PHY2102 CLASSICAL MECHANICS II

This course is a continuation of Classical Mechanics I. A student can only attend to this course after successfully sitting and passing Classical Mechanics I. It covers the following important topics: Waves and wave motion (limited to mechanical waves), the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, rigid bodies, moving coordinate systems, and rotating frames of reference. The course relies much on vector representations in three dimensions, so it is important that a student has done Mathematical Physics and Classical Mechanics I before undergoing this course
At the end of the course a student should be able to

• Derive and hence solve the wave equation subject to boundary conditions
• Distinguish between phase and group velocities
• Derive and apply Lagranges and Hamiltonian equations of motion to explain simple problems
• Explain the motion of rigid bodies and derive the associated equations, to calculate moment of inertia for systems of particles
• Solve Euler’s Equations for simple systems, and simple problems for rotating systems e.g the problem of the spinning top
• Perform experiments linking the theory and practical concepts

Expected Learning Outcomes

• On completion, successful students will be able to
• Explain the detailed behaviour of vibrating systems and wave motion in many different physical systems
• Use knowledge of Lagranges and Hamiltonian Mechanics to solve problems associated with systems in motion
• Use inertial forces to explain motion from the viewpoint of rotating frames of reference
• Use the general relation between the angular velocity and angular momentum of a rigid body to solve problems in rotational dynamics 
• Learn and formulate new knowledge from abstract arguments and thought experiments