Classical Mechanics

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
PHYS 2211
Discontinued
No
Course code
PHYS 2211
Descriptive
Classical Mechanics
Department
Physics
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202520
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
36
Contact hours
4 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

The classes will be a mixture of short lectures, with in class solution of selected word problems.  There might be an on-line component.  

Course description
A course in classical mechanics covering kinematics, dynamics, calculus of variations including Lagrange's equations, non-inertial reference frames, central forces and orbits, rigid body motion, and Hamiltonian mechanics.
Course content
  1. Newtonian mechanics
  2. Conservation of momentum and angular momentum
  3. Conservation of energy
  4. Two-body problems: Central forces and gravitation
  5. Rotational motion of rigid bodies
  6. Mechanics in non-inertial reference frames
  7. Oscillators and coupled oscillators
  8. Lagrangian mechanics
  9. Hamiltonian mechanics
Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the students will demonstrate an understanding of the following concepts, procedures and principles of mechanics through the solution of problems related to and or using:

  • Newton's laws of motion: mass, force, inertial versus non-inertial reference frames
  • Vectors and vector-valued functions in two- and three-dimensions: Cartesian, Polar, Cylindrical and Spherical coordinates systems
  • Projectile motion with linear and quadratic drag
  • Motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field
  • Conservation of momentum and angular momentum, centre of mass, moment of inertia
  • Conservation of energy: kinetic energy and work, potential energy, potentials and conservative forces
  • Two body central force problems: central forces, Kepler's laws, equations of motion, equations of orbits  
  • Oscillations: Hooke's Law, Simple Harmonic Motion, driven damped oscillations, resonance
  • Coupled Oscillators: equations of motion and matrix notation, normal modes
  • Rotational motion of rigid bodies: total momentum, angular momentum, kinetic energy and potential energy of the centre of mass
  • Mechanics in non-inertial reference frames: Newton's Laws in rotating and non-rotating frames, centrifugal forces, Coriolis force, Tides and the Foucault pendulum
  • Lagrangian mechanics: review of calculus of variations, Euler-Lagrange equations, Lagrange's equations of motion, Hamilton's principle, generalized coordinates (optional), Lagrange multipliers and constraints, Symmetries and Conservation Laws,  Noether's Theorem (optional)
  • Hamiltonian mechanics: the Hamiltonian, Hamilton's equations of motion 
Means of assessment

Evaluation wil be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on some of the following criteria

  1. Assignments/Group work some of which might be on-line        0-25%
  2. Tests  (maximum of 40% for each test as per college policy)   35-70%
  3. Attendance                                                                          0-5%
  4. Final exam                                                                          30-40%
Textbook materials

Please consult the Douglas College Bookstore for current required text.  The exact textbook and materials will be chosen by the instructor when the course is offered, but will be similar to

Classical Mechanics by John R. Taylor (current edition) published by University Science Books, USA. ISBN 1-891-389-22-X 

Prerequisites

PHYS 1210 and 

MATH 1220 (Calculus II) and

MATH 2232 (Linear Algebra) and 

MATH 2421 (Differential Equations)

Corequisites

MATH 2321 (Calculus III)

Equivalencies

None. 

Which prerequisite

None.