1-D Oscillations, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian, Central Force, Nonintertial Frames, Rigid Bodies
This is a course in classical mechanics. This is the first of a two-semester sequence for upper-level undergraduates. It will cover: 1-D oscillations, gravitation, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics, central force motion, nonintertial reference frames, and rigid body dynamics.
A student taking this course should expect to do, on average, at least two hours of written homework and one hour of complementary reading for each class meeting. Read the reading assignments before class, or at least skim it so that you have some notion of the class topics prior to class time. There will be a homework assignment due for most class meetings.
PHYS 2305 and 2306, MATH 2214, or equivalent
| Quizzes | 20% |
| Homework | 30% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
Your final course grade will be based on a combination of your ranking relative to the other class members, and on your absolute score. The absolute scores will strongly influence the fraction of A's and B's (and so on) in the class.
Exams will cover material from the reading, lecture, and homework assignments. If you miss an exam you will get an incomplete for the course. It is possible to take an exam before the scheduled time if you have what the instructor considers to be a valid excuse days prior to the exam.
There will be a short quiz given at most classes. There are no make-up quizzes. The lowest five quiz scores will be dropped. The level of difficultly of the quizzes will vary. Some quizzes may contain extra credit questions, which will only count toward your course quiz score if your total is less than 100 %. All quizzes will count equally toward your grade. Quiz topics may cover any past due homework, past and current reading assignments, and past lecture material including the current lecture.
No homework sets will be dropped. All homework sets will count equally toward your grade. Homework should be handed in on stapled papers at the start of class. If you are not able to come to class on a given day you may, at your option: slide the homework under my office door, email the homework (as an attachment) to me at lanceman@phys.vt.edu, or have a friend hand it in in class for you (all by the due time). Please don't email homework as MS Word documents to me; use PDF, or another common printable (8.5 in X 11 in) 2-D image format.
The honor code pertains to all aspects of this course. You are encouraged to work with others in studying the material and discussing homework and other course related problems, but all work (exams, quizzes, and homework) turned in under your name must be your own work.
