Catalog Description:  A continuation of the study of mechanics including accelerated reference frames, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, and generalized coordinates.  Prerequisite: PHYS 380.  One semester; one credit.

Text: Mechanics by Symon plus on-line course notes

Prerequisites by Topics:  Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of energy, conservation of linear momentum, conservation of angular momentum, differential equations, and vector calculus.

Goals:
1.  To train the student to think about physical phenomena in mathematical terms.
2.  To deepen the student's understanding of the basic laws of Newtonian (classical) mechanics using calculus and differential equations.
3.  To increase the student's ability to apply scientific principles and methods by applying them to a particular area of investigation.

Topics:
1. Moving Coordinate Systems

• Moving Coordinate Systems - The basics
• Rotating Coordinate Systems
• Effective Gravity
• Foucault Pendulum
• Larmor's Theorym
• Restricted Three-Body Problem

2. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Functions

• Generalized Coordinates
• Generalized Momentum, Force, and the Lagrangian
• Constraints
• Ignorable Coordinates and Constants of the Motion
• Hamilton's Equations
• Electro-Magnetic Forces and a Velocity-Dependent Potential

Instructor course pages: Dr. Johnny Holmes