Physics 3221
MECHANICS
SPRING 2011


Advanced course covering rigid body dynamics damped and undamped oscillatory motion, with an introduction of LaGrange's equations and variational principles.

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INSTRUCTOR: J. J. Leventhal
Dept of Physics and Astronomy
University of Missouri-St. Louis
St.Louis, MO 63121,USA


Click here for brachistochrone demo #1.
Click here for brachistochrone demo #2.


Prerequisites: Physics 200 and Mathematics 202. (Mathematics 202 may be taken concurrently).
Text: Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems by Jerry B. Marion & Stephen T. Thornton (Thomson - Brooks/Cole, 2004, 5th edition).
Lecture time & place: MW 8AM-9:15AM, Room B445, Benton Hall
Exams: Two classroom exams on dates specified.
*******Final exam: Monday, May 9 07:45 – 09:45 AM in B445 Benton Hall.*******
Office address: B508 Benton Hall
Office hours: MW 9:15AM-10:00AM, Room B508, Benton Hall and by appointment
e-mail: jake@umsl.edu
Office phone: 314-516-5934
Fax: 314-516-6152 JJL curriculum vita.
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EXAMS & GRADING
There will be two classroom exams and a final exam worth 25%, 25% and 50% respectively. All exams will be closed book - no calculators. You will be permitted to bring one 3"X5" index card to each of the classroom exams and one 4"X6" index card to the final exam with anything written on them, both sides. Grades in excess of 90% on both classroom exams will exempt you from the final exam.

  • Click here to see the procedure for appealing grading of your classroom exam partial credit.

    Homework problems will not be counted toward your grade in the course. It is, however, strongly recommended that you work all assigned problems since the exams will be based on the homework assigned. (Otherwise, why assign homework?)

    The tentative grading scale is as follows: A: 100 - 90; B: 89 - 80; C: 79 - 70; D: 69 - 60; F: 59 and lower. It is conceiveable that this scale could be modified at the end of the semester, but only to favor the student.

    The tentative grading scale is as follows: A: 100 - 90; B: 89 - 80; C: 79 - 70; D: 69 - 60; F: 59 and lower. It is conceiveable that this scale could be modified at the end of the semester, but only to favor the student.

    *******DROPPING THE COURSE*******
    The University policy with respect to dropping the course will be followed.
    That is, after the drop date, before which a student can drop without predjudice,
    a student may drop the course with a grade of "excused" only if the student is passing.
    Click here to see the relevant dates for Spring 2011 semester and University rules for dropping & adding courses.