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1. Finite Difference Calculus

         
Yes, Computational Physics is that old!
(Newton, 1670)
  More recent
(Simple fluid MD, 1970)
  More recent still
(Liquid crystal MD, 2001)


Use finite differences in place of infinitesimal differentials:
Given $f(x)$, let $x_{k} \equiv k\Delta x(k=1,2,...)$

Remarks:
- History: opposite route; from finite differences to differentials
- Kepler $f(x)$ 2- and 3-body problems (chaos!)
- Difference calculus remains applicable for any number of bodies and any potential
- Price paid: only tabulated trajectory



Subsections

Franz J. Vesely Oct 2005
See also:
"Computational Physics - An Introduction," Kluwer-Plenum 2001