Instructor: Alexios Polychronakos, Room J312C, Marshak Science Building; (212)
6505536;
alexios@sci.ccny.cuny.edu
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:00-12:00. If it is not possible for you to
see me at these particular times, an appointment can be arranged on an
as-needed basis. There is no guarantee that I can meet with you outside of
my scheduled office hours. Call my office number or leave an email message.
Material to be covered: This course will provide an introduction to the
basic notions and mathematical tools of mechanics, with emphasis on physical
concepts and techniques that generalize beyond classical Newtonian
mechanics. Here is a tentative schedule.
Week of Topic
08/30 Mathematical
notions, Newton’s Law
09/08 Rectilinear
particle motion, kinetic and potential energy
09/13 Velocity-dependent
forces
09/20 Oscillations,
harmonic motion
09/27 Damped
oscillations, forced oscillations, nonlinear oscillations
10/04 Particle
motion in 3 dimensions, separable motions, harmonic oscillations
10/11 Particle
motion in electric and magnetic fields, constrained motion
10/18 Gravitational
forces, Kepler’s laws
10/25 Conservation
laws, central potentials
11/01 Stability,
effective potentials, repulsive potentials
11/08 Dynamics
of systems of particles, conservation laws
11/15 Two-body
problems, reduced mass, three-body problems
11/22 Three-body
problems
11/29 Collisions
12/06 Variable
mass problems, rocket dynamics
12/13 Review,
overview
The pace of the course will accelerate as we proceed; you are expected to develop your grasp of the concepts and math tools as we move, so that you be able to follow.
Textbook: Analytical Mechanics, G.R. Fowles and G.L. Cassiday, Thomson
Brooks/Cole, 7th Edition; ISBN 0-534-49492-7.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of basic algebra and elementary calculus. Physics 20800 and Math
39100 are required or co-required. Take
some time in the beginning of the course to review your math and study the
fundamental concepts on vectors in the book.
Study plan:
You should attend
lectures, solve problems as assigned or suggested in class and review the
necessary material from the book or your notes. Do not fall behind, as
this will compromise your understanding of material to come and may precipitate
serious difficulty with the course. Ask questions! Ask me during class
if anything is unclear, or whenever you have a puzzle or idea. If you have
serious problems arrange to see me.
Attendance, Quizzes, Homework: No roll call will take place. Short pre-announced
quizzes that will count towards your grade will sporadically be scheduled, to
gauge your understanding of the material. There will be no mandatory homework
for credit, but you are strongly advised to solve the assigned problems
and follow the study plan as outlined above.
Class Behavior and Cheating: You are expected to act responsibly and follow the
rules of the course as well as those of civility. This includes the courtesy of
not talking, acting disruptively or engaging in extracurricular activities
during lectures (reading newspapers, sleeping etc.) and of behaving to the
lecturer and your fellow students politely. No food can be taken in the
classroom, but I will allow drinking coffee or soft drinks (if not prohibited
by University rule). Cheating in exams, quizzes or any other circumstance is
grounds for failing the course and suffering severe academic consequences.
Exams: One Midterm exam and one comprehensive Final.
1.
Exam Structure: Exams are open book: you are permitted to bring with you your
books, notes, calculator, slide rule, abacus, ouija board or anything else you
wish. Communication during the exam is strictly forbidden: no talking,
exchanging material or calculators, wireless laptops, cell phones, sign
language, ESP etc.
2.
Questions During
Exams: If you do not understand
what is being asked, raise your hand. Only clarifications will be provided, not
hints on how to answer the question.
3.
Missing an Exam: If your absence is documented to be truly
unavoidable, a make-up exam could be given which will be no easier than
the regular exam. It therefore
behooves you to be there for the scheduled exams.
4.
Etiquette: Show up on time for the exam. Please take
care of your needs beforehand and avoid the embarrassment of asking to use the
bathroom during the exam.
Grades: Your
grade will be based on a numerical score to be computed as follows: Quizzes
15%, Midterm 35%, Final 50%. No single exam will guarantee your passing the
course, so you are strongly advised to participate in all of the above
evaluations.
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*NOTE: All of the above is tentative and subject to change. It is intended as a guide on how the course will be administered. The instructor reserves the right to make changes during the semester as he sees fit. Changes, if any, to the rules and to the schedule will be announced as they occur. It is the students’ responsibility to remain informed about the course and be alert of any changes or new information.