Computational Methods in Physics and Engineering (Paperback)

by Samuel S. M. Wong (Author) "Modern electronic computers owe their origin, to a large extent, to the needs in science and engineering..." (more)
Key Phrases: Monte Carlo, Repeat Problem, Scientific American

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Numerical methods are playing an ever-increasing role in physics and engineering. This is especially true after the recent explosion of computing power on the desk-top. This text is aimed at helping the user make intelligent use of this power tool. Each method is introduced through realistic examples and actual computer programmes. The explanations provide the background for making a choice between similar approaches and the knowledge to explore the network for the appropriate existing codes. Tedious proofs and derivations, on the other hand, are delegated to references. Examples of unconventional methods are also given to stimulate readers in exploring new ways of solving problems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company; 2 edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9810230435
• ISBN-13: 978-9810230432
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #772,240 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fairly good book on computational physics, February 16, 2001

By	Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is a fairly decent overview of computational physics. The author covers most of the topics that one would obtain in taking a senior level or first year graduate course in this subject. It could be used successfully in such a course as there are problem sets at the end of each chapter that can be solved most efficiently by writing programs. In addition, the author gives pseudocode throughout the book for the main algorithms. The most useful chapter to me was Chapter 7, which covered Monte Carlo techniques. The author is pretty thorough in his treatment of this subject, and does discuss how to apply this technique in calculating path integrals in quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, he limits his discussion to the harmonic oscillator and does not give any problem sets at the end of the chapter that will allow the reader to apply the techniques to other potentials in quantum mechanics (such as maybe the anharmonic oscillator or the double well potentials). The author also discusses finite difference methods and finite element methods in the last two chapters. The author unfortunately does not discuss the numerical solution of the Boltzmann transport equation, which is of interest to me. Overall though a pretty nice job, and will introduce the new comer to the field.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for starting out in computational Physics, January 6, 2009

By	J. Renna "trinity772" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I went thru this book when I first received it, but recently used it as a reference for a computational Physics course I took. I am glad I had it. The only reason for the 4 stars, is no solutions to the problems at the ends of the chapters. I am a firm believer in learning by doing, and this book, although it has some good examples, needs to add answers to the problems, for immediate feedback. Otherwise, it is a good first introduction, and provides an excellent reference.