P235W

Classical Mechanics

Fall 2007

 

SCHEDULE

The number of class times available this academic term is less than prior years due to term starting on Tuesday 4 Sept, and Fall Break. To make up for this reduction in number of classes, the two exams will be scheduled in B&L 106 in the evening at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm on Tuesday 16 Oct, and Tuesday 13 Nov.

Date
Lecture note
Topic
 
chapters
 
5 Sept
1/2
Mathematics, vectors, transformations, scalar and vector differential operators
10 Sept
3
Newtonian mechanics
12 Sept
4
Work and energy. Equations of motion
17 Sept
5/6
Newton's equations of motion/Gravitation
19 Sept
7
Oscillations
24 Sept
8
Forced oscillations.
26 Sept
9
Non-linear Dynamics and Chaos
1 Oct
10
Calculus of variations
3 Oct
11
Calculus of variations, 2
10 Oct
12
Lagrangian dynamics
15 Oct
13
Lagrangian dynamics 2
17 Oct
14
Symmetries, invariance, and Hamiltonian
22 Oct
15
Hamiltonian mechanics
23 Oct
First Midterm Examination, 1930 - 2100hours B&L 106
24 Oct
16
Two-body motion for central force
29 Oct
17
Central-force orbits
31 Oct
18
Motion in non-inertial reference frames
7 Nov
19
Motion in a rotating reference frame
12 Nov
20
Rigid body inertia tensor
14 Nov
21
Properties of rigid-body inertia tensor
19 Nov
22
Dynamics of rigid bodies
26 Nov
23
Coupled oscillations
28 Nov
24
Normal modes for discrete oscillator systems
3 Dec
25
Canonical transformations, Phase Space, and Poisson brackets
5 Dec
26
Relativistic Mechanics
10 Dec
27
Relativistic Mechanics
12 Dec
28
Review
17 Dec
Final Examination, 1915-2215 hours