LAB # 1

The goal of this exercise is to help you (re)gain confidence with EXCEL, Maple etc... Not much materials content here.

Exercise 1.   What is the maximum and minimum numbers that your computer can handle?  Click here

Exercise 2.   What is the precision of your computer?  Click here

Exercise 3.   Numerical Integration?  Click here

If you have access to a MAC try this one - it is very instructive:

The link below illustrates some limitations of our computers with respect to numerical errors. There is a java program that simulates the problem of hard colliding spheres - a model system in many physical systems.

1. Read the background information.
2. Go to to the java program: Select the number of particles (start with 4) and run the program for a period of time. Then stop it and reverse it. Does it return to the original position?
   Find the maximum running time, T that produces a "reversible". Do not run any other program on the computer while the program is running.
3. Produce a plot of T versus the number of particles.
4.  Discuss the implications of this problem.