CLASSICAL MECHANICS

PHYSICS 191/193

This is an outline of some of the topics that will be covered.

KINEMATICS

• Addition and resolution of vectors.
• Unit vectors.
• Vector multiplication.
• Definition of velocity and acceleration as vectors.
• Linear motion: Constant acceleration
• Projectile motion
• Circular motion
• Centripetal acceleration

TRANSLATIONAL DYNAMICS/STATICS

• Equations for the equilibrium of extended bodies
• Newton's Laws of Motion
• Applications of Newton's Laws
• Friction (static and kinetic)
• Work and energy. Conservation of energy
• Conservation of momentum. Impulse
• Collisions: elastic and inelastic
• Elastic forces, Hooke's Law
• Oscillations of a spring. Simple Harmonic Motion

ROTATIONAL KINEMATICS/DYNAMICS

• Equations for the rotation of extended, rigid bodies
• Moment of inertia. Radius of gyration
• Kinetic energy of a rotating body
• The rate of change of angular momentum (torque)
• Conservation of angular momentum
• Gravitation. The Inverse Square Law. Gravitational potential energy