Physics 382 Spring 2008


Classical Mechanics 2


Welcome to Classical Mechanics. We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays during 4th period (1:40 to 3:00 pm) in ARC 105 on Busch.
NOTE: The room is in a different building than 381 last semester
There is an assigned text for the class Classical Mechanics by Taylor . It is really a very good text. I found it much more readable than the average 300-level textbook.

Instructors

Amitabh Lath, Serin 324
136 Frelinghuysen Rd, Piscataway NJ 08854
(732)445-5853.
lath -at- physics.rutgers.edu
Office Hours: By appointment (send me email).

Grader: Mr. Yue Zhao

Syllabus

We will cover six basic topics.
  • Non-Intertial Frames (including coriolis force) Ch9
  • Ridgid Body rotation Ch 10
  • Hamiltonian Mechanics Ch 13
  • Scattering and Collitions Ch 14
  • Oscillations and Normal Modes Ch 11
  • The Wave Equation (first 2 sections of Ch 16)
    These topics have been chosen because they are the building blocks of further study in physics and engineering. If you intend to take the physics GRE they will be required knowledge.
    Note that I've put Ch 11, Oscilations and Normal Modes out of sequence right before study of general waves. If time remains at the end of the semester we may tackle special topics such as the Statistical Mechanics or Special Relativity.

    Homework

    Homeworks will be assigned every Tuesday, and will be due in one week (exceptions as noted). Here is the homework list . Here is a directory with homework solutions .

    Homework help

    Please do the homework by yourself. I encourage you to work in "study groups" and discuss problems with your friends, but do try the problem yourself FIRST. If you get stuck, send email (to me, your friends, etc.). I will respond as soon as I can (usually within 24 hours). Remember, doing the problems is the only way to learn the material.

    Exams

    We will cover six basic topics, and after each I will give out a take-home exam with a few (2 or 3) problems. They will be due the next lecture, and you will absolutely not discuss them with anyone else. We will have a final exam with six problems, one on each basic topic.

    Grading

    The grades will be assigned as follows
  • Homeworks: 18%
  • 6 take home exams: 42 % (each is 7% of your grade)
  • Final Exam: 40%

    Extras

    Hints for homeworks, exam prep stuff, computer programs, and other miscellaneous items will appear here.

    Grade Book

    There is a gradebook set up on the web for this course. here

    Students with Disabilities

    Please consult me as early as possible if you have a disability that might interfere with an optimal learning experience.
    Also, please consult the website on disabilities . The University has coordinators for students with disabilities.
    Amit &
    Last modified: Tue Apr 29 10:27:22 EDT 2008