Jordan University
Faculty of Science
Physics Department
1ST. SEMESTER
2012-2013
0302351 CLASSICAL MECHANICS 1
Providing Department: Physics Department, Faculty of Science
Year: 3
Credit: 3 credit hour
Pre-requisites: 281 (Mathematical Phys.)
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Riyad N. Bitar
Aims: This course includes and not limited to an introduction to the classical mechanics concepts. You will:
 Use more advanced mathematical tools like vectors, operators, differential equations, calculus of
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variations, exponential series, complex numbers and functions, and partial differentiation.
Study different media of oscillatory behaviour as ideal systems and practical systems like damped
or forced oscillators.
Study systems by the use of Hamilton and Lagrangian technique.
Study plantery motion
Course Period:
Duration: 16 weeks in first semester, about 48 hours in total.
Lectures: 45 class lectures, each lecture is one hour.
Learning Outcomes:
The students will benefit in two major ways from studying classical mechanics. They will
gain understanding of the basic principles for systems under forces and systems of
oscillatory behavior and their equations of motion. They will learn new functions
(Hamilton and Lagrangian) which can be used to understand problems with and without
constraints. They will also learn much that will be important in his or her work in the
science. Understanding the basic principle will prepare the student to tackle more
advanced subjects in Physics. The hope that all who study the course will agree after
graduation.
Teaching Method:
Interactive teaching will be conducted in this course. Students will be asked to solve assigned
problems on the board. They might prepare lectures on the material of this course. They will be
asked to present a summery of their talk on either transparency or on a data show that is
supposed to last 30 minutes each. Students will be allowed to ask questions on the lecture as
lecture goes on. In addition each student will be asked to prepare 4 different multiple-choice
questions on his lecture to cover his lecture material. Some of these questions might be used for
the final exam.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
All learning outcomes are assessed by 2 midterm tests during the semester, course activity, and a
final examination.
Mode of Assessment:
1- Two one hour exams (20%); Course activity (10%); Final 2-hours examination (50%)
Syllabus:
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Newtonian Mechanics
Oscillations and Chaos.
Gravitations.
Calculus of Variations.
Hamilton’s Principles.
Planetary Motion
Tentative Content of Course and Time Table:
Chapters
Week
1
2
Newtonian Mechanics.
2
3
4
5
3&4
Oscillations and Chaos.
7
8
5
Gravitations.
9
10
6
Calculus of Variations.
11
12
13
14
7
Hamilton’s Principles.
15
16
8
Planetary Motion
Subject
Attendance Policy:
Lecture attendance is expected. The course notes and the textbook are comprehensive. You are
responsible for the material covered in lectures.
Expected Workload:
On an average, you should expect to spend about 8 hours per week on this course.
Important Dates:
First term exam is expected to cover 1/3 of the material the second term exam is going to be on
the next 1/3 of the material
Final Exam: to be announced by the admission and registration office, please always check!
Feedback:
Concerns or complaints should be expressed in the first instance to the course lecturer. At the
end of the course, the students will be asked to evaluate the content of the course, its teaching,
the learning, and the lecturer. The monitoring of these students feedback will allows the course
quality improvement.
Textbook
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Stephen T Thornton and Jerry B. Marion, 5th Ed.
Thomson Books, 2004
Supporting Material:
1. Mechanics, Keith R. Symon, Addison-Wesley
2. Vibration and Waves, A. P. French, W. W. Norton & Company, 1971.
3. The Physics of Vibrations and Waves, H. J. Pain, Jone Wiley and Sons, 6th.
Ed.2008.
4. Analytial Mechanics, Grant R. Fowles and George L. Cassiday
Instructor:
Name
Office Number
Office Phone
E-mail
Office hours
Prof. Dr. Riyad N. Bitar
16
22044
riyadnb@ju.edu.jo
Any time