4 ms·
Ask HN: Toolbox or library for simulating classical mechanics problems?
I'm looking for a toolbox or library to simulate classical mechanics problems usually found in textbooks.
I want to for example see the oscillations of a usual double pendulum problem with ability to plot angles and forces at arbitrary positions. Or physical parameters of "box on a cart with friction" problem or real-time animation of a N-body problem. It'd be nice if it also supports 3d.
1- In summary, suppose someone wants to go through Landau-Lifshitz or Goldstein books and simulate the problems on his computer. What tools should he be looking for?
2- What is the keyword I should be searching for? Rigid Body Solver? Physics Engine? Numerical solvers of Lagrange (or Hamilton?) differential equations formulations? or should I be looking for Finite Element Methods?
3- It would be great if there is a MATLAB/python/C++ solution and not a full-blown software like COMSOL
Thanks
(x-post from /r/physics)
- marmaduke 8y agoHave you looked at XPP AUT? It provides a mathematically oriented DSL which also allows you to generated GIFs. IIRC one of the examples is a pendulum, but there's no reason you couldn't do an N-body problem.
- enriquto 8y agoIt will certainly not satisfy all your needs, but you cannot avoid spending some time with "Structure and Interpretation of Classical Mechanics" and its companion scheme code. There is also a neat appendix, slightly simpler and more modern, aimed at the mathematical details, titled "Functional Differential Geometry", by the same authors.
- mathnmusic 8y agoHave you tried Algodoo ( http://www.algodoo.com/ http://www.algodoo.com/ )? It's very easy to use and at the same time, also lets you script things. I think it's limited to 2D problems only though. If you find any good tools, please do send a pull request to add them here: https://github.com/learn-awesome/learn-awesome/blob/master/physics.md https://github.com/learn-awesome/learn-awesome/blob/master/p...
- quantumfitba 8y agohttps://www.myphysicslab.com/ https://www.myphysicslab.com/
- 0db532a0 8y agoClassical Mechanics with Mathematica: https://www.amazon.com/Classical-Mathematica%C2%AE-Simulation-Engineering-Technology/dp/3319775944 https://www.amazon.com/Classical-Mathematica%C2%AE-Simulatio...
- bsilvereagle 8y agoThe MATLAB toolbox "Simscape Multibody" (formerly SimMechanics) does exactly what you're asking. It comes free with student editions of MATLAB, but for home use you need to buy Simulink & Simscape Mechanics. An alternative that does not support animation as easily as Simscape, but will generate 2D/3D plots, is OpenModelica. https://www.mathworks.com/products/simmechanics.html https://www.mathworks.com/products/simmechanics.html https://openmodelica.org/ https://openmodelica.org/
- occamschainsaw 8y agoIf you want to gain a deeper understanding of classical mechanics, starting with a good diff eq package and then implementing the physical phenomena in terms of diff eq code would also be a good exercise. Plots would be easy, but I don't think implementing animation from scratch won't be worth the time and effort imo. Python: [0] http://pundit.pratt.duke.edu/wiki/Python:Ordinary_Differential_Equations http://pundit.pratt.duke.edu/wiki/Python:Ordinary_Differenti... [1] http://csc.ucdavis.edu/~cmg/Group/readings/pythonissue_3of4.pdf http://csc.ucdavis.edu/~cmg/Group/readings/pythonissue_3of4.... If you are familiar with Matlab or Mathematica, diff eqs are fairly easy to play around with in those environments.
- mhh__ 8y agoYou might need to just solve them then write MATLAB or Mathematica code to plot the solutions.
- vsskanth 8y agoModelica is an object-oriented language specifically created for simulating physical systems. It is used to formally describe and simulate complex mechanical (or even electrical or thermal) systems with multiple interacting parts (automobiles, flight control systems). OpenModelica [https://openmodelica.org/ https://openmodelica.org/] is the most popular free IDE for Modelica. You also have commercial IDEs like Dymola (I use this), SimulationX etc.