PHYSICS 352
MECHANICS
Fall 2007

Instructor: Wayne Meshejian                       Office: Science Bldg. 208c
Office telephone: 395-2584                            Office hours: 2 - 2:50 PM M,W,F and 3 - 3:50 PM R
E-mail: meshejianwk@longwood.edu          Home Page: http://www.longwood.edu/staff/meshejianwk
 

Course Description: A mathematical study of motion using Newtonian and Lagrangian techniques. Prerequisite: Physics 201,202; Prerequisite or corequisite: Mathematics 460. 4 lecture periods; 4 credits.

Text:
Grant R. Fowles and George L. Cassiday, Analytical Mechanics. Seventh edition. Belmont,CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2005.

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, you will

1.  understand the principles of Newtonian mechanics,
2.  know when and how to apply these principles in various ways, and
3.  understand and use Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics.
Class Schedule:

Week 1 - 4
Aug. 27 - Sept. 21

    Chapter 1 Fundamental Concepts. Vectors.
          Test on Sept. 21
Week 5 - 7
Sept. 24 - Oct. 5
    Chapter 2 Newtonian Mechanics. Rectilinear Motion of a Particle.
          Test on Oct. 5
Week 7 - 10
Oct. 10 - Oct. 26
    Chapter 3 The Harmonic Oscillator.
          Test on Oct. 26
Week 11 - 13
Oct. 29 - Nov. 16
    Chapter 4 General Motion of a Particle in Three Dimensions.
Test on Nov. 16
Week 13 - 15
Nov. 19 - Dec. 7
    Chapter 10 Lagrangian Mechanics.


Course Requirements:
  Four tests
  Final exam        11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Tuesday, Dec. 11 (or, if needed, 3:00 - 5:30 PM,  Thursday, Dec. 13)

Grading:
Grades will be assigned according to the scale:

  A     92 - 100
  B     80 - 91+
  C     70 - 79+
  D     60 - 69+
Five tests will be given including an equally weighted final exam. The final exam will include not only the last block of material, but also optional questions that can add points to previous test scores. To help you prepare for these tests, non-credit homework problems similar to test questions will be provided from the text or from class.

Attendance Policy:
You are expected to attend all lectures and labs, and are responsible for all course material, assignments and instructions given at these times; neither absence nor inattention waives these responsibilities. Assignments are expected to be submitted on time and tests taken on the day assigned unless prior arrangements have been made. Exceptions may be made in the event of a verifiable emergency. A grade of F will be assigned if you fail to attend three-fourths of the lectures. It is your responsibility to inform me of your presence immediately after class if you arrive after roll is called; else you will be considered absent.

Honor Code:
The Honor Code has four basic provisions which strictly forbid lying, cheating, stealing and plagiarism. These provisions are standards of integrity and are moral obligations that you are expected to keep in this course.

Other items:
A calculator capable of performing trigonometric and logarithmic operations is needed.

Bibliography:
 References required of all students:
Any reasonably complete table of integrals (such as listed in most calculus texts).

Other references:
Murray R. Spiegel. Theory and Problems of Theoretical Mechanics. New York, NY: Schaum Publishing Co.

On occasions, you may need to access my web page http://www.longwood.edu/staff/meshejianwk for additional information.