Real-world Application of Linear Algebra

Mohammed Al-Kalbani
Supervised by Dr Susan Lazarus (School of Mathematics)

Personal Details After I nished my general engineering National Diploma in the Royal Guard of Oman Technical College, I decided to travel to Ireland to do a degree in Physics and Mathematics in DIT. My next step is to do research on correlated electron systems in Switzerland. My academic interest is in doing research on solar cell technology. My hobbies include reading and travelling. Project Summary The aim of this project was to give some examples where Linear Algebra can be useful in solving real life problems, which include physics problems. This involved modelling those problems and then nding solutions. In the following, I will give a brief summary of some linear algebra applications involving Physics which I tackled. One of the key points in physics is to relate theories to real life observations. If the real life data does not correspond to the theoretical relations, then one concludes that either the real life observation is wrong or that the theoretical relation has made wrong assumptions. The real life observation data could be taken and plotted versus the various variable factors and we could derive relations from drawing a graph, which may not be accurate. Another way, used by most computer programs, is the Method of Least Squares, though this may take time with so many data points. But it could be solved using linear algebra. Astrophysics is one of the physics elds that have been growing strongly in the last decade. Information gained from this eld has helped in explaining many details in the solar system, one of which is the orbital motion. The knowledge of orbits has helped in space exploration, putting satellites in specic orbits, position and velocity of planets, stars or asteroids. This information is clearly very important. By the rst of Keplers laws of motion, the orbit of an object moving around another in space is elliptical with the

stationary object located at one of the focal points of the ellipse. In other words, the Earth travels around the Sun in an ellipse, and the Sun is at a focal point of that ellipse. Likewise for a satellite travelling around the Earth (Figrue 1). It is possible for a satellite to travel in a circular orbit, but that is a special case. From such information we are able to derive the orbit of an object using linear algebra. The satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) works by locking on to the signals of at least three satellites to calculate a 2 dimensional position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the users 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). The location of an object could be identied using 3 satellites or more. This can be done by solving linear equations. To get started on understanding electronics you have to understand how the basic circuits work,

Figure 1. Satellite communications and the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) have benetted from mathematical models using linear algebra.

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such as circuits consisting of resistors and electrical sources. Using Ohms law and Kirchhoffs current and voltage law, the system could be analysed using linear algebra for determination either the current or the voltage or the resistance of the circuit. Elastic membranes have many uses in the area of mechanics. In addition to their uses as many parts of mechanical equipment, they are also used to simulate some mechanical properties. For example, consider a tube which has the same cross-sectional boundary as a bar. If the bar has a solid square cross section of side dimension b, then the tube will have a hollow square cross section of side dimension b as well. Next we stretch an elastic membrane over the tubes cross section and apply internal pressure. The deected shape of the membrane helps us visualize the stress pattern in the bar under torsion. These simulations could be carried out by solving an Eigenvalue problem, which saves time and equipment. In mechanics sometimes we have to nd the normal modes of vibrations of different systems, examples of which are: double pendulum, coupled pendulum, oscillating strings, coupled strings etc. To do this, the system of equations we are dealing with should be diagonalised using linear algebra. Mixing chemicals is a method used by a chemist to provide a useful outcome (e.g. solid, gas, liquid, spark, perfume... etc.) or not useful outcome

Figure 2. Chemical mixing can be modelled using linear algebra.

(e.g. re, bad smell, explosion... etc.). Dealing with chemicals is dangerous, but mixing chemicals is even more dangerous. The chemist has to ensure that s/he is using the right amount of each chemical or there may be a disaster (or by luck a new invention). For example, when developing photographic negatives, s/he is dealing with three chemicals (developer, xer and stop path), each one to be mixed with water in amounts specied by the manufacturer. Incorrect mixing will spoil your nice negatives. Where there is a large number of chemicals involved, computer packages can help to determine the right amounts to be included in the mix. Those computer packages use a technique that involves linear algebra.

2 DIT School of Physics