PHYS 380 SYLLABUS
Spring 2013
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: PHYS 380 Advanced Mechanics I
Primarily an advanced study of the kinetics and dynamics of single particles: Newton’s
laws, concepts of momentum, work, energy; and conservation principles.
Prerequisite: PHYS 251 and MATH 232.
One semester; three credits
TEXT: recommended but not required: Mechanics by Symon; study guides and notes
including homework problems are provided on the course web page
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Johnny B. Holmes, Professor of Physics
office: CW 103
office phone: 321-3448
e-mail: jholmes@cbu.edu
home page: http://facstaff.cbu.edu/~jholmes
course: http://facstaff.cbu.edu/~jholmes/P380/intro.html
PREREQUISITES BY TOPICS: Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of energy, conservation
of linear momentum, conservation of angular momentum, differential equations, and vector
calculus.
GOALS:
1. To train the student to think about physical phenomena in mathematical terms.
2. To deepen the student’s understanding of the basic laws of Newtonian (classical) mechanics
a) using calculus and differential equations;
b) using numerical methods with calculators/computers.
3. To become familiar with order of magnitude estimates of various physical parameters and
phenomena.
4. To increase the student’s ability to apply scientific principles and methods by applying them
to a particular area of investigation.
TOPICS:
1. Review of Newtonian Mechanics; (Chapter 1)
a) motion under constant force
2. Motion of a Particle in One Dimension (Chapter 2)
a) motion under forces that depend only on time
b) motion under forces that depend only on velocity
c) motion under forces that depend only on position
d) falling bodies
e) the harmonic oscillator: undamped, damped, and forced
3. Motion of a Particle in Two or Three Dimensions (Chapter 3)
a) vector algebra
b) momentum and energy in three dimensions
c) projectile motion with air resistance
d) central force motions: circular, elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic motions
4. Motion of a System of Particles (Chapter 4)
a) conservation laws: energy, momentum, angular momentum
b) rockets and conveyor belts
c) collision problems
PHYS 380
Syllabus
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2
d) two-body problem & center of mass coordinates
e) Rutherford scattering
f) coupled harmonic oscillators
5. Rigid Bodies; Rotation About an Axis (Chapter 5)
a) simple and compound pendulums
b) moment of inertia
c) flexible strings and cables
GRADING:
Grading will be based on both tests and homework. On the test part there will be three tests and
a final. Each of these four tests will count as 1/8 of the final grade. For each regular test you
may bring in one 8½”x11” sheet of paper with writing on one side. The questions for the tests will
be taken mostly from the study questions on the study guide. For the final you may bring in two
8½”x11” sheets of paper with writing on one side each (or one sheet with writing on both sides).
The questions for the final will come mostly from the previous tests. On the homework part there
will be 28 homework problems that will be graded and will count as ½ of the final grade. NOTE:
YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 65% ON YOUR HOMEWORK GRADE TO PASS THE COURSE.
Assuming you do have at least a 65% on your homework grade, your final grade will be based on
the following scale:
A: 90-100; B: 80-90; C: 65-80; D: 60-65; F: 0-60
The homework will be assigned with a due date (see below). Homework that is not turned in
before the test on the due date will incur a 10% penalty, and homework that has not been turned
in two weeks from the due date will incur a 30% penalty. Homework will not be accepted for
credit after the last day of regular classes for the semester. Each homework problem will
normally be worth 10 points. Your homework grade will be your total homework score divided by
280, and this fraction will be multiplied by 100 for your homework score (which is half of your
course grade).
Homework should be legible and easily followable. Any equations used should be identified with
words, and intermediate mathematical steps should be included. Answers should be shown to
be reasonable by arguments based on examination of limiting cases and common sense
whenever possible. Homework will normally be returned at the next class and may be redone
and re-submitted based on the comments or corrections, but the re-submitted homework will be
subject to the same grading time-frames as the original specified above unless otherwise
specified at the time. For example, if you turn in a homework assignment on the due date, and it
is returned the next class with a 5/10 grade, you may resubmit a corrected version the next week
for a maximum of 9/10.
ABSENCES:
Class absences will not be counted, but homework due dates will be maintained regardless of
class attendance. Test absences will incur a 10% penalty with a good excuse or a 20% penalty
without a good excuse, and a make-up test will be given as soon as can be arranged. If you
know beforehand that you will miss a test, you can contact me and arrange to take it early with
no penalty - but I need at least 24 hours notice to have the test ready.
PHYS 380
Syllabus
page
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR TESTS:
Test #1: Wed. 2/13 over elementary and 1-D problems (Ch. 1,2)
Test #2: Fri. 3/27
over 2-D and 3-D problems (Ch. 3)
Test #3: Fri. 4/26 over motion of a system of particles, rigid bodies, and
rotations (Ch. 4,5)
Homework schedule:
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
9 H1
11 H2
14 H3
16 H4
18 H5
21 MLK day
23 H6
25 H7
28 none
30 H8
Feb.1
Jan.7
4 H10
H9
6 H11
8 H12
11
none
13 Test #1
15 H13
18
none
20 H14
22 H15
25
none
27 H16
Mar. 1
Spring
break
H17
week
11
none
13 H18
15 H19
18
none
20 H20
22 H21
25
none
27 Test #2
29 Good Friday
1 Easter Monday
Apr.
8
none
10 H24
12 H25
15 none
17 H26
19 H27
22
24 H28
26 Test #3
none
29 none
3 H22
Final Exam is TBA
5 H23
3