Physics 503 - Fall 2016
Classical Mechanics
Contact Information
Learning Outcomes (includes Syllabus)
Course Policies and Classwork
Methods of Evaluation
Course Content
Course Schedule
Lecture Times: MWF 10:50 AM - 11:40 AM
Lecture Room: PSC 205
Professor: Prof. Milind V. Purohit
Office: PSC 404
Office Hour: Tue 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Home Page: "Milind V. Purohit's Home Page"
By the end of the term, successful students should be able to do the
following:
- Be able to solve simple problems in Newtonian Mechanics of single
particles using forces, torques, and free body diagrams.
- Know how to solve standard problems involving oscillations, such as
simple harmonic motion including damped and forced cases.
- Understand Newtonian Gravitation, including the gravitational potential
and work and energy related concepts.
- Be able to apply the calculus of variations and see the connection
between integral and differential forms of physical laws.
- Understand Hamilton's Principle and Lagrangians; be able to solve
mechanics problems using Lagrangians; and have at least an introductory
understanding of Hamiltonian Dynamics.
- Be able to reduce most two-body problems to Central-Force Motion and to
solve for the motion.
- Understand the dynamics of a System of Particles, as well as motion in a
non-inertial Reference Frame.
- Use the preceding knowledge to study the dynamics of Rigid Bodies.
- Understand the basic principles of coupled oscillations and be able to
solve for the small oscillations of such systems.
- As time permits, study continuous systems, waves, and the Special Theory of Relativity.
Students are expected to know vector calculus and calculus-based
introductory physics.
Course Policies (from CTE website):
The University of South Carolina has clearly articulated its policies
governing academic integrity and students are encouraged to carefully
review the policy on the Honor Code in the Carolina Community. Any
deviation from these expectations will result in academic penalties as
well as disciplinary action.
Classwork:
Classwork will consist of quizzes, on-board solutions of problems by
students and / or presentations. Students will be encouraged to
participate in discussions and demonstrate understanding in one or more
of these ways.
Students are evaluated through the semester using classwork, homework,
in-class tests as well as a final exam.
Grading:
Students turning in less than 70% of homeworks will automatically earn
an F grade.
For other students, the course score will be calculated as follows:
- 10% of the score is for classwork and in-class tests and quizzes.
- 30% for Homework.
- 30% for three in-class Tests. There will be no makeup tests.
- 30% for the Final Exam.
Typical minimum scores for grades are as follows.
- A: 90%. B+: 85%. B: 75%. C+: 70%. C: 60%. D: 50%.
Graduate students will be assigned additional asterisked problems, and
tests as well as the final exam will include one or more such problems
to be solved by graduate students in lieu of certain non-asterisked
problems.
Homework:
Homework problems will be assigned every week and will
be due at the Wednesday lecture of the next week.
Homework that is up to one week late earns 50% points; after that no
credit will be given.
Attendance: Please note that official USC policy states that
"Absence from more than 10 percent of the scheduled class sessions,
whether excused or unexcused, is excessive and the instructor may choose
to exact a grade penalty for such absences." [Memo from the Provost,
Aug. 25, 2014.]
Expectations for Classroom Behavior
All cell phones and pagers are to be turned off or silenced during
class. All cell phones are to be put away out of view during class;
there is no text messaging, web browsing, etc, during class. There will
be no eating during class time. Failure to adhere to these classroom
rules may result in your being dismissed from class and/or an academic
penalty.
Please be respectful of each other, the instructor, and any guest
presenters while in class. We are all here to learn! Any disrespectful
or disruptive behavior may result in your referral to the Office of
Student Judicial Programs.
The course content is derived from a variety of sources, including the
texts below.
Texts:
- Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, by S. T. Thornton and
J. B. Marion, 5th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0534408961. ISBN-10: 0534408966
- Newtonian Dynamics, by Ralph Baierlein, 1st Edition.
ISBN-13: 978-0070030169. ISBN-10: 0070030162
[This is a recommended accompanying text.]
In this course we focus on the basic concepts of classical mechanics:
Newtonian motion of single particles, oscillations, Newtonian
Gravitation, the calculus of variations, Hamilton's Principle,
Lagrangians, and most importantly problems using Lagrangians,
Central-Force Motion, the dynamics of a System of Particles, motion in a
non-inertial Reference Frame, the dynamics of Rigid Bodies, and the
basic principles of coupled oscillations. Waves and special relativity
will be covered as well, as time permits.
Office of Student Disability Services policy statement
"Any student with a documented disability should contact the Office of
Student Disability Services at 803-777-6142 to make arrangements for
appropriate accommodations."
This page is maintained by
"Milind V. Purohit"