Mechanics Outline

Dr. Mary Lou West, 244 Richardson Hall, 973-655-7266
Office hours: M 4:30-5:30, W 1-2, R 11:15-noon, and by appointment
e-mail:westm@mail.montclair.edu http://www.csam.montclair.edu/~west
Department of Mathematical Sciences / Physics, Montclair State University, 973-655-5132

MECHANICS (PHYS-210-01): Spring 2008, 4 sh

M 5:30-8 PM, W 5:30-7:10 PM in RI-261
Textbook: "Analytical Mechanics" 7th Edition by G.R. Fowles and G.L.Cassiday, 2005

Week	Monday	Topic and Reading	lab (usually Monday)Excel Tips
Newton
1	(W, Jan 23)	Fundamental Concepts & Vectors, Ch.1	--
2	Jan 28	Newtonian Mechanics, Ch.2	#1 Empirical Equations
3	Feb 4	Velocity-dependent Forces, Ch. 2	#2 Euler's Method
4	Feb 11	Oscillations, Ch.3	#3 Vibrating Strips
5	Feb 18	Test 1 (Ch. 1-3), Wednesday, Feb 20	HW #1
Motions in 3 D
6	Feb 25	Motion in 3D, Ch.4	#4 Inertial Wheel
7	Mar 3	Noninertial Reference Systems, Ch.5	#5 Centripetal Force
8	Mar 10	Gravitation & Central Forces, Ch. 6	#6 Extrasolar Planets
9	Mar 24	Systems of Particles, Ch.7	#7 Moment of Inertia
10	Mar 31	Continue homework discussion	HW #2
Dynamics
11	Apr 7	#8 Compound Pendulum (W), Rigid Bodies, Planar Motion, Ch. 8	Test 2 (Ch. 4-7), April 7
12	Apr 14	Rigid bodies in 3D	#9 Resonance
13	Apr 21	Lagrangian Mechanics, Ch.10, Student written reports due April 21	#10 Challenge
14	Apr 28	Dynamics of Oscillating Systems, Ch.11	Student Oral Reports
15	May 5	Review	HW #3

Exam (Cumulative): Monday May 12, 5:30-7:30 PM

Dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Changes will be announced, and it is the responsibility of the student to keep informed.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 2 tests (Feb. 20, Apr 2), final exam (May 12), 9 lab reports, a demonstration presented to the whole class, and an individual project. There is a discussion board for homework on montclair.blackboard.com . Login with your MSU net ID and password the same as for your campus email.

Your course grade is composed of 15% each test and final, 20% project (written and oral report), 18% lab exercises, 3% demo, and 14% homework and class participation. Makeup tests are given only in case of emergency. (Call me within 24 hours to explain, please.)

Goals for this course:

1. Students should understand the scientific process. How do we know what we think we know?
2. Students should understand some of the laws of nature and be able to see them in their everyday life, and be able to predict their outcomes.
3. Students should understand and be able to evaluate discussions of physics in popular literature such as newspapers, magazines, and television. You should develop your critical thinking skills.
4. Students should be able to analyze a physical event in terms of forces and energies, and write its description mathematically.

This page is www.csam.montclair.edu/~west/phys210/phys210outline.html

MECHANICS (PHYS-210-01): Spring 2008, 4 sh

Newton

Motions in 3 D

Dynamics