10 of the Best Free Linux Physics Tools
Physics is a natural science concerned with the study of
matter and energy applying laws that govern natural phenomena. It
encompasses the study of the universe from the
largest galaxies to subatomic particles, covering mechanics, radiation,
heat, electricity, sound, magnetism and the structure of atoms.
A good background of physics is essential in understanding our
planet, our neighbouring planets, our solar system, and the universe.
It offers explanations for every observed natural
phenomenon. Physics is widely regarded as the most central and
fundamental science and forms the basis of many other sciences
including astronomy, chemistry, biology, oceanography, seismology, and
zoology.
Physics is an incredibly stimulating science, challenging our
imagination with quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, chaos theory,
and electromagnetism. It has contributed to modern society with
the development of lasers, computers, homeland security, power
transmission, biomedicine and drug development, cancer therapy, medical
imaging, light sources, and much more.
Science really prospers and advances
when individuals share the results of their experiments with
others in the scientific community. There is a certain logic
that scientific software should therefore be released under an open
source license. This article focuses on selecting the best open source
software for physics and physics education. Hopefully there will be
something for interest here for all budding physicists.
So, let's explore the 10 physics tools at hand. For each
application we have compiled its own portal page, providing a
screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an
in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant
resources and reviews.
| Physics Tools |
| CompHEP |
Automatic computations in High Energy Physics |
| Gerris
Flow Solver |
Tool
for generic numerical simulations of flows |
| McStas |
Neutron ray-trace simulation application |
| Step |
Interactive
physics simulator |
| Elmer |
Finite Element Software for Multiphysical Problems |
| ROOT |
Solves
the data analysis challenges of high-energy physics |
| Octopus |
Real-space, real-time implementation of TDDFT |
| Geant4 |
Toolkit
for the simulation of the passage of particles through matter |
| OpenFOAM |
Facilitates the numerical solution of partial
differential equations |
| Tracker |
Video
analysis and modeling tool designed to be used in education |
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Last Updated Saturday, April 13 2013 @ 06:10 AM EDT
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