Physics of non-steady state diffusion of lightweight atoms in a heavy atom matrix. Introducing an open-source tool for simulated-experiments in fluid mechanics

摘要

The practice-based learning methodologies offer to undergraduate professorsdifferent ways to illustrate certain general physic principles. Traditionalexperimental workbenches have been extensively used during decades for academiclessons in order to complete theoretical dissertations or lectures, aiming atassuring an adequate understanding. The high cost of materials and laboratoryequipment, the excessive preparation time, and the difficulty for carrying outoffsite-campus replications by students, are disadvantages that can discourageof trying new kinds of experimental tasks. This paper gives insight ofsimulated experiment possibilities through an open-source-based computationalsuite in teaching fluid mechanics. Physics underlying diffusion of a lightspecie in a heavier atom matrix, as function of time and position, wereexplained to students as an example to teach them the Fick's Second Lawexpression. We present a docent step-by-step programme, scheduled in threesessions. The expected solution is firstly explained and then compared both toa real case, by published results, and to the virtual-classroom experiment, byresolving a differential equation with numerical schemes. Students were able tomake their own hypothesis, change input parameters, and contrasting theirinitial assumptions.