Mathematica

I'm curious if anyone on the forums is familiar with this particular program. I'm starting fresh with it, and was wondering if I could turn to the programming forum for help should I need it (I probably will somewhere down the road).

If not, please step up and let me know because I don't want to have this thread float down to the bottom with zero replies and many views.

 

that program looks INSANE!!!! I'm morbidly fascinated by what it can do and I secrety desire to own this software even if I can't use it

 

I don't know Mathematica. But if you give me a year or so I'll know Maple. It's a Canadian program that is sort of like Mathematica, but different. I wish I could say more, but I've never actually used either program.

 

Well, I'm going to find out what I can get it to do. I have to come up with a project to work on over the course of the semester, and I spoke with my self-proclaimed Physics mentor, and we came up with a pretty good idea.

I'm going to pitch this idea to my Computational Physics professor tomorrow, tell me what you think:

Okay, start with a system that contains 2 objects of mass 'm1' and 'm2', where m1 is MUCH greater than m2, graph the gravitational interaction in the system via 2-d methods.

Add a 3rd body of miniscule mass in comparison to the other two, plot the 2 dimensional interactions. Step it up to 3 dimensions, and analyze the gravitational situations in that environment. Note any areas of gravitational equilibrium present.

Produce a ListPlot to account for accelerations due to the the gravitational interactions, animate this ListPlot (using time as a 4th dimension) while paying attention to the areas of equilibrium.

Expand the situation to simulate what the system looks like after the initial chaos, again, noting areas of gravitational equilibrium.

I'll then connect it with a (somewhat) modern Physics idea. When the system settles from the chaos, the masses would begin to fluctuate causing gravitational ripples in spacetime (i.e. gravity waves), noticing where the ripples produce areas of gravitational equilibrium, relate them back to observations noted in previous examples.


This all goes back to my fascination with Lagrangian Points in 2-body systems, and the effect of gravity on a 3rd body of negligble mass. Analyzing how this sort of gravitational rollercoaster can induce variations in the derivatives of x. I don't know how far...I'd say to about the fourth derivative. Might as well go the extra step and include jerks (not Kodos , a jerk is the change in acceleration over time).

I want to work up to the famous n-body problem, but I think I'll keep in within the bounds of my expectations of my performance with Mathematica.

 

I say that insignificant body should be shaped like and look eerily close to stars head and face just A LOT BIGGER!!

hmmm.. on second thought.. scratch that. make it a giant tootsie-pop

Honestly, your knowlege of physics is far over my head, while I followed you on a basic level I come to ask my self why you want to do this.. I'm truly curious.

 

3 reasons:

-Because I've been fascinated by the concepts behind Lagrangian Mechanics for a long time.
-Because I'll get to see some pretty pictures
-Because it'll look good on my transcript when I'm looking for research and/or design positions at various places. Doing this kind of thing as an undergrad (a SECOND YEAR undergrad, at that) might turn some heads. I've always been interested in two places in particular: Lockheed Martin, and NASA. Lofty goals, true, but I can dream.

 

No dream is too lofty.. that's just a perception placed in our minds by how we see how others view that goal.

I was reading this morning about Lagrangian points.. very interesting indeed and now I can see some applicable science to this. I understand it's already in use with such sat's as SOHO and for space travel assistance.

In theory, I guess one could map out a "connect-the-dots" type space travel chart and fly through space using L-points.

Why not add a few more points onto that and put a "traveler" in the midst and see how well, far and fast he moves

 

Yes, the Lagrangian points in the Sun-Earth system are becoming more and more a crux to scientific exploration of space as the days go on. Also manipulating a Lagrangian point is WMAP (the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe). It was responsible for composing the most detailed map of the cosmic background radiation.

It wouldn't be difficult at all. The positions of Lagrangian points are HIGHLY predictable. The only way to smear calculations would be factoring in gravitational influences from other sources, which, in reality, is a necessity, but when I'm programming a simulation where I choose the system, it won't be necessary to account for more gravity than is in the system...That is, unless I want to spice it up by adding an external gravity source.

 

well, when you factor in the size of Chris' ass, then you'll have some very unstable points. You wanna talk ripples! YOWZA!!

 

You'd have to count each curd of cottage cheese as a seperate body.