Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 What Will The Course Involve
We have a physical model which can be described by a mathematical model, these usually result in differential equations needing to be solved.
For example, a mass
m
on aq spring is displaced by a distance
y
resulting in a force -
ky
Figure 1.1 - A Mass on a Spring
y
=
dependent
variable
t
=
independent
variable
m
d
2
y
dt
2
=-
ky
This model however has limitations, for example when
y
becomes very big the spring is going to actually break, this is not considered in the model.
Many models of different physical systems have a small number of equations. These mainly involve solving linear second order differential equations.
