In numbers 2 and 4 of the previous volume of Physics Review ‘Mathskit’ described how spreadsheets can be used as computational modelling systems for solving differential equations. Examination board specifications state that you should be able to use a spreadsheet to model simple ‘first-order’ differential equations.
In this ‘Mathskit’ we take the idea further, to model a second-order differential equation. This is harder, and goes beyond what you need for A-level, but it is a good mathematical and numerical workout, and will give you an insight into how computers are used to solve equations that might otherwise be insoluble. You will also see what limitations these methods have, and how we might produce better numerical models.
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