Physics 410 - Spring 2008

Department of Physics

University of Maryland

 

Instructor:  Dr. Alessandra Buonanno
                  Room 4212 Physics Building, Phone: (301) 405-1440
                  E-mail:  buonanno@umd.edu
                  Office Hours:  W 12:00 noon -1:00 p.m. or by appointment.

Course Title: Classical Mechanics (4 credits)

Grader:  Paratma Sri Bhupal Dev
              Room 4219 Physics Building, Phone: (301) 405-6073
              E-mail:  bhupal@physics.umd.edu
              Office Hours:  F 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. or by appointment.


Textbooks:  The required textbook is Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems byThornton
                    and Marion (Thomson), 5th Edition
                    Recommended textbooks are Classical Mechanics by H. Goldstein, 3th Edition;
                    The Lectures on Physics by R. Feynman (vol 1).
                   
Prerequisite:  The course assumes prior exposure to Fourier analysis, linear differential
                      equations, linear algebra and vector analysis. Physics 374 (or equivalent) 
                      is required.

Lectures:    MW: 11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m., Phys. 0405
                   F: 10:00 a.m. -11:50 a.m., Phys. 4220

Homeworks:  Homework will be assigned at the beginning of each new topic and they are due
                      in one week. Solutions will be either posted on the course webpage or will be given
                      in class.

Exams: There will be two midterms and a final.  The midterms will be given during lecture periods

Grading:   Your grade for the course will be based on the following percentages:
                 Homework:          40%
                 Midterm exams:    30%
                 Final exam:           30%

Academic Integrity: 
   The University has approved a Code of Academic Integrity available on the web. 
                                   The Code prohibits students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting
                                   the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting
                                   fraudulent documents, and forging signatures.  The University Senate requires that students
                                   include the following signed statement on each examination or assignment: “I pledge on my
                                   honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination
                                   (or assignment).”  Compliance with the code is administered by a Student Honor Council,
                                   which strives to promote a “community of trust” on the College park Campus.  Allegations
                                   of academic dishonesty can be reported directly to the Honor Council (314-9154) by any member
                                   of the campus community.

Course Description:    The following topics will be covered during the course (tentative)
                          
                                    1.    Review of Newton mechanics
                                    2.    Small oscillations
                                    3.    Non-linear dynamics
                                    4.    Gravitation
                                    5.    Lagrangian formulation of mechanics
                                    6.    Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics
                                    7.    Central force motion
                                    8.    Rigid bodies
                                    9 .   Relativistic mechanics