System non-linear dynamics activities in an initial course of Mechanics

Abstract

An essential aspect in physics education has been the search of ways to get students familiar with current topics. One of those topics is Non-Linear Dynamics, which has great interest in many fields of science and technology. Several facets of it have been considered in publications on physics education; however the activities that students should carry out in an introductory course of physics require further elaboration. This paper describes the system of activities utilized in the first year of Nuclear Physics career at the Higher Institute of Technology and Applied Sciences of Cuba. The activities concern with concepts of non-linear system, phase space, attractor and deterministic chaos. The quality of reports that students prepare and their interest confirm viability of activities.