[neutronicus]

I really like the idea of introducing classical mechanics and methods of numerical solution alongside one another. I do feel that physics at the undergraduate level fetishizes pencil and paper to the detriment of understanding how complex a classical system really can be.

I am also ecstatic about the choice of not-Fortran for representing the algorithms.

Makes me tempted to try and write a "Structure and Interpretation of Neutron Transport"

[ericlavigne]

Makes me tempted to try and write a "Structure and Interpretation of Neutron Transport"

Let me know if you do - I'd be interested in reviewing early drafts. I studied nuclear engineering in grad school, but enjoyed the computational aspects enough to leave the field and start a career in programming instead. I don't recall liking any of the textbooks.

[jessriedel]

I've taken several courses in classical mechanics, and I've never seen anyone give a proper treatment of complex (really, chaotic) systems unless the entire course in devoted to it. The ideas are so different and time-consuming that it just cannot be introduced alongside simple classical mechanics.

That said, numerical simulations of simple systems (harmonic oscillators, perturbed oscillators, etc.) can be a helpful partner to analytical study.