Course Number: Phys 3610 and Phys 3620
Course Name: Classical Mechanics and Intermediate Mechanics
Credits: Both 3 Cr
Instructor Phys 3610 and 3620: Chandan Setty csetty@iastate.edu
PreReq Phys 3610: Credit in MATH 2650 and credit or enrollment in (MATH 2660 or MATH 2670) and credit in (PHYS 2320/H/L or PHYS 2420/H).
PreReq Phys 3620: Credit in PHYS 3610
Course Description
Two-semester sequence that covers Newtonian mechanics, Rigid body motion and Special Relativity. Topics covered include:
Phys 3610 (Classical Mechanics - Spring semester)
- Forced oscillations
- Central forces and orbital motion
- Collisions
- Moving frames of reference
- Lagrange's equations
Phys 3620 (Intermediate Mechanics - Fall semester)
- Small oscillations and Normal modes
- Length contraction and Time dilation
- Simultaneity
- Lorentz transformations
- 4-vector covariant formalism
- Relativistic mechanics