Conference proceeding
Teaching Mechanics with Maple
Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers, p22.1396.1
26 Jun 2011
Abstract
Teaching Mechanics with Maple Physics is guided by simple principles, but for many topics the physics tends to be obscured inthe profusion of mathematics. The paper describes some of the merits of using computer algebrain teaching mechanics. Various applications of computer algebra systems, specifically Maple tothe teaching of machanics are given. The examples illustrate the use of the Maple package inperforming calculations complete with units. We report on our experience in teaching, over theyears of dynamical systems and mechanics courses to second-year engineering students, usingsymbolic computation. Engineering students in many universities have to take two courses inPhysics during their first or second year of studies. Usually, the first course is a course onNewtonian mechanics. When they attend that course, they have already taken one or twosemesters of calculus, and during their high-school studies they must have already studiedparticle kinematics and dynamics. The main goal of the first course in physics is then to solve theequations of motion for some mechanical systems, such as one-dimensional particle motion,harmonic oscillator, etc. Simulation software and computer algebra systems allow students toexperiment with phenomena which are too complex to calculate or too expensive to bereproduced in a laboratory, or are simply not accessible to the senses. Computer algebra systemis essentially the ability to manipulate, on computer expressions which are symbolic, algebraicand no limited to numerical evaluation. Computer algebra systems can perform many of themathematical techniques which are part and parcel of a traditional physics course. The successfuluse of the computer algebra systems does not imply that the mathematical skills are no longer ata premium: such skills are important as ever. However, computer algebra systems may removethe need for those poorly understood mathematical techniques, which are practiced and taughtsimply because they serve as useful tools. It is well-documented by the physics educationcommunity about the conceptual and reasoning difficulties that students have in introductory andadvanced physics courses, including calculus-based honors courses. Their appropriate use cantherefore be an important aid in the trainer of better physicists and engineers. In this presentationwe will discuss ways in which computer algebra systems like Maple, can be used, by instructorsand by students, to help students make these connections and to use them once they are made.Benefits that accrue to upper-class students able to make effective use of a computer algebrasystem provide a further rationale for introducing student use of these systems into our coursesfor those who plan to major in physics or other technical fields.
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Details
- Title
- Teaching Mechanics with Maple
- Creators
- Radian BeluIrina Nicoleta Ciobanescu HusanuAlexandru Belu
- Publication Details
- Association for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers, p22.1396.1
- Publisher
- American Society for Engineering Education-ASEE
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Engineering Leadership and Society/Engineering Technology
- Identifiers
- 991019222533304721