PHYS 304 - Mechanics

Fall 2016
Course Information
Gerd Bergmann
Office: SSC 215D
Phone: (213) 740-1116
E-mail: bergmann@usc.edu
Lecture hours:
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 -11:50
Office hours:
Thursday 1:00 - 2:00, 2:00-3:00 (second hour with appointment)
In special cases: Monday 5:30
.
Lecture location:
LVL 13
TA:
not yet appointed

Textbook:

Classical Mechanics
J.R. Taylor
University Science Books (2005)

Homework: Approximately four problems per week from the textbook, old
examinations, or other textbooks.
Exams: Two midterm exams and a final exam will be given. The exams are
closed book, but formulas will be provided.
Midterm Examination I:
Midterm Examination II:
Final Examination:

Tuesday, 09/27
Tuesday, 11/01
Tuesday, 12/13, 8:00 10:00

Grading:
Homework + Participation: 10%,
Midterm Exams +Quiz: 50%,
Final Exam: 40%
Attendance of the class is expected
Course Description
Classical Mechanics is the first course in theoretical physics. It develops a
conceptual framework that is used in all modern physical theories such as
electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics or quantum field theory.
The main topics covered in the course will include: Newton laws and dynamics of

particle(s), oscillations, gravitation, Lagrange and Hamilton equations, central force

motion, kinematics of rotations, rigid body motion and theory of small vibrations.
The course will follow roughly the above textbook. The difference between the two
editions seems negligible
There are many other excellent textbooks in classical mechanics, which you can
look at for an additional or different discussion of the material. Two other undergraduate
level texts are
J. Marion and S. Thornton, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Fifth
Edition
(Brooks/Cole 2004).
V. Barger and M. Olsson, Classical Mechanics, McGraw Hill (1995).
Texts which fall somewhere in between the undergraduate and graduate levels are
L. Hand and J. Finch, Analytical Mechanics, Cambridge University Press (2005).
F. Scheck, Mechanics, Springer (1999).
In particular, the first one is quite appealing as it gets very quickly to the core of
advanced mechanics, which are the Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations of motion.
Those who mastered multi-variable calculus should have no problems reading most
graduate level texts. If you think you may continue studying physics in the future, it may
be a good investment to get one of those texts. Two standard textbooks are
E. Lifshitz and L. Landau, Mechanics, Elsevier Science (2003).
H. Goldstein, C. Poole and J. Safko, Classical Mechanics, Addison Wesley (2002).
The first one is a concise (only 170 pages!) summary of everything that one really
needs to know in classical mechanics. The second one is used in probably 90% of
graduate level courses.
On-line Course Support
The online support is maintained at https://blackboard.usc.edu/. Here you will find
a copy of this lecture syllabus, current homework assignments together with some
hints, solutions to completed homework, some past examinations, handouts, grades
and other information.
Homework Problem Sets
Homework problem sets complement the lectures and constitute an integral part of
the course. There will be approximately one assignment every week and it must be
turned in at the beginning of the lecture, not at the end, on the day it is due. There will
be no exceptions to this rule. The assignments and dates due will be posted on
blackboard. Please, make sure to staple together multiple homework sheets, as all
work submitted as loose, or clipped together pages will not be graded.
Solutions to each homework problem must be written legibly with enough details so
that anybody, not just the author, can understand what is going on. Specifically, be sure
to show all intermediate steps and use words, not just equations, to explain the solution.
A solution consisting of a string of equations with no comments, a figure if required or

some explanation will be considered unsatisfactory. A good practice is to try to figure

out whether a solution makes sense, e.g., whether the units are correct, the order of
magnitude is reasonable or whether the dependence on a given variable appears
logical. Since some problems may be difficult, you are encouraged to discuss them
among yourself or with the lecturer. However, the final solution must be written up
individually and no copying is allowed!
Graded homework will be returned in class and solutions will be posted on the
course home page. Unclaimed work will be destroyed after two weeks and no
complaints about grading will be accepted without the original work.

Miscellaneous
Your Feedback
Any comments that would make this course more effective will be very much
appreciated. You can contact your instructor directly before/after the class or during his
office hours or send him an e-mail. You can also talk to your T.A. and ask him to convey
your comments to the instructor.
In particular, if you find that the lectures are too slow or too fast, too easy or too
difficult, if you cannot read the handwriting on the blackboard and/or hear /understand
the instructor, please let him know. Similarly, if you find something particularly useful, let
him know as well.
Academic Integrity
Students who violate university standards of academic integrity are subject to
disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the university.
Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students and the university,
policies on academic integrity will be strictly enforced. We expect you will familiarize
yourself with the academic integrity guidelines found in the current SCampus.
Students with Disabilities
Students who need to request accommodations based on a disability are required to
register each semester with the Office of Disability Services and Programs (DSP). In
addition a letter of verification to the instructor from DSP is needed for the semester you
are enrolled in this course. If you have any questions concerning this procedure, please
contact the instructor and DSP at STU 301, (213) 740-0776. If you are using DSP,
please be aware of their deadlines and policies and follow them!

Outline of the course

Event

Chapter/S
ection

week

Days

Topics

1.
08/23

Tu
Th

2
08/30
3.
09/06
4.
09/13

Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th

5.
09/20
6.
09/27
7.
10/04
8.
10/11
9.
10/18
10.
10/25

Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th
Tu
Th

Lagrange multipliers and constraint forces,

7.8-7.10 magnetic forces

Tu
Th
Tu
Th

8.1-8.4
8.5-8.8
9.1-9.3
9.4-9.6

11.
11/01

M
W

12.
11/08
13.
11/15
14.
11/22
15.
11/29

Tu
Th
Tu
Th

12/13

Tu

Operations on vectors; velocity and

acceleration. Newtons laws. Motion of a
single particle. Linear air resistance
3.1-3.5 Momentum and angular momentum
4.1-4.4 Energy, work
Potential, central force, multiparticle system
4.5-4.10
Oscillations, damped
5.1-5.3 Driven oscillation, resonance. Fourier series
5.4-5.6 Fourier series
5.7-5.9 Calculus of variations. Euler equations
6.1-6.4
Lagrange equations
7.1-7.3
1.1-1.7
2.1-2.3

Midterm I

7.4-7.6
7.4-7.7

Midterm II

Lagrange equations with constrains,

generalized momenta, conservation laws

Two body central force, center of mass,

Kepler orbits
Mechanics in non-linear frames, tides,
rotating frame, centrifugal force

9.7-9.10 Coriolis force, free fall,

Foucault pendulum
Coupled oscillators
Tensor for mass and spring constant
11.4-116 Lagrangian approach,
Normal modes, normal coordinates
Rotation of rigid body
10.1-10.3 Inertia tensor,
11.1-11.3

Tu
Th
Tu
Th

10.4-10.9 principal axis, precession,

review
Final

8:00 10:00