Modeling of fundamental electronic circuits by the Euler method using the Python programming language

• Published in: Physics education Vol. 55; no. 5; pp. 55016 - 55026
• Main Authors: Gojkovi, Ljubomir, Malijevi, Stefan, Armakovi, Stevan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brecon IOP Publishing 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Algorithms; Capacitors; Circuits; Differential equations; Electronic circuits; Euler method; High School Students; Mathematics; Physics; Problem Solving; Programming Languages; Python; RC and RLC circuits; Resistors; Science Instruction; Secondary School Science; Teaching Methods; Textbooks
• ISSN: 0031-9120; 1361-6552
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6552/ab94d5

In this work three examples of textbook circuits (resistor-capacitor, resistor-inductor and resistor-inductor-capacitor) have been modeled by employing the Euler method for the approximate solution of differential equations using algorithms implemented in the Python programming language. The aim of this work was to demonstrate how simple, yet highly effective, algorithms can be neatly implemented in one of the currently most popular programming languages for scientific applications. At the same time, the visualization of the results allows for a detailed introduction to the properties of the circuits most frequently commented on in all the relevant textbooks. Our code, as provided to the reader, includes detailed comments, and can easily be modified to model other similar systems. Instructions on how to prepare tasks for students have been also provided.