Mechanics I

PHYS 311

Course Description

Statics of particles and rigid bodies, kinematics and dynamics of particles (including damped and forced harmonic oscillators), work and energy, linear and angular momentum, conservation laws, dynamics of rigid bodies, Prereq PHYS-308. 3.0 Credits

Required Textbook

Fowles & Cassiday, Analytical Mechanics, Brooks/Cole (Thompson).

Other Mechanics Texts:

• Thornton & Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Brooks/Cole (Thompson).
• Keith R. Symon, Mechanics, (Addison-Wesley, Pearson, 1971).
• Feynman, Lectures on Physics - vol I, (Perseus Books Group).
• R. Baierlein, Newtonian Dynamics, (McGraw-Hill).
• H. Goldstein, Classical Mechanics, (Addision-Wesley). (graduate level)

Other Useful References:

• Daniel Zwillinger, CRC Standard Mathematical Tables and Formulae, (CRS Press).
• I.S. Gradshteyn & I.M. Ryzhik, Tables of Integrals, Series and Products, (Academic Press).
• M.R. Speigel & J. Liu Shaum's Easy Outline: Mathematical Handbook, (McGraw Hill).

Lectures

SEC 31, TR at 5:40 PM - 6:55 PM, in SCI-112

Problem Sets

Weekly problem sets are assigned here. Problem sets should be completed by Tuesday of the following week. You are required to bring the previous weeks problem set to class every Tuesday (unless there is a midterm exam). These problem sets will be collected in weeks were a quiz is not given. When problem sets are collected, a random problem will selected to take the place of a quiz. You are strongly encouraged to work with your classmates on problem sets, however the work on your individual problem set should be your own. You are expected to be able to work the problems without the aid of the solutions. At times, solutions may be provided so that you can check your work after you have completed the problem sets. Problem set assignments and solutions (if available) can be found here.

Quizzes

Short quizzes are administered during class on Tuesday. Every Tuesday, either a quiz will be given or problem sets will be collected (with the exception of the first week of class and weeks where there is a midterm). Quizzes are based on the previous week's problem set and material from the previous weeks lecture. The two lowest quiz (or problem set) grades will be dropped. Missed quizzes and absent problem sets are counted as zero. There will be no quiz make-ups.

Exams

This course has two in class midterm exams and a two-hour final. The exams are largely based on material from lectures and problems similar to those found in the weekly assignments. Exam policies can be found here.

Grading

The final grade will be based on:
Two midterms (1/5) + (1/5) + [Quizzes,problem sets] (1/5) + Final (2/5)

Any student who achieves a percentile score of above 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% is guaranteed to receive an A, B, C, or D respectively. These percentile scores may be adjusted downwards based on a class curve and other considerations.

Office Hours

Posted here and by appointment, S-217D SCI.

Academic Integrity

The NEIU policy on academic integrity can be found here.