SYLLABUS
Physics 330, “Classical Mechanics”
Fall, 2007
Instructor
Dr. Thomas E Wilson
Office: S153
Lab: S154
Phone: 696-2752
E-mail: wilsont@marshall.edu
Office Hours
MTWRF 3:30-4:30
If you are unable to make these times, I am happy to meet with you at any time. You are free to come by my office or lab, but your chances of finding me are better if you make an appointment.
Overview
The goals of this course are twofold. First we wish to make the student familiar with the techniques and methods of solving problems in classical mechanics. The level of the course will be aimed at students who have completed the introductory physics sequence, but a fairly high level of mathematical sophistication will be used. In particular we will pay attention to the areas of classical mechanics that are relevant to other areas of physics. For example, Hamiltonian mechanics forms the foundation for quantum mechanics. The second goal of the course is to introduce the student to mathematical methods and problem solving techniques that will be useful in areas of physics outside of classical mechanics.
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 assignment turned in should 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.
Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from the course with no record by 4 pm August 24 th
at the Registrar’s office. Students may withdraw from the course and receive a W on their transcript before October
26 th
. Students who are considering withdrawing from the course are encouraged to discuss their standing with me first.
Text/Course WebCT Vista site
The text for the course is Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, 5 th
ed., by Thornton and Marion, Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing. Most of the homework will be drawn from the text, with some ancillary material taken from other sources. I will also make use of our course WebCT Vista website (vista.marshall.edu) to make announcements overlooked in class such as reading assignments etc., so please check this site on a regular basis.
Lecture
Class meets from 2-3:15 on TR in S258. One of the things I hope to do is to use computers to do

numerical calculations and for solving differential equations. The plan is to use MathCAD as the software package.
Grades
Grades (thresholds: A 90%, B 80%, C 70%, D 60%) for the course will be determined as follows:
Homework
Homework 50%
In-class exams (4) 40%
Final exam 10%
Exams
Homework will be assigned weekly, and will be due approximately one week after it is assigned. Problem solutions should be presented in a legible, coherent manner on stapled, standard size paper. The process of solving the problem should be explained along with any calculations that are done. If the calculation is done on a computer, the program used should be discussed as well, and results interpreted in light of the physics involved. Simply providing computer output is not suitable. Any drawings, graphs, or sketches must be computer generated.
Failure to turn in legible homework assignments may result in a reduction in your homework score. Most assigned problems will be out of the text, but there will be additional problems based on material discussed in class.
There will be four in-class exams during the semester, along with the final. The dates for the exams are given below.
Exam 1: Friday, September 14 th
.
Exam 2: Wednesday, October 10 th
.
Exam 3: Monday, November 5 th
Exam 4: Monday, November 26 rd
The exam format will be closed book, and the student will be asked to solve problems similar to the problems assigned for homework. The final exam will be comprehensive, and is scheduled for Friday,
December 6 th
, from 12:45 to 2:45 pm. The student’s low score on the in-class exams will be replaced by their score on the final.
Topics Covered
We will try to cover the first 8 chapters of the text, with the exception of chapter 4. If time permits, additional material will be covered.

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