PHY3221 (Mechanics I), fall term 2013

 

 

Instructor:  Arthur Hebard

Office: 2257 NPB	Phone:  392-8442
Lab: B38/39 NPB	Phone:  392-9228
Email: afh@phys.ufl.edu	Fax: 392-3591

Meeting time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 6, 12:50 -1:40 pm in NPB 1101.

 

Office hours: Monday and Tuesday, 2:15 pm-3:15 pm. At other times, please email and confirm.

Textbook: The required text is Classical Mechanics by J.R. Taylor

 

 

 

References: Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems by S. T. Thornton and J. B. Marion  An Introduction to Mechanics by D. Kleppner and R.J. Kolenkow (These books are on course reserve at the Smathers Library)

 

 

 

Corequisites: PHY 2048 or the equivalent. Fluency in algebra, trigonometry and calculus is necessary for your success in Mechanics I. A course in differential equations is highly recommended. Calculus III will be used extensively throughout the course.

Synopsis: This course is the first part of two-semester sequence (PHY 3221-4222) in undergraduate level classical mechanics. The goal of the first semester is to develop a bridge from the elementary course (PHY2048) to the Lagrange and Hamilton formulation of mechanics to be studied in depth in the second semester (PHY4222) of the course. Topics include matrices, vector calculus, Newtonian mechanics, frames of reference, conservation laws, harmonic oscillator, and calculus of variations. Physics 3221 will cover selected chapters of the textbook. See Calendar for details. Lecture slides will be posted.

Words of Advice for success in this course

Grading policy:

Homework: There will be ten GRADED homework assignments during the semester, due on the dates indicated on the schedule.Homework assignments, subject to change are posted on the Homework link of this website. Make your solutions neat, concise, and intelligible. Points may be deducted if it is difficult to find and/or understand the solutions. Overdue homework will not be graded. The graded homeworks will be worth 13% of the total grade.

In-class exams : In addition to the homework assignments, there will be FOUR IN-CLASS Exams of 50 minutes duration, tentatively scheduled for September 13, October 4, October 25, and November 22. Each of these exams will be worth 19% of the total grade. The lowest score of the four in-class exams will be dropped. Hence the in-class exams will constitute 57% of the total grade.

In-class quizzes: One quiz near the end of the semester will be used the fulfil the academic learning compact (ALC) requirement. The ALC quiz is compulsory and constitutes 3% of your total grade.

Final exam: There will be a two hour, cumulative final exam. Details about the exam format will be posted here. Formula sheets for the final exam will be allowed. The final exam will be worth 27% of the total grade. The final is scheduled for Friday, December 13, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM in NPB 1101.

Grade calculation:

Homework	13%
Best 3 out of 4 in-class tests	19% each for a total of 57%
ALC quiz	3%
Final exam	27%

Your grade will be posted on SAKAI. If you have not used Sakai, please visit Sakai Help and learn how to use it. Here is a guideline for your final letter grade: 85%-100%, some type of A; 65%-84%, some type of B; 50%-64%, some type of C; below 50, will be decided by the instructor. These thresholds may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors, but will not be raised. The course grades are not curved.

The grader for the course is Xiao Chen, xchen137.phy@ufl.edu

C is the lowest passing grade for physics majors!

Holidays (no classes): Labor Day: Monday, September 2; Homecoming: Friday, November 8, Veteran's Day: Monday, November 11, Thanksgiving: Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students who require accommodation for disabilities must first contact the Dean of Students Office. That office will provide documentation, which the student must bring to his/her instructor during the first week of the semester.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Each student is expected to hold himself/herself to a high standard of academic honesty. Under the UF academic honesty policy, unauthorized assistance or the use of unauthorized resources is strictly forbidden on work-for-credit. Although discussions among the students are highly encouraged, you are to work alone on all homework assignments unless specified otherwise. Fabrication or falsification of excuses or related documentation is also a violation of the UF academic honesty policy. Violations of this policy will be dealt with severely. There will be no warnings or exceptions.