PHYS 386 - Classical Mechanics

This course offers a theoretical treatment of classical mechanics including Newtonian mechanics; conservation laws; energy, momentum and angular momentum; constrained systems; and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Fundamental theories are applied to selected topics such as central forces and the two-body problem; the Coulomb problem and planetary orbits; scattering of particles by a potential; small oscillations; non-inertial reference frames; rigid body dynamics; and chaotic systems.

Credit(s): 3
Prerequisite(s):

PHYS 275 - Vibrations and Waves

and PHYS 382 - Mathematical Methods in Physics with grades of “C” or higher. Pre- or Corequisite: MATH 365 - Ordinary Differential Equations.
Disciplinary Perspective(s):
None
Interconnecting Perspective(s):
None
University Graduation Requirement(s):
Honors Scholar

Term Offered: Spring