Computational Physics

Physics is a discipline which relies a lot on calculation. Nowadays, with the rapid development of scientific studies and technology, the importance of computing is becoming more and more obvious, since it has great abilities in calculation and modeling. Hence, some edge disciplines begin to appear and more and more scientists pay attention in their importance. Computational physics is just one of those edge disciplines, which combines the knowledge of both Physics and Computational Engineering.

Computational Physics is the study and implementation of numerical analysis to solve problems in physics for which a quantitative theory already exists. Historically, computational physics was the first application of modern computers in science, and is now a subset of computational science. Computational physics uses the advances of modern computer ( large storage, high-speed calculation), simulating the models and different experiments on computer (such as explosions, the launch of rockets...).

Computational Physics also supports research for computational and data-enabled science. The program emphasizes novel methods for high-performance computing, such as algorithm development and efficient use of novel architectures, that require significant code development. Priority will be given to proposals that, in addition to compelling scientific goals, have a computational advance or new enabling capability. 

The importance of Computational Physics is undeniable. In the realm of Physics, a huge quantity of questions cannot be strictly solved. Some are due to the complexity of questions, and some could not be able to find a solution ( such as the problem with more than three objects in Newton's classical mechanics). In this case, the accuracy of values of numbers are becoming more and more essential. Computational Physics is recognized as a "bridge" between theoretical and experimental physics. It makes heavy use of Monte-Carlo-like methods, transferring some traditional difficulties into modeling graphics showing on the computers. Due to the broad class of problems computational physics deals, it is an essential component of modern research in different areas of physics, namely: accelerator physics, astrophysics, fluid mechanics (computational fluid dynamics), lattice field theory

Computational Physics has now become one of the three pillars of modern physics. It plays the role of transferring the theoretical ideas into modeling methods and makes better calculations due to the advantages of modern computers. It also could be a great achievement of computing technology which involved in other realms.

Reference:

1. https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505206

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_physics

Picture Reference:

1. https://www.google.com/search?q=computational+physics&biw=1661&bih=872&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi9tKHCpbbPAhVCPT4KHd03BYUQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1#imgrc=u7aXSKt_bszoTM%3A