Physics

We have calculated the differential and integrated cross sections for excitation of atomic hydrogen to its n=3 and n=4 levels by electron impact using the Glauber approximation. Results are compared with measurements at 20, 30, 40, and 60 eV and also shown for 120 and 480 eV. At momentum transfers not too large at all energies considered, the calculated n=3 differential cross sections are qualitatively similar to but a factor of somewhat less than 3 larger than the calculated n=4 cross sections. The calculated integrated cross sections attain broad maxima near 41 eV.

In this paper, the Biot-Savart law was broken down using numerical algorithms in order to offer an easier calculation of the magnetic field for different geometries of current carrying wires. All code was written in Python; however, the illustrated techniques are able to be replicated in other languages that offer object oriented programming. First, the one dimensional case was studied for line currents and circular currents. Then, two dimensional and three dimensional geometries were studied for square, prism, and cylindrical current carrying wires. Finally, through the principles of superposition, it was demonstrated how more abstract geometries are also able to be replicated numerically.