Physics 341 - Classical Physics I: Particle Mechanics - Fall 17
Instructor |
Renate Wackerbauer, |
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| Open Office hours | Walk-ins are very welcome; appointments help; email is effective for straight-forward questions. | |||||||||
| Course Info | Phys341, 4 credits | |||||||||
| Prerequisites | Phys220, 301; or permission of instructor. | |||||||||
| Lectures | MWF 2:15 to 3:15 am, T 1:15-2:15, NSCI 207. |
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| Noyes Lab | Access to the Noyes Computer Lab (Rm 101 NSCI) is provided to all students enrolled in a Physics course. Your polar express card lets you in. | |||||||||
| Text | Required text: Classical Mechanics by J.R. Taylor, University Science Books (1st edition, 2005) Supplementary readings: Classical dynamics of particles and systems, by Marion, Thornton, Brooks/Cole (1995) - many examples and pictures Mechanics by K.R. Symon, Prentice Hall (3rd edition, 2001) - that's the book we have used before in phys311/312 Introduction to Classical Mechanics, by A. Ayra, Prentice Hall (1998) - not as complete as symon, but more examples Classical Mechanics, by H. Goldstein, Addison-Wesley (2002) - for advanced reading, usually at graduate level There are many books on introductory classical mechanics in the library that almost all cover the material presented in the lectures. Please explore them to see different approaches to our topics. |
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Course Content |
Newtonian mechanics, conserved mechanical quantities, motion of systems of particles, rigid body statics and dynamics, moving and accelerated coordinate systems, rigid body rotations, and Lagrangian mechanics. | |||||||||
| Course Goals | This
course provides an introduction into the theoretical principles of
classical mechanics. First we explore particle dynamics based on
Newton's laws of motion. Then we discuss particle dynamics in terms of
the Lagrangian concept, which is based on energy concepts. |
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| Student Learning Outcomes | Students learn, --how to describe and solve problems in theoretical classical mechanics --how to describe particle dynamics with Newton's and Lagrangian concepts --to critically compare Newton's concept and Lagrange's concept for certain physical proble |
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Homework |
Homework (10 assignments, each counting 100pts) will be assigned weekly and will be due at the beginning of class, unless explicitely altered at the time of assignment. Late homework will not be accepted. Relevant homework solutions will be posted in the glass case in the Physics Department hallway. I HIGHLY appreciate it if you RECYCLE paper for your homeworks! You can earn 100 bonus points in the homework by giving a 10min presentation to class on a topic related to class, for example the life of a classical physicist, an application of classical mechanics, experiments on classical mechanics, etc. | |||||||||
| Examinations | Two
one-hour in-term examinations and a two hour final examination will be
held during the semester. In-term exams will be held in the classroom.
Upon request, an additional review class may be scheduled before each
exam. The exams will be closed books and closed notes. No calculators,
computers, or communication devices are allowed.
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| Grading | The
maximum score for each homework will be 100 points. A solution
(homework, exam) that presents nothing more than a restatement of the
problem will receive zero credit. Credit will be given for clarity of
presentation, illegible work will not be graded. To pass the
course with a grade higher than an "F", you need 40% of the total
credits. Grades A - D are assigned equal weight for total credits
between 40% and 100%. So, A+ (>97.5), A(>87.5), A-(>85),
B+(>82.5), B(>72.5), B-(>70), C+(>67.5), C(>57.5),
C-(>55), D+(>52.5), D(>42.5), D-(>40). If this class is in
your major you need a grade C- for passing the course and fulfilling
prerequisites. For the final grade homework, exams, etc. will be
weighted as follows:
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| Course policies | Attendance at lectures is expected. Active class participation, questions are extremely welcome in the lectures. A missed exam will receive 0 credit unless the instructor is notified by email, phone, etc before the exam starts. Make-up exams will be individually scheduled with the student. | |||||||||
| Student Obligations | As students of UAF, you are bound by the policies and regulations of the University of Alaska, UAF rules and procedures, and the Student Honor Code. You are obligated to make yourselves familiar with all conditions presented in the UAF Catalog. Plagiarism on homework or on an exam will result in a failing grade. | |||||||||
| Disabilities Services | The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. If you have any kind of dissability, please ensure that you go to the dissabilities services program coordinator. I will work with the office of disabilities services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accomodations to students with disabilities. |