Syllabus: Intermediate Mechanics 2
Dr. Vern Lindberg
Office 8-3344
E-mail vern.lindberg@rit.edu
Phone 475-2546
Website http://people.rit.edu/vwlsps/
Intermediate Mechanics 402 covers Chapters 7 to 11 (partial) of the text. We will use
results from Mechanics 1, equations of motion, non-inertial reference frames, oscillations,
central forces, and apply them to new situations. Conservation of momentum for colliding
systems and rocket systems will be covered, as well as center of mass and rotation about an
axis of fixed orientation (such as you did in University Physics 2.) We will then jump to the
Lagrangian formulation of mechanics including Hamilton’s Variational Principle, Lagrange
multipliers and a touch on Hamiltonians, return to the general case of rotation introducing
moment of inertia tensors, and end with more details on the dynamics of oscillating systems
including stability analysis and matrix formulation of coupled oscillators.
Prerequisites: Mechanics 1, SPSP 401.
Chapter
7
8
10
9
11
Topic
Center of mass, reduced mass, Lagrange points,
“rocket” problems
Rotation about axis of fixed orientation,
Physical pendulum and elliptic integrals
Hamilton’s Variational Principal, Lagrangians,
Lagrange Multipliers, Hamiltonians
General rotation, Tensors, Euler equations, Euler angles
Stability analysis of oscillating systems,
coupled oscillators and matrix methods
Approximate Time
2 weeks
2 weeks
2.5 weeks
2.5 weeks
1 week
Grading: There will be 1 midterm (35%) plus the final exam (35%). Expect regular
homework (30%).
The midterm will be in the early part of Week 5 (Jan 10-12) when I am at a conference.
One of the remaining classes will be cancelled, and the other will need to be made up. I
will send a Doodle poll to find an appropriate time that we can meet.
The final is Monday Feb 21 at 2:45. Cutoffs start at the usual 90/80/70/60 levels and may
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be relaxed—if so I will tell you.
Text: Analytical Mechanics, 7 th Ed., Grant Fowles & George Cassiday, Thompson Brooks/Cole,
ISBN 0-534-49492-7 (The 6th edition is also acceptable.)
Policies: I expect that the work you do is your own, not taken from another student or
cramster. You can feel free to discuss homework with your peers, but the final product
should be yours. I expect regular attendance. Notify me via e-mail immediately about
any absences. If practical, supply a note from health service/doctor for prolonged health
related absences. I have an open door office policy: my schedule is available on my website,
other than that I am generally available from 9 am to 4 pm daily, and am happy to see
you.
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