Subject
Matter and Course Texts
Classical Mechanics is a mature subject which lies at the core of Physics. Your
familiarity with mathematical techniques such as vector calculus, differential
equations, and linear algebra will allow us to pursue a rather sophisticated
study of Mechanics, and by applying these powerful tools to physical problems,
you will sharpen both your physical intuition as well as your mathematical skills.
The course text is Marion and Thornton's Classical Dynamics. This book is rather
complete in its treatment, fairly well-written, and provides detailed derivations
of mathematical results. It is therefore an excellent reference book. I will
mostly be following my course notes, which are available on the course web site.
I have also
placed a few texts on reserve for Physics 110A at the UCSD Science and Engineering
Library. Barger and Olsson is a very fine text which is not as comprehensive
nor as technical as MT, but which generally provides more physical insight and
which analyzes several interesting examples. Fetter and Walecka's book is a
graduate level text. Clearly written, it also contains many excellent problems.
Strogatz's book on Nonlinear Dynamics is an excellent introduction to the subject.
Problem Sets
I will try to assign one problem set per week, due at the beginning of Tuesday's
class. You are encouraged to discuss the problem sets with your fellow students.
I suggest that you initially try to do the problems by yourselves, so that you
can more accurately identify your confusions and honestly assess your weaknesses.
Then, before you write up your assignment, get together with some of your fellow
students to talk over the problems and hammer out the details. Solutions to
problem sets will be prepared by the TA.
Discussion Sessions and Office Hours
The TA (Alex Schafgans) and I will hold weekly office hours. Please come and
see us! We will also conduct weekly problem session during which the class will
break up into small groups which will solve example problems. The problem session
is scheduled for Thursday evenings, from 8:00 pm until 9:50 pm, in Pepper
Cyn Hall 122.
Grading
The magic formula: 35% problem sets, 10% midterm #1, 15%
midterm #2, 40% comprehensive final. Midterm #1 will take place toward
the beginning fourth week, while midterm #2 will take place toward the beginning
of the seventh week. To submit an exam or problem set for re-grading, you must
resubmit your original work together with a detailed description of your grievance.
Discussion Board
The course home page contains a link to the Physics
Department discussion boards. You must register in order to be able to post.
This is a place where you can publicly discuss the course, ask questions of
the professor and TA, tell jokes, post links to interesting web sites, etc.
Just keep it clean, folks. Alex and I will be checking in regularly. My nom
de plume is Dear_Leader.