Mechanics Outline

Dr. Mary Lou West, 244 Richardson Hall, 973-655-7266
Office hours: T 4, W 3, R 4, 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): Fall 2009, 4 sh

M 5:30-8 PM, W 5:30-7:10 PM in RI-261 or in RI-225

With guest lecturer Ray Polomski, president of NJ-AAPT

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	Aug 31	Fundamental Concepts & Vectors, Ch.1	#1 Empirical Equations (Challenge)
2	Sep 7	Newtonian Mechanics, Ch.2	-- (Labor Day)
3	Sep 14	Velocity-dependent Forces, Ch. 2	#2 Euler's Method
4	Sep 21	Oscillations, Ch.3	#3 Vibrating Strips
5	Sep 28	Test 1 (Ch. 1-3), Wednesday, Sep 30	HW #1
Motions in 3 D
6	Oct 5	Motion in 3D, Ch.4	#4 Inertial Wheel
7	Oct 12	Noninertial Reference Systems, Ch.5	#5 Centripetal Force
8	Oct 19	Gravitation & Central Forces, Ch. 6	#6 Extrasolar Planets
9	Oct 26	Systems of Particles, Ch.7	#7 Moment of Inertia
10	Nov 2	Test 2 (Ch. 4-7), Nov 4	HW #2
Dynamics
11	Nov 9	Rigid Bodies, Planar Motion, Ch. 8	#8 Compound Pendulum
12	Nov 16	David Trubatch "Normal Modes" Nov 18, Rigid bodies in 3D, Ch. 9	#9 Resonance
13	Nov 23	Lagrangian Mechanics, Ch.10, Student written reports due Nov 23	#10 Challenge
14	Nov 30	Dynamics of Oscillating Systems, Ch.11	Student Oral Reports
15	Dec 7	Review	HW #3

Exam (Cumulative): Monday December 14, 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 (Sep 30, Nov 4), final exam (Dec 14), 9 lab reports (of 10), 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. You may bring one index card to each test.

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): Fall 2009, 4 sh

Newton

Motions in 3 D

Dynamics