General Information
This course offers an introduction to classical mechanics.
The course starts with a review of Newtonian mechanics, from a more advanced perspective than freshman physics. It continues with a study of linear and nonlinear oscillations, including the simple harmonic oscillator, on which much of physics is based. The course then introduces Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics. These are alternative approaches to Newtonian mechanics which are frequently more powerful and which smooth the transition to quantum mechanics. It applies these techniques to central force motion. The course concludes with discussions of coupled oscillations and rigid body dynamics.
The syllabus is available here.
The textbook for the course is
It is on sale at the bookstore.
The following books are also on reserve at the library:
There will be two midterms and one final exam. The final grade will be based 25% on the homework, 20% on each midterm, and 35% on the final exam.
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Instructor: |
Raman Sundrum |
TA: |
Tom Kramer |
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Email: |
Email: |
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Room: |
Bloomberg 457 |
Room: |
Bloomberg 467 |
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Phone: |
6-5464 |
Phone: |
6-7206 |
URL: http://www.pha.jhu.edu/~c171_204/