Homework
Exams
Lecture notes
Calendar
Useful links
|
|
PHY 3221 - Mechanics I
Fall Term 2008
Time and Place: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Period 6
(12:50-1:40 pm), 1101 New Physics Building (NPB)..
Final Exam: Friday, December 19, 12:30 pm- 2:30 pm, NPB1101.
Instructor: Ho Bun Chan
Office: 2360 NPB |
Phone: 392-6691 |
Lab: B25 NPB |
Phone: 392-8522 |
Email: hochan@phys.ufl.edu
|
Fax: 392-7709
|
Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday 3 pm-4 pm. At other times, please email and confirm.
Textbook: The required text is S. T. Thornton and J. B. Marion,
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Fifth Edition. The
Student Solutions Manual, by S. T. Thornton, is optional.
Prerequisites: Introductory physics with calculus at the level
of Halliday and Resnick and multivariable calculus. A course in
differential equations is recommended but not required.
Synopsis: This is the first of a two semester sequence on
classical mechanics. We will cover Chapters 1-3 and 5 of Thornton and
Marion, with supplemental materials to be posted on this web site.
Topics to be covered include: dimensional analysis and units, kinematics
in one and two dimensions, Newtonian mechanics for a single particle,
conservation laws, oscillations (forced and damped, resonance, some simple
Fourier analysis), gravitation (conservative forces, gravitational
potential, tides).
Grading policy: There will be approximately one homework
assignment per week, due on Wednesdays and will be returned to the student
one week later. Make your solutions neat, concise, and intelligible.
Points may be deducted if it is difficult to find and/or understand the
solutions. Late homework: 75% credit for 1 day late, 50% credit for 2 days
late, 0% thereafter.
In addition to the homework assignments, there will be two exams in
class, tentatively scheduled for October 1 and November 7, and the
final
exam on December 19. Details about the exam formats will be posted here.
The homework is 30% of your grade, the exams 20% each, and the final
is 30%.
Here is a guideline for your final grade, as a percentage of the total
number of points (scaled as above): 85-100, A; 65-84, some
type of B; 50-64, some type of C; below 50, will be decided by the
instructor. These numbers may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors,
but will not be raised. The course grades are not
curved.
Students should try to solve the homework problems on their own before
seeking help from the instructor or other students. Copying of homework
is not allowed.
Holidays (no classes): Labor Day, September 1; Homecoming, October
24; day after Thanksgiving, November 28.
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 differently. 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. |