PHY 303: Mechanics


Welcome to the home page of Physics 303 for Fall 2012.

PHY 303 is the undergraduate introduction to classical mechanics, in its Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations.



Lecturer: Leonardo Rastelli

Teaching Assistant: Hualong Gervais

Contacts: leonardo.rastelli{at}stonybrook.edu  Office:  Math Tower 6-115B.

                  hualong.gervais{at}stonybrook.edu Office: A-105
                

Lectures: Monday and Wednesday, 4:00-5:20pm in Room P-113.

Books:   John R. Taylor, ``Classical Mechanics'', University Science Books, 2005 (required).
            
               Additional Books: 
               Feynman's Lectures on Physics, volume I (Addison Wesley, various editions): elementary, but very insightful presentation from a master
               Louis N.  Hand, Janet D. Finch,  ``Analytical Mechanics'', Cambridge University Press, 1998 (optional, more advanced).


Office Hours: Lecturer: Wednesday, 1pm-2:30pm in Math Tower 6-115B.
                        TA:  Monday 1pm-2pm, Tuesday 1pm-2pm in A-105


Course Grade: based on Homework (20%), Midterm (35%), Final (45%).


Notes on vectors and linear algebra 1 & 2 :

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    Course Outline:

    Mathematical preliminaries and review of Newton's laws.
    Conservation laws of momentum, angular momentum and energy.
    Oscillations and harmonic motion.
    Lagrange's equations.
    The central-force problem.
    Mechanics in non-inertial frames.
    The motion of rigid bodies.
    Coupled oscillators and normal modes.
    Hamilton's equations.


    Homework:     The homework problem sets will be usually assigned each Monday and due the following Monday in class. 

                          Discussion of the homework is strongly encouraged but each of you must submit a personal solution.

                          HW1 (due Monday Sept 10 in class):

                          Problems in Taylor: 1.6, 1.10, 1.12, 1.22, 1.48  (look first at 1.47, whose solution is given at the end of the book).


                          HW2 (due Monday Sept 17 in class):

                          Problems in Taylor: 1.26, 1.40, 3.4, 3.12, 3.36

            


                          HW3 (due Monday Sept 24 in class):

                          Problems in Taylor: 2.4, 2.16, 2.36, 2.38, 2.40, 2.54

             


                         HW4 (due Monday Oct 1 in class):

                          Problems in Taylor: 4.2, 4.4, 4.12, 4.34, 4.38(a) (point (b) is optional), 4.36

               


                         HW5 (due Monday Oct 8 in class):

                         Problems in Taylor: 5.13, 5.18, 5.26, 5.30, 5.41, 5.44

                      

                         
                         HW6     (due Monday Oct 15 in class):

                         Problems in Taylor: 6.12, 6.18, 7.8, 7.10, 7.16, 7.22

              


                         HW7 (due Monday Oct 22 in class):

                         Problems in Taylor: 7.20, 7.28, 7.36, 7.38, 13.2, 13.10

                      


                         HW8 (due Monday Nov 12 in class):

                         Problems in Taylor: 8.10, 8.12, 8.14, 8.16, 8.30

        


                         HW9 (due Monday Nov 19 in class):

                        Problems in Taylor: 8.22, 8.34,  9.14,  9.18, 9.20

                        
                         HW10     (due Monday Dec 3 in class):

                         Problems in Taylor: 10.22, 10.28, 10.32, 10.42, 10.44

                 



                        HW11 (required, but will not be graded):

                        Problems in Taylor: 11.14, 11.18,  13.13, 13.14, 13.28

                    



    Midterm Exam

    There will be an in-class midterm on Oct 29 (moved to Nov 7).



    Final Exam

    Tuesday December 11, 8.30-11pm, in HUM 1006.




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    If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any, are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

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