Classical Mechanics
PHY 540 (Section D), Fall Semester, August
23 - December 1, 2006
Dr. Thomas Curtright
In this class we will study classical
mechanics, including some novel methods which I have found to be
interesting and useful in
other areas of theoretical physics.
According to the course catalog, in PHY540 we
should cover: the
Lagrangian formulation, rigid body dynamics, and topics
selected from fluid dynamics, non-linear oscillations, normal
modes, and phase plane analysis. Well ... maybe ... but we will
certainly discuss Lagrangian and
Hamiltonian theory, as in Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 in the course text
(see below).
Lectures:
M W (F) 10:50-12:05, 203 Knight Physics Bldg.
Discussions or make-ups:
on Fridays, as
announced in class
Office and hours:
325 Knight Physics Bldg., by appointment
(phone: 284 - 2324 ext 4; email:
curtright@physics.miami.edu).
Homework
and graded problems:
These will be due as announced in
lecture,
about one week in advance.
Midterm
exam:
either on Wednesday, 18 October,
11:00 - 1:30 pm, in
the physics library, or else as a take-home (to be determined).
Final
exam: 
Final
is here! 
either on
Wednesday, 13 December, 11:00 -
1:30 pm,
in
the physics library, or else as a take-home (to be determined).
Grading policy:
Your grade will be based with equal
weight
on each of
- the complete set of graded
problems,
- the midterm exam,
- and the final exam.
Required textbook:
Classical
Dynamics: A Contemporary Approach
Jorge V. José and Eugene J. Saletan
Other recommended material:
My
notes, and the following supplemental textbooks.
Foundations of Mechanics,
R Abraham and J E Marsden
Newton's Principia for the Common Reader,
S. Chandrasekhar
Theoretical Mechanics of Particles and
Continua, A L Fetter and J D Walecka
Useful internet software sites:
(1) Maple
(2) Mathematica
(see especially the free information on the MathWorld
and Functions pages)
(3) Scientific WorkPlace
(free 30 day trial
version!)