Physics 501
Classical Mechanics
Fall 2005
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:35am-10:30am.
Physics P-112
News: Problem solving session is on Monday, December 19, 9:35-10:30am, room P-112.
Final is on Wednesday, December 21, 8:00-10:30am, in P-112. It will be an open book exam. There will be 4 problems, 25 points each on (tentatively) the following topics
1. Setting mechanical problem. Generalized coordinates and momenta, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, equations of motion, conservation laws etc.
2. Small oscillations, rigid bodies, or central field problems.
3. Hamilton-Jacobi formalism, chaos.
4. Elasticity theory (up to and not including dynamics).
Instructor: Sasha Abanov,
Assistant Professor
Office: Physics B102
Phone: (631)632-8174
E-mail: alexandre.abanovatsunysb.edu
Web page:
http://felix.physics.sunysb.edu/~abanov/
Office Hours:
Mon 4:00-5:00pm
Teaching Assistant: Saul Lapidus
Office: Physics C-123
Phone: (631)632-4079
E-mail: slapidusatgmail.com
Office Hours:
Wed 5:00-6:00pm
Course description
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations with applications to various dynamical systems. Variational principles, symmetries and conservation laws. Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Introduction to selected advanced subjects such as nonlinear oscillations, parametric oscillations, classical perturbation theory, integrable and chaotic systems, theory of elastic field.
Course requirements
Attendance to lectures is expected. Homework assignments should be turned in on time. Late homeworks will not be accepted. There will be two midterms and a final exam.
Grading and exams
Two midterms (September 28 and November 18) and a final exam (Demcember ?) All exams: book open.
The final grade is calculated from
| Homeworks |
--- |
20% |
| Midterms |
--- |
20+20% |
| Final exam |
--- |
40% |
Tentative Syllabus of the Course (Schedule)
- Introduction.
- Lagrangian formalism.
- Conservation laws.
- 1D motion.
- 2D motion. Central force motion.
- Small oscillations.
- Rigid body motion.
- Hamiltonian and Hamilton-Jacobi formalism.
- Nonlinear dynamics and chaos.
- Elasticity theory.
- Dynamics of continuous systems.
- Final remarks: towards field theory and quantum mechanics.
Textbooks
Main textbook
-
L. Landau and E. Lifshitz, v. 1: Mechanics,
Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, Third edition, 1976.
For additional reading I also recommend
-
A. L. Fetter and J. D. Walecka,
Theoretical Mechanics of Particles and Continua,
Dover Publications, 2003.
-
H. Goldstein, Classical Mechanics,
Addison-Wesley, Oxford, Third edition, 2002.
-
L. Landau and E. Lifshitz, v. 6: Fluid Mechanics,
Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, Second edition, 1987.
-
L. Landau and E. Lifshitz, v. 7: Theory of Elasticity,
Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, Third edition, 1986.
-
J. Jose and E. Saletan, Classical Dynamics: A Contemporary Approach,
Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Homeworks
-
Homework #1, due Monday, September 12
(PDF )
-
Homework #2, due Wednesday, September 21
(PDF )
-
Homework #3, due Wednesday, September 28
(PDF )
-
Homework #4, due Wednesday, Octover 12
(PDF )
-
Homework #5, due Wednesday, Octover 19
(PDF )
-
Homework #6, due Wednesday, Octover 26
(PDF )
-
Homework #7, due Friday, November 4
(PDF )
-
Homework #8, due Friday, November 11
(PDF )
-
Homework #9, due Wednesday, November 30
(PDF )
-
Homework #10, due Monday, December 12
(PDF )
For your information.
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that
may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services
(631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are
necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is
confidential.
Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their
needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For
procedures and information, go to the following web site
http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/dss/
Last updated December 13, 2005