521 Physics Theoretical Mechanics
Fall 2008
Phys 521 Theoretical Mechanics is a capstone course in the theory of classical mechanics. We will cover in detail the motion of particles and rigid bodies, with an emphasis on problem-solving techniques.
Instructor: Cass Sackett Office: Physics 155
Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Class Hours: TR 9:30-10:45 AM, Physics 210 Office Hours: Wednesday 3-5 PM Webpage: http://www.people.virginia.edu/~cas8m/classes/phys521/
Includes links to lecture notes, the homework assignments, and homework solutions.
Text: Fetter and Wallecka, Theoretical Mechanics of Particles and Continua
Additional resources: Landau and Lifshitz, Mechanics Goldstein, Classical Mechanics Marion and Thornton, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems.
Course Outline:
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Newtonian dynamics and conservation laws (Chapter 1) Lagrangian dynamics (Chapter 3) Small oscillations and normal modes (Chapter 4) Accelerated coordinate systems (Chapter 2) Rigid bodies (Chapter 5) Hamiltonian dynamics (Chapter 6) Continuous media (Chapter 7)
Grading:
Homework Your 40% lowest homework score will be dropped when you complete the course evaluation at the end of the semester Qualifier Packet problems 5% Midterm exam 25% Final exam 30%
Homework:
Assignments will be due weekly, normally on Thursdays. Students are encouraged to work together, but should write up their solutions independently. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be assessed a 10% penalty, and will be accepted until the solutions are posted, typically on the following Tuesday. Assignments turned in after that will require approval from the instructor and will likely suffer a significant penalty.
Qualifier Packet problems:
Mo...