Classical Mechanics II PHYS 4222 and 5222

Spring 2010 Instructor: Dr. Donald Jacobs Office: Grigg 343, Phone 704-687-8143 Email: djacobs1@uncc.edu

Office Hours: T,R (1:45pm to 3:00pm), and by appointment.

Preparation: Prerequisites: PHYS 3121 and MATH 2241 with a grade of C or better.

Required Text: Classical Mechanics, by John R. Taylor (University Science Books)

Supplementary materials: Microsoft Excel or other graphics software and scientific calculator.

Supplementary Textbooks: Analytical Mechanics, by Fowles and Cassiday, 7th edition (Thomson, Books, Cole); Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, by Marion 2nd Edition (Academic Press)

Topics to be covered: Lagrangian mechanics, two-body central force problems, coupled oscillators and normal modes, Hamiltonian mechanics, non-inertial frames, rigid body motion.

Pace of course: Seven chapters will be covered in this order: Start of 7, 6, finish of 7, 8, 11, 13, 9, 10

Examination and Grading Procedures: Your total grade will be made up from: 40% homework assignments 60% tests (two midterms and a comprehensive final each worth 20%) Bonus points: (Your hard work in this class will be rewarded many times over.)

1. Class participation can boost your grade by a maximum of 3% (but do not count on any boost). 2. It is possible to increase your total grade point average by up to 15% based on extra credit from

assigned homework problems coupled with good test scores. 3. If your final exam score is greater than the average of your two midterm exams, then the difference

between your final and average midterm score will be given as bonus points to your lowest midterm exam score. CAUTION: Beware that almost always this has no affect on increasing your letter grade.

Undergraduate versus Graduate content/grading: Graduate level students (taking 5222) will occasionally be assigned additional homework problems, and the tests will be more challenging. In particular, the test for the undergraduate level students (those taken 4222) will be based on more points than 100 (i.e. there will be bonus questions), whereas the test for the graduate students will be based on a straight scale. As such, the graduate level will be more challenging.

Homework: The problems you will encounter in this course will generally be difficult, requiring careful thinking and concentrated time to work out. Each problem is assigned 1, 2 or 3 stars. The more stars, the more difficult the problem tends to be. Typically, each week you will be assigned between 4 to 7 problems, totaling typically between 7 to 12 stars. Each assigned problem will be worth (10 points) × (number of stars listed for it). A new homework assignment will be given during each class, and there will be about 24 assignments over the semester (perhaps more).

Homework bonus point calculation: Bonus points can be obtained from homework, but these bonus points are dependent on test performance. The final homework score will be calculated as follows: Let X = (Total number of points you get correct on assigned homework problems) ÷ (Total number of points assigned as homework problems over the semester). Let Y = The lesser of 1 or (Total number of points you get correct on tests) ÷ (Total number of points assigned as exam problems over the semester). Total homework score = X × 40% + Y × 15% Late homework is not accepted without a medical or some other official University excuse. No homework scores will be dropped. The bonus mechanism gives you some flexibility on time management.

Test bonus point calculation: Students taking 4222 are able to apply their extra bonus points from one exam to another exam.

Grade Scale: There is no curve. The median or average grade for the class is not predetermined. A (100% to 90%), B (89% to 80%), C (79% to 70%), D (69% to 60%), F (below 60%)

Midterm and Final Exams: All exams will be given in class. Dates for the midterms will be determined during the semester. The final exam time and place will be announced at a later date.

Midterm I: Covers chapter 7. Midterm 2: Covers chapters 8 and 11. Final exam: Covers chapters 9, 10 and 13.

Study Groups: You are encouraged to work together in study groups. However, you cannot copy from one another (see Integrity). I recommend you do the work on your own in advance of any planned meeting with classmates, friends, tutors or mentors. When you are together, discuss and critically assess your solution compared to other’s solutions. In cases that everyone is stumped on a problem, then a discussion of how to start the problem should be done, and everyone works on their own. If someone has a solution, but you do not have it, then you may fish for a hint, but do not look at the solution. Comparing solutions should only be done after you have a solution. You may trash your solution in favor of another approach. However, you should rework the solution on your own … without looking at anything.

Data Mining for solutions: I cannot prevent you from looking at Web resources to get solutions. This practice could hurt you in the long run if you develop a habit of looking up solutions to problems before you develop your own. But when you do this, you must not copy them (see Integrity). Instead, read the solution, try to understand the approach, and then walk away from it. In a day or so, try to work the solution on your own. If you use solutions like this to help guide you, you are obligated to reference the source. Most of the time, you only need a hint to get you started, or you want to see if your answer is correct. This is fine, as long as you are careful not to deceive yourself.

Integrity: Students are required to read and abide by the Code of Student Academic Integrity. Violations of the Code of Student Academic Integrity, including plagiarism, will result in disciplinary action as provided in the Code. Definitions and examples of plagiarism are set forth in the Code. The Code is available from the Dean of Students Office or online at: http://www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-105.html

* Note: I reserve the right to change class policy to serve the best interest of the class.