PHYS 380 Advanced Mechanics SYLLABUS
Spring, 2011 (revised for three snow days)

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: PHYS 380 Advanced Mechanics I is 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

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
1. using calculus and differential equations;
2. 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)
1. motion under constant forces
2. Motion of a Particle in One Dimension (Chapter 2)
1. motion under forces that depend only on time
2. motion under forces that depend only on velocity
3. motion under forces that depend only on position
4. falling bodies
5. the harmonic oscillator: undamped, damped, and forced
3. Motion of a Particle in Two or Three Dimensions (Chapter 3)
1. vector algebra
2. momentum and energy in three dimensions
3. projectile motion
4. central force motions: circular, elliptical, and hyperbolic motions
4. Motion of a System of Particles (Chapter 4)
1. conservation laws: energy, momentum, angular momentum
2. rockets and conveyor belts
3. collision problems
4. two-body problem & center of mass coordinates
5. Rutherford scattering
6. coupled harmonic oscillators
5. Rigid Bodies; Rotation About an Axis (Chapter 5)
1. simple and compound pendulums
2. moment of inertia
3. 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 8.5 in x 11 in 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 8.5 in x 11 in 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 (see the three study guides) which will be graded and will count as half (4/8) 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

Each homework problem will be assigned with a due date (see below). Homework that is not turned in by the beginning of class 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 timeframes 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 makeup 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.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR TESTS:

• Test #1: Wednesday, 2/23 over elementary and 1-D problems (Ch. 1,2)
• Test #2: Friday, 4/1 over 2-D and 3-D problems (Ch. 3)
• Test #3: Friday, 4/29 over motion of a system of particles, rigid bodies, and rotations (Ch. 4,5)
• Final Exam: TBA

Homework schedule:

due to 2 snow days and R&T days, Mondays with an * will meet from 1:00 to 2:15 instead of 1:00 to 1:50; the third snow day will be made up on Tuesday, May 2, from 1:00 to 1:50.

Monday Wednesday Friday

SNOW 12 14 H1

17 MLK day 19 H2 21 SNOW

14* H3 26 H4 28 H5

31* none Feb.2 H6 4 R&T

7* H7 9 SNOW 11 H8

14* H9 16 H10 18 H11

21* H12 23 Test #1 25 H13

28* H14 Mar 2 H15 4 H16

Spring break week

14 none 16 H17 18 H18

21 none 23 H19 25 H20

28 none 30 H21 Apr.1 H22

4 none 6 Test #2 8 H23

11 none 13 H24 15 H25

18 none 20 H26 22 Good Friday

25 Easter Mon. 27 H27 29 H28

May 1 Test #3 2 none

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