Physics 5200: Mechanical Phenomena
Winter 2003
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3:00 - 3:55 PM  Room: Phy 177
Instructor:
Boris Nadgorny (389 Physics), 313-577-2757.
 
Office Hours:
M, W: 4 pm - 5 pm or by appointment.
 
Text:
An Introduction To Mechanics , Kleppner/ Kolenkow (McGraw-Hill)

Other Possible Supplemental Books:
The Feynman Lectures on Physics (good introduction)
Barger and Olsson, Classical Mechanics, A Modern perspective (good problems)
Symon, Mechanis; Marion, Classical Dynamics, (standard texts)
Taylor and Wheeler, Spacetime Physics (Relativity)
 
Course Description:
PHY 5200 course is devoted to the study of mechanics of particles and solid bodies in the presence of forces and/or fields. Mechanics is indispensable for physicists and engineers, and is widely used in many areas of modern science. Without a solid grasp of mechanics it almost impossible to learn and understand all other areas of science, such as astronomy, quantum mechanics, statistical and thermal physics, optics, atomic, high energy and nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, and the list goes on… It is also widely used in architecture and construction, car, plane, and ship design, and space exploration. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of mechanics is of utmost importance to an aspiring scientist or engineer. In addition, the course will give an introduction to the special theory of relativity, which helps one to understand the relationship and the meaning of time and space.
 
Course Objectives:
The principal objectives of this introductory course are for you to learn fundamental concepts of mechanics and to develop the problem-solving skills to apply these fundamentals. Since professional scientists and engineers must be proficient problem solvers, and it is impossible to really understand any area of physics without solving problems, homework assignments are an integral part of this course. Sufficient knowledge of calculus (especially differential equations) is required.
 
Homework:
Homework will be assigned weekly on the first class of the week and are due in a week. It is acceptable (and can be very useful) to discuss homework problems with each other and compare different possible solutions. However, copied homework will not be credited. On the day the homework is due it will either be collected, or a quiz will be giving on one of the homework problems. Therefore, no make up homework/quizzes will be possible. One homework/quiz (with the lowest score) in the course of the semester can be discarded.
 
Bonus Problems:
Bonus problems (typically qualitative problems) will be given to students in class. Students will discuss them with each other and ask the lecturer additional questions. By the end of the class the students will have to answer the question based on their assessment of the arguments.
 
Grades:
First Exam 20%
Midterm 20%
Final Exam 35%
Homework 25%
Bonus Problems 10%
Total 110%

 Note that the maximum score possible is 110%
 
Course Outline:
  1. Mathematical introduction: (Ch. 1)
    Vectors, derivatives
    Different coordinate systems (Cartesian, polar, spherical, cylindrical)
    Kinematics (velocity and acceleration in different frames, motion in one dimension)
    Units, dimensionless analysis
     
  2. Examples of laws in one and two dimensions (Ch. 2-3)
    Newton’s Laws, Forces in Physics
    Momentum: Conservation, Mass Flow
    Dynamics of systems of Particles
    Center of Mass
     
  3. Work and Energy (Ch.4-5)
    Work and Energy, Energy Conservation, Power
    Potential energy and Force
    The Gradient
    Force as the gradient
    One-dimensional motion
    Small Oscillations
    Particle Collision
     
  4. Angular momentum (Ch. 6, Ch.7 Supplemental)
    Conservation of Angular momentum, Torque
    Moment of Inertia,
    Dynamics of a rigid body
    Pendulum
    Angular velocity
    The gyroscope
     
  5. Accelerated (non-inertial) systems (Ch. 8 Supplemental)
    The Galilean Transformation
    Uniform Acceleration
    Earth as Non-inertial System, The Corioulis force
     
  6. Central Force Motion (Ch.9)
    The energy conservation and energy diagrams
    Planetary motion
    Kepler’s Laws
     
  7. Oscillations and waves (Ch. 10)
    Harmonic Oscillator
    Resonance
    Damped Oscillations
    Forced Oscillators
    Wave motion
     
  8. Special Relativity (Ch. 11-13)
    Kinematics: Galilean Transformation, Simultaneity,
    Lorenz Transformations, Timelike and Spacelike Intervals, Doppler Effect
    Dynamics: Relativistic Energy and Momentum, Scattering,
    Compton Effect, Mass and Energy, Light Pressure
     

   
Copyright ©2006 Boris Edward Nadgorny