The American University in Cairo

Department of Physics
Fall 2015
Physics 3013
Theoretical Mechanics

Class Information
Physics 3013, Section 01, Theoretical Mechanics.
Credit hours: 3.
Time and Place: WU 2:00-3:20 pm, JAMEEL CP10.
Instructor
Abdelhamid Galal
Office 1104 SSE, Phone 2615-3217, email aagalal@aucegypt.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 pm, SSE 1104.
Course Description
Vector and tensor analysis, statics, kinematics, and dynamics of a particle and system of particles, rigid
and deformable bodies; rotating coordinate systems, Lagranges and Hamiltons equations with
applications.

Prerequisites
PHYS 2041 and MACT 2141

Textbook
John R. Taylor, Classical Mechanics, University Science Book (2005).

Further Reading

Thornton and Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, 5th ed., Brooks Cole (2003).
This is one of the most widely used texts for teaching (advanced) undergraduate mechanics.
P. Hamill, Intermediate Dynamics, Jones & Bartlett Learning (2009).
Another undergraduate text.
D. Kleppner and R. Kolenkow, An Introduction to Mechanics, Cambridge University Press (2010).
Yet another undergraduate text.

R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, and M. Sands. The Feynman Lectures on Physics. Addison

Wesley, Reading (1963).
Feynman is a legendary figure among physics students. His perspective on any topic is always
refreshing and original. This three-volume set is freely available online at
http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu. Classical mechanics is covered in volume I.

R. Shankar, Basic Training in Mathematics: A Fitness Program for Science Students, Springer
(1995).
Use this text to brush up on your math tools or learn math topics that physics undergraduates
should know.

Additional Resources
This is the information age and a huge number of resources are available online to help you with the
material in this class. You are encouraged to explore on your own. Here are a few of my personal
favorites to get you started:

A very valuable set of lectures on classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special and general
relativity, and more by Professor L. Susskind can be found at
http://newpackettech.com/Resources/Susskind/Susskind.htm .
A search on the universitys library website http://library.aucegypt.edu/ using the words
classical mechanics in the title field will return a large number of resources, including many
books. Many of these resources are available online using your AUC credentials!
The University of Colorado maintains a very useful site that includes many pedagogical physics
simulations at
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics
Many of these simulations illustrate concepts that are important in this class.

Course Objectives
This course aims at giving students a solid first introduction to the mechanics of single and many-particle
system, conservation laws, and oscillations. In addition, it aims at introducing the student to the more
general formulations of mechanics (the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian formulations).
Upon the completion of this class, the student should be able to,

Integrate the differential equations expressing Newtons laws in various simple settings in order
to calculate trajectories, orbits and oscillatory solutions to the motion of particles.
Understand the origin and the central importance of conserved quantities.
Understand the Euler-Lagrange equation, its origin and derivation.
Solve simple problems involving constrained variations and apply this knowledge to practical
problems.
Write the Lagrangian of simple mechanical systems, the action integral, and the associated
equations of motion.
Understand Hamiltons equations and the central role of the Hamiltonian function in mechanics.
Use the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approaches to solve simple mechanical problems.
Understand the central role of the problem of small oscillations in mechanics.
Understand how normal modes solve the fundamental problem of coupled oscillations.

Grading
Midterm 1: 20%
Midterm 2: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Homework: 25
Class work: 15% (Quizzes, in-class exercises, participation,..etc.)
-The times and places of your midterms will be announced during the semester.
Homework Policy
Homework should be submitted by the indicated due date. Your score for homework will be based on
the average points you obtain in all your submissions, after dropping your single lowest performance.

Course Content
The text we will use consists of two parts: I (the fundamentals) and II (more advanced topics). My initial
plan is to cover part one (chapters 1-11), in addition to a single chapter from part II (chapter 13). Since
this is too much material for a one semester class like ours, I will have to pick and choose from each
chapter those parts which I feel will be most useful for you. I will do that as we go along as only then
will I be able to judge how well you are responding to the material and how best to use the remaining
time. The level of coverage will be uneven. The table below gives you an idea of the general plan.
Modifications, omissions, additions, and other content modifications are always a possibility and I will
let you know about them in due time.
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
13

Topic
Newtons Laws of Motion
Projectiles and Charged Particles
Momentum and Angular Momentum
Energy
Oscillations
Calculus of Variations
Lagranges Equations
Two-Body Central-Force Problems
Mechanics in Noninertial Frames
Rotational Motion of Rigid Bodies
Coupled Oscillators and Normal Modes
Hamiltonian Mechanics

Level of Coverage
Quick Survey
Limited Coverage
Quick Survey
Quick Survey
In-Depth
In-Depth
In-Depth
In-Depth
Very Limited Coverage
Very Limited Coverage
In-Depth
In-Depth

Course Policy
-

Your instructor is a valuable resources that you should make use of to help you understand the
challenging concepts you will be learning in this class. In addition to office hours, you can also
stop by my office or email me to set up an appointment to discuss class material or any other
issues.
Attendance is very important for success in this class. Bear in mind that, according to university
policy on attendance, an absence of more than the equivalent of three weeks of instruction can
result in a lowered grade, including a failing grade, regardless of excuse. In addition, classes will
typically include more material than is found in your text and you are responsible for this
material. Furthermore, if you are not attending, you are not participating in class and this will
hurt your class work score.
In general, I expect you to:
Attend all classes and be punctual.
Participate in and be actively engaged in the learning process during classes.
Treat everyone with respect .

Be attentive in class and refrain from disruptive behaviors: No emailing, texting, chatting,
working on homework, or reading while in class.
Avoid unnecessary disruptions: Put your phone on silent, leave the room only when necessary.
University policy on academic integrity will be enforced. For details see
http://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/integrity/Pages/default.aspx