Physics 301 Classical Mechanics (Honors)
Spring 2003
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30 - 11:20

Course Description
This course picks up where students left off from the Fall 2002 Special Topics course in Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics that was designed to give students exposure to topics in mechanics for preparation for the physics GRE.   The first half of this course will likely cover topics in coupled oscillations, continuous systems, and waves.  The second half of this course will covers topics in single particle Newtonian mechanics, central force motion, and other topics if time allows (probably Rigid Body Motion). 

Course Goals:
Students will increase their conceptual understanding of classical mechanics and develop their problem solving skills.  Students will also gain more experience and increased ability with the mathematics associated with Classical Mechanics.    Another goal of this course is to lay a solid  foundation for more advanced study of classical mechanics and quantum mechanics.  

Course Objectives:
The student will be able to: 

• Apply the techniques and results of classical mechanics to real world problems
• Effectively communicate problems and their solutions relevant to classical mechanics
• Apply physics principles to novel situations

Text:
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Jerry B. Marion and Stephen T. Thornton, 4th Edition
For the first half of term we will cover chapter 12 and 13.  In the second half of the term we  will likely cover topics in chapters 2, 8, and 11.  A schedule of topics and assignments is be kept at:                 http://hyochum.physics.sbc.edu/physics301H_spring2003/physics301schedule_2003.htm
This schedule is dynamic, so please check back for updates and new assignments.

Though not required you should have a mathematical handbook of some sort.  The following are very good examples:
CRC Standard Mathematical Tables, William H. Beyer (CRC Press).
Tables of Integrals, Series, and Products, I.S. Gradshteyn and I.M. Ryzhik (Academic Press) 
Schaum's Outlines Mathematical Handbook, M.R. Spiegel (McGraw Hill)

Prerequisite Knowledge:
You should have taken Math Methods and have taken three semesters of Calculus based physics.

Preparation:
I expect you to come to class prepared and ready to work.  Assume that I may give you a short quiz (that will affect your hw grade) at any time to help motivate you to be prepared for class.  The most common, and perhaps the deadliest habit is to postpone your assault of the material. You are expected to diligently apply yourself, since it is your for your future that you are working.  The best advice I can give you is come to every class, take good notes, talk with your classmates, and keep up. I know these sound trivial, but they are all too often ignored.  

Attendance:
Attendance, timeliness, and participation are critical to the learning process and an integral part of this course.  Being late to class is disrespectful to your classmates and to your professor.    Missing class will make learning the material difficult, as some of what you get out of this course will come from discussion in class with your peers.  I reserve the right to take points off your grade for lateness or lack of in class activity.

Grades:  

Homework Sets:
Homework will generally be assigned every Friday and will be due the following Friday. HW will generally consist of problems from the text and problems we assign (or from other texts). Just as one would practice a sport to get good at it, one must practice math and physics, the HW is your chance to do this. HW is due at the BEGINNING of class. Late HW will be penalized. 

I encourage you to work with your peers on the HW. Conversations with your classmates are an excellent way to learn. However, this does not mean you should copy homework.  One rule to go by when working with classmates: if you don't understand what you are writing down, don't turn it in.  

The ability to communicate your technical work to others is vital to your success as a scientist.   In this course, in addition to getting homework problems correct it is your job as a physicist to communicate effectively how you solved the problem.  This may mean using words to describe what you are doing instead of simply writing down equations. This also means being organized. It is best to do a problem and then transcribe your solution in a neat form to another piece of paper. We will take off for unorganized but correct work.  We also reserve the right to take points off your HW (even when fully correct!) for messy solutions.  

Tests and Final:
There will be three tests plus a final.  Tests are likely to have a take home component.

Communication:
Please consult the web page for class announcements, exam hints, homework assignments, and other useful information.  You are responsible for checking the web page for updates.  Not all announcements will be made in class.

Feel free to call or stop by my office regardless of office hours.    I tend to check my voicemail and email frequently, so if I am not around, I will get in touch with you as soon as possible. One of the benefits of going to a small college like Sweet Briar is the opportunity to get personalized attention from your professors, take advantage of this in all your courses.

back to Classical Mechanics Honors Spring 2003
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last updated 2/2/2003