Following Fundamentals of Mechanics 1, this course teaches the mechanics of systems of interacting particles and rigid bodies (defined as systems of particles in which the distances between particles is fixed) as well as particle motion observed in a coordinate system undergoing acceleration.
Mechanics is important for understanding nature, and is essential for the study of science, engineering, life sciences, and other specialized courses. Building on the mechanics of single particles, students will learn the mechanics of systems of interacting particles. From this, they will learn the motion and balance of rigid bodies. In addition, they will learn particle motion in coordinate systems undergoing accelerated motion as well as inertial forces. At the end of class, students will be able to solve general problems in mechanics.
By completing this course, students will be able to:
1) Correctly understand the concepts of momentum, angular momentum, energy, etc. in systems of particles; the center of mass, moment of inertia, etc. in rigid bodies; and mathematically describe them.
2) Correctly understand motion and equilibrium of rigid bodies, and solve actual physical problems by applying the appropriate mathematical formulas.
3) Correctly understand the concept of inertial forces (Coliolis force and centrifugal force) and mathematically describe them.
4) Correctly understand the concept of oscillation and wave, and mathematically describe them.
5) Find mathematical solutions to problems in mechanics, expressed by the appropriate equations, and explain the physical meaning of said solutions.
relative coordinates, reduced mass, center of mass, momentum, angular momentum, energy, rigid bodies, equilibrium, moment of inertia, inertial force, Coriolis force, centrifugal force
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Two-thirds of each class is devoted to fundamentals and the rest to advanced content or application. To allow students to get a good grasp of the course contents and practice problem solving skills, problems related to the contents of this course are provided in Exercises in Physics I.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Motion of two interacting particles (relative coordinates, reduced mass) | Understanding that the motion of two interacting particles is equivalent to the motion of a single particle. |
Class 2 | Momentum and angular momentum in a system of particles (center of mass, laws of conservation of momentum and angular momentum) | Explain the laws of conservation of momentum and angular momentum for a system of particles. |
Class 3 | Equations of motion and equilibrium of a rigid body (torque, conditions for equilibirum) | Explain the equations of motion for a rigid body and its equilibrium properties. |
Class 4 | Motion of a rigid body around a fixed axis (moment of inertia, angular momentum and energy of a rigid body, rigid body pendulum) | Understanding the concept of moment of inertia and how it is used to define the angular momentum and kinetic energy of a rigid body. |
Class 5 | Calculation and theorem of moments of inertia for varioius rigid bodies, Planar motion of a rigid body (rotational motion) | Find moments of inertia for various rigid body shapes. Explain rotational motion of a rigid body. |
Class 6 | Motion in an accelerated coordinate system | Be able to compare and contrast the Coriolis force with the centrifugal force. |
Class 7 | Oscillations of a string and wave equation | Derive one-dimensional wave equation. |
Baifu-lkan "Basic Physics, Mechanics" by Jun Akiyama et al.
To be presented in the class
Evaluated mainly by a final exam. Contributions (answering quiz and asking questions) during classes are also taken into account.
No prerequisites.