Physics 341 - Classical Physics I: Particle Mechanics - Fall 20
Instructor |
Renate Wackerbauer, |
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| Open Office hours | Due to Covid19 there are no walk-in office hours unless the situation improves; meeting via zoom works; email is effective for straight-forward questions. additional recitation classes can be scheduled on request. | |||||||||
| 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, REIC 203 Lectures will be/start f2f; they will be recorded, uploaded to "google classroom", and shared with all students in class. Due to the fluid situation with covid, the course modality can change throughout the semester. In the case of online course delivery, lectures would be offered synchronously (tablet with whiteboard), recorded, and uploaded into google classroom. |
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| Noyes Lab | Access to the Noyes Computer Lab (REIC 101) 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 via "google classroom" and will
be due by 2:00 pm on the following Friday, unless explicitely altered
at the time of assignment. Late homework will not be accepted. Finished
homework should be uploaded as a pdf-file to "google classroom". 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. in case of issues with the homework link use: ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/wacker/CLASS/341.html |
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| 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. 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 to 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 at least 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. Students should keep up-to-date on the university's policies, practices, and mandates related to COVID-19 by regularly checking this website: Further, students are expected to adhere to the university’s policies, practices, and mandates and are subject to disciplinary actions if they do not comply. |
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| Student Protection and Services Statement |
Every qualified student is welcome in my
classroom. As needed, I am happy to work with you, disability services,
veterans' services, rural student services, etc. to find reasonable
accommodations. Students at this university are protected against
sexual harassment and discrimination (Title IX), and minors have
additional protections. As required, if I notice or am informed of
certain types of misconduct, then I am required to report it to the
appropriate authorities. For more information on your rights as a
student and the resources available to you to resolve problems, please
go the following site: www.uaf.edu/handbook/. UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: https://alaska.edu/nondiscrimination/. Your instructor follows the University of Alaska Fairbanks Incomplete Grade Policy: “The letter “I” (Incomplete) is a temporary grade used to indicate that the student has satisfactorily completed (C or better) the majority of work in a course but for personal reasons beyond the student’s control, such as sickness, has not been able to complete the course during the regular semester. Negligence or indifference are not acceptable reasons for an “I” grade.” Effective communication: Students who have difficulties with oral presentations and/or writing are strongly encouraged to get help from the UAF Department of Communication's Speaking Center (907-474-5470, speak@uaf.edu) and the UAF English Department's Writing Center (907-474-5314, Gruening 8th floor), and/or CTC's Learning Center (604 Barnette Street, 907-455- 2860). |