PH435/535 - CAPSTONES IN PHYSICS: CLASSICAL MECHANICS

Spring 2010

Course Information

In the paradigm sequence you have studied (and are studying) selected examples of key physical phenomena that occur repeatedly in different areas of physics. The characteristic behavior associated with central forces, for example, may be found in classical orbital mechanics, atomic physics, and electrostatics. In this capstone, we will concentrate on classical mechanics, stepping back to consider the general principles that allow one to deal with broad classes of physical situations. We will revisit some of the paradigms you have already seen, but we will also investigate many more examples.

The goals of this course are:

• to help you understand and enjoy some of the fundamental ideas that form the intellectual foundation of physics;
• to provide the "tactical tools" needed to (i) size up a novel physical system, (ii) obtain the equation(s) of motion, and (iii) solve the equation(s) of motion to predict the behavior of the system from given initial conditions.

The course will comprise three main parts. The first is a survey of the methods of Newtonian mechanics with applications to single particle motion and simple collisions. The next will be an introduction to the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods of deriving equations of motion. Finally, we will develop and apply the method of normal coordinates to deal with problems involving coupled oscillators.

• Homework will be due each Wednesday.
• Homework should be turned in before class on the day it is due. The solutions will be posted promptly, after which homework is considered late. If your homework is late, I may grade it if you have an acceptable excuse, I may scale it as exp(-N) where N is the number of days past due.
• Science is inherently a social and collaborative effort, each scientist building on the work of others. Nevertheless, each student must ultimately be responsible for his or her own education. Therefore, you will be expected to abide by a number of ground rules.
  1. We strongly encourage students to work with each other, more advanced students, the TA, and the professor, when they get stuck on assignments (including computer work). However, each student is expected to turn in assignments that have been independently written up. In other words, the final synthesis must be entirely your own. This applies also to, and especially to, computer generated worksheets. If you work with someone on a computer project, do not get locked in to writing the solution together. You will end up turning in the same assignment.
  2. Homework solutions from previous years are very strictly off limits. You are on your honor not to use them, and not to share your homework solutions with other students. Allow faculty to use their time interacting with you, rather than continually thinking up new assignments. Besides, if you don't do the work yourself, it will show up very clearly on exams later. Likewise, the solutions are for your use only. You may make one copy and keep it in your personal files.
  3. Sources must be appropriately documented. If you find a homework problem worked out somewhere (other than homework solutions from previous years), you may certainly use that resource, just make sure you reference it properly. If someone else helps you solve a problem, reference that too. In a research paper, the appropriate reference would be Jane Doe, (private communication).
  4. Plagiarism – representing someone else's work as your own – is unethical, but collaboration and exchange of ideas is healthy. You can avoid collaborative efforts taking on the look of plagiarism by acknowledging sources and by writing up your work independently.
  5. If you find that you have worked on a problem for 1/2 hour without making any forward progress, it would be a good idea to stop and seek help.

PH435: Final exam: 45%. Midterm exam 30%. Homework 25%.
PH535: Final exam: 35%. Midterm exam 20%. Homework 25% Paper 20%

FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, June 8, 2:00 pm

A short paper on a topic of your choosing is required. It should include a brief introduction, a calculation, and some comment on why the calculation is useful or interesting. It can be an extension of some problem assigned in the text or the resources, and should be handed in and presented as a 10-minute talk on the final day of class. A topic should be proposed in writing by May 7. The level of effort expected is approximately equivalent to 1-2 week's homework. Some guidelines should help avoid pitfalls. If any member of the PH435 class is interested in this option, please talk to me.

• J. R. Taylor, Classical Mechanics, Univ. Sci. Books, 2005.

Students with documented disabilities who may need accomodations, who have any emergency medical information which the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.

Last Update: 3/24/10

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© David McIntyre, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, 2010.