SYLLABUS
Physics 330 - “Classical Mechanics”
Time: T/TR: 4-5:15 PM Fall 2013
Location: S277
Instructor
Thomas E Wilson, Ph.D.
Office: S153
Lab: S154
Phone: 696-2752
e-mail:
Office Hours
MWF 3:00-4:00 pm, or by appointment.
Overview
The level of the course will be aimed at students who have completed the introductory calculus-based physics sequence. There is much to learn in a first course in classical mechanics. BE forewarned - many of the assigned problems are VERY challenging so plan to invest a minimum of ten hours per week for these. The content of chapters 6, and 7 particularly the Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics forms the foundation for quantum mechanics. I will not spend a great deal of time re-reading the textbook to you. Rather, I intend to help you learn by solving a large number of end of the chapter problems and will ask for student volunteers to also present their solutions (for bonus points). You may feel lost if you do not keep up with the readings and assignments. If you do not become discouraged, by the end of the semester, you will have become a budding physicist! Avail yourselves of my office hours.
Attendance
Attendance of all class meetings is expected, but allowance will be made for extenuating circumstances. Students are responsible for material presented in lecture, whether they are in attendance or not.
Special Needs
Students with special needs (as documented by the Office of Disability Services) should identify themselves at the beginning of the semester. Every effort will be made to accommodate the special needs of these students.
Disruptive Behavior
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that creates a productive learning environment for all members of the class. To this end, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior is any behavior that interferes with the normal conduct of lecture, including sleeping. In particular, electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) should be turned off before entering the class.
Academic Integrity
It is expected that students will discuss homework with each other, but any solutions presented must be your own work. Students are expected to abide by the following statement on academic honesty:
Learning and teaching take place best in an atmosphere of intellectual fair-minded openness. All members of the academic community are responsible for supporting freedom and openness through rigorous personal standards of honesty and fairness. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty undermine the very purpose of the university and the value of an education.
Complete information on the academic integrity policy can be obtained from the Dean of Students. For general university policies:
Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from the course with no record by 4 pm Friday, August 30tmat the Registrar’s office. Students may withdraw from the course and receive a W on their transcript before November 1. Students who are considering withdrawing from the course are encouraged to discuss their standing with me first.
Text
The text for the course is Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, 5th ed., by Thornton and Marion, Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing. Most of the assigned reading will be drawn from the text, with some ancillary material taken from other sources.
GradeDetermination:
Volunteers requested to solve assigned problems at the board: 10% bonus points
Exams I, II, III, and Final: 25% each
Overall Course Average: A = 90% or above, B=80% or above, C=70% or above, D=60% or above, F=less than 60%
Problem Solving at the BlackBoard
Most assigned problems will be variations of those found at the end-of-chapters in the text, but there may be additional problems based on material discussed in class. I will ask for volunteers on Thursday typically, to present assigned problem solutions at the blackboard. Points will be given for accuracy, clarity, and adequate verbal description and defense of their solutions.Please! Do not plagiarize from Chegg.com – one does not learn anything by this and one’s exam scores will reflect it – I can easily tell if this is done at any rate. There will be two required student presentations of problem solutions for selected assigned problems.
Exam Schedule
Exam I: September 17
Exam II: October 15
Exam III: November 12
Comprehensive Final Exam: December 10 (2 hours)
Topics Covered
We will cover the following 9 chapters of the text, with the exception of chapter 4.1. / Math Review
Scalars Coordinate transformations
Scalar operations
Vector operations
2. / Newtonian Mechanics – Single Particle
Newton’s Laws
Frames of reference
Equation of motion
Conservation theorems
3. / Oscillations
Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Damped oscillations
Sinusoidal driving forces
Superposition – Fourier series
5. / Gravitation
Gravitational potential
6. / Calculus of Variations
7. / Hamilton’s Principle – Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics
Generalized coordinates
Lagrange’s equation
Lagrange’s equation with undetermined multipliers
Conservation theorems
Hamiltonian dynamics
8. Central Force Motion
Reduced mass
Conservation theorems
Orbits
Effective potential
Planetary motion
Schedule of Reading Assignment, Assigned Problems, Examinations
DATE / CHAPTER READING/EXAMS / WEEKLY PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY STUDENT VOLUNTEERS ON THURSDAYSAugust 27, 29 / 1.1-1.11 / Chapter 1: 2, 3, 4, 8
September 3, 5 / 1.12-1.17 / Chapter 1: 19, 20, 26, 35, 38
September 10, 12 / 2.1-2.4 / Chapter 2: 2, 3, 5, 9
September 17, 19 / 2.5-2.7 (Exam I on 17th) / Chapter 2: 21, 22, 28
September 24, 26 / 3.1-3.4 / Chapter 3: 4, 6, 8
October 1, 3 / 3.5-3.9 / Chapter 3: 18, 25, 39
October 8, 10 / 5.1-5.5 / Chapter 5: 1, 5, 11, 12, 14
October 15, 17 / 6.1-6.3 (Exam II on 15th) / Chapter 6: 4, 6, 7
October 22, 24 / 6.4-6.7 / Chapter 6: 11, 14
October 29, 31 / 7.1-7.4 / Chapter 7:1, 3, 6
November 5, 7 / 7.5-7.6 / Chapter 7: 15, 18, 21
November 12, 14 / 7.7-7.13 (Exam III on 12th) / Chapter 7: 24, 32, 38
November 19, 21 / 8.1-8.5 / Chapter 8: 1, 2, 3, 4
November 26, 28 / Fall Break
December 3, 5 / 8.6-8.10 / Chapter 8: 10,16, 26, 44
December 10 / Comprehensive Final Exam