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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.



Ho Bun Chan/ hochan@phys.ufl.edu
Last modified: 21 August 2008