of a function; 3. Numerical calculus; 4. Ordinary differential equaló-