Physics 310 - Theoretical Mechanics I - Fall Semester 2008

Course Information

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Undergraduate Theoretical Mechanics I (3 credits)

Classes: Tuesday and Thursday 0900-1015 in 114 Watanabe Hall, UHM

See schedule below

Particle dynamics, rigid body dynamics, planetary motion. Prerequisite Physics 151 or 170, and Math 232 (concurrent alright).

General Information and Comments:

• The text will be
• ``Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems'' by Thornton and Marion, Fifth Edition, Thomson (2004). Website http://info.brookscole.com/thornton
• The pace will be about 1-2 weeks per chapter. We will cover chapters:
• 1: Mathematical Introduction
• 2: Newtonian Mechanics - Single Particle
• 3: Oscillations
• 4: Non-linear Oscillations and Chaos
• 5: Gravitation
• 6: Some Methods in the Calculus of Variations
• 7: Hamilton's Principle - Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics
• Please read the first chapter before Thurs, 23 August. We will lightly cover the topics there, and come back to them as needed later in the course. Much of this course will depend upon this knowledge, and it is important preparation for later more advanced courses. So, if you are weak in this area, or have never seen some of this material, it is time to hit the books before you get swamped. It will make more sense as we see the applications.... but these are tools you need for this semester and much more for later, and as a professional physicist.
• Class attendance required (or -1 grade). Students will sometimes be asked to present problem solutions on the board in class. This is good practice, and helps us all get mutual understanding.
• Homework requires thinking; no copied old solutions accepted. Think of solving these problems as a game, a mental exercise, a workout like going to the gym. The point is in doing them, not so much getting the precise answer... it is the mental struggle which is the real learning goal, learning to think like a physicist.
• Classes will alternate between lectures and problem solving.
• Because this is a small class, we will run it more in the British tutorial style. Coming to class unprepared will not work. You need to put aside time to at least quickly read the chapter before class. It takes me an hour to read a chapter, it is not light reading.
• Computer experience will be part of course. Everyone needs an email account.
• Grades will be 30% class participation and homework, 40% midterms (dates TBD), and 30% final paper and/or exam.

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Month	Date	Day	Topic in Class	Assign due this Class Day
Aug	26	Tu	Register, assign book	Read Chapt. 1
	28	Th	Overview, Chapt. 1	1-3, 1-8
Sep	2	Tu	1	1-11, 1-22, 1-40
	4	Th	2	2-1, 2-2
	9	Tu	2	2-33
	11	Th	2	2-49, 2-53
	16	Tu	2
	18	Th	2 & 3	Read Chapt. 3
	23	Tu	3	3-1, 2, 3
	25	Th	3	3-8, 18, 19
	30	Tu	3	3-26, 30, 40, 45
Oct	2	Th	4	Read Chapt. 4
	7	Tu	4
	9	Th	4
	14	Tu	1-4	Study
	16	Th	First Exam	Chapts 1-4
	21	Tu	5	5- 2, 3, 6
	23	Th	5	5- 10, 11
	28	Tu	5	5 -15, 18
	30	Th	5
Nov	4	Tu	5
	6	Th	review
	11	Tu	Second Exam	Chapt 5
	13	Th	6
	18	Tu	6	6-7
	20	Th	7
	25	Tu	7	7-3, 4, 6
	27	Th	Thanksgiving	Holiday
	2	Tu	7	7-7, 8, 10, 16, 18
	4	Th	7	7-22, 24, 25
Dec	9	Tu	7	7-27, 30, 35
	11	Th	Review	7-36, 37, 40
	?	?	09:45-11:45	Final Exam

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teacher: Prof. John G. Learned
office: 327 Watanabe Hall, UHM
office phone: (808)-956-2964
email: jgl@phys.hawaii.edu
office hours: after class, until lunch time, and other times by appointment.

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