Discover
/
Article

Computer films for research

JAN 01, 1979
Movies made from the output data of complex numerical models offer perceptual advantages that can speed the recognition of unexpected behavior and encourage fruitful discussion.
John T. Scott

Let’s say you have just completed a computer simulation or numerical modeling of a complex system in your physical or chemical research. The data are likely to be delivered back to you in the form of mountains of Z‐fold computer printout or stacks of Calcomp plots. Rather than picking your way through all this paper, why not turn the material into a short movie that can be projected over and over again, fast or slow, to show you whatever trends, discontinuities and so on your model possesses?

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. The Proceedings of the Boulder conference takes the form of a 40‐minute movie, “Computer Movies for Research, 1978,” (J. H. Eberly, D. G. Hummer, eds) produced for the National Science Foundation at Lawerence Livermore Laboratory by G. Michael.

  2. 2. L. Tilling, Brit. J. Hist. Sci. 8, 193 (1975).

  3. 3. G. H. Gilmer, K. A. Jackson, Current Topics in Material Science 2, 79 (1977);
    J. D. Weeks, G. H. Gilmer, in Adv. Chem. Phys. 40 (1979), to be published.https://doi.org/ADCPAA

  4. 4. R. H. Miller, Astrophys. J. 223, 122 (1978).https://doi.org/ASJOAB

  5. 5. T. Valencich, D. L. Bunker, J. Chem. Phys. 61, 21 (1974).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  6. 6. J. C. Goldstein, D. O. Dickman, Los Alamos publication LA‐UR‐76‐1292.

More about the authors

John T. Scott, Physics Today.

Related content
/
Article
A half century after the discovery of Hawking radiation, we are still dealing with the quantum puzzle it exposed.
/
Article
Since the discovery was first reported in 1999, researchers have uncovered many aspects of the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
/
Article
Metrologists are using fundamental physics to define units of measure. Now NIST has developed new quantum sensors to measure and realize the pascal.
/
Article
Nanoscale, topologically protected whirlpools of spins have the potential to move from applications in spintronics into quantum science.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1979_01.jpeg

Volume 32, Number 1

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.