Visualizing Functions that Change with Time

Scientific Computing

Abstract

This activity introduces students to creating animations with Python.  The models, based in physics, build from a simple position-dependent function to a time-dependent function such that students progress from visualizing a snapshot of a function at a particular time to animations over a period of time.  Students also explore impact of changing the variables of these functions and infer physical meaning.  Intended for use in a Scientific Computing course, students should be familiar with the characteristics of waves, as well as have experience with object-oriented programming, plotting with matplotlib, and creating and manipulating arrays with numpy prior to this activity.

This activity was developed with NSF support through IUSE-1626765. You may request access to this activity via the following link: IntroCS-POGIL Activity Writing Program. 

• Level: Undergraduate
• Setting: Classroom
• Activity Type: Learning Cycle
• Discipline: Computer Science
• Course: Scientific Computing
• Keywords: python, animations, wave functions