Physics 311
Classical Mechanics


311 Mechanics. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Origin and development of classical mechanics; mathematical techniques, especially vector analysis; conservation laws and their relation to symmetry principles; brief introduction to orbit theory and rigid-body dynamics; accelerated coordinate systems; introduction to the generalized-coordinate formalisms of Lagrange and Hamilton. P: Physics 202 or 208, & Math 320 or 319 or cons inst.

Chapter Topics

  • Newtonian Mechanics - Single Particle
  • Oscillations
  • Nonlinear Oscillations and Chaos
  • Gravitation
  • Methods in the Calculus of Variations
  • Hamilton's Principle - Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics
  • Central-Force Motion
  • Dynamics of a System of Particles
  • Motion in a Noninertial Reference Frame
  • Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
  • Coupled Oscillations
  • Continuous Systems: Waves
  • Special Theory of Relativity

Logistics

Instructor Duncan Carlsmith, duncan@hep.wisc.edu, 262-2485, 4284 Chamberlin
Department www.physics.wisc.edu Course  page: http://www.hep.wisc.edu/~duncan/phys311/ and materials at LEARN@UW (enrolled students only)
Lecture: MWF 11:00 - 11:45 114 Van Hise
Discussion: R 2:25 2104 Chamberlin Hall (required)
Office hours: By appointment. Don't hesitate.
Required Text: Thornton and Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, 5th edition, ISBN-10: 0-534-40896-6
Problem Sets: 4 problems per week assigned on syllabus, due and graded in discussion section
Exams: Three in class exams plus one similar (not cumulative) exam during finals week. Lowest exam score will be dropped. No makeups. No exceptions.
Grade: Problem sets 50%, exams 50%.
Important guidelines
Template problem solution
Syllabus