SYLLABUS PHY-4241/5227:   "ADVANCED DYNAMICS" (SPRING 2010)

Final Exam scheduled for Friday, April 30, 2010 from 7:30 to 9:30 am.

Instructor: Bernd A. Berg
Time: 9:05-9:55 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays @ HCB 317
Office Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10:15-11:45 and by appointment (call or send e-mail).
Office: 615 Keen (644-6246). E-mail: berg at hep dot fsu dot edu.

Credit:  3 semester hours.
Pre-requisites:   PHY-3221 and PHY-4323: Intermediate Mechanics and Electromagnetism.
Co-requisites:  None.

The aim of the course is to expose senior undergraduate students to Classical Mechanics and Electrodynamics. We will start with the formal Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics, which is also a foundation of Quantum Mechanics. After a thorough treatment of the classical Kepler problem we will turn to to Classical Electrodynamics. Studying the physical meaning of the four Maxwell's equations, culminates in the unification of electricity and magnetism. The existence of electromagnetic waves is shown and the wave equation turns out to be inconsistent with Galilee Invariance. Following Einstein, we will introduce the postulates of the Special Theory of Relativity and modify Newtonian Mechanics accordingly. After some examples and applications, we introduce the four dimensional Minkowski space and the powerful approach of Covariant (frame-independent) Equations. In this framework it is shown that Maxwell's equations are the simplest first order differential equation which connect the six electromagnetic fields (three electric and three magnetic) with a conserved electromagnetic current. Finally, we will consider the Lagrangian formulation of Classical Electrodynamics.

Course Outline:

  Hamilton's Principle - Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics Chapter   7 (M&T)
 Central Potential Motion. Kepler problem. Chapter   8 (M&T),  Notes.
  Maxwell's Equations and Waves.  
  Electrodynamics and Special Theory of Relativity.   Lagrangian   Dynamics for Electrodynamics.  Notes.

Home and Class Work

 Set  1 Solutions: 6.pdf , 8_1.gif , 8_2.gif .
 Set  2 Solutions: 10.pdf , 12.jpg .
 Set  3 Solutions: 13.pdf , 14.pdf , 15.pdf .
 Set  4 Solutions: 17.pdf (Fortran, gnuplot, Maple), 18.pdf .
 Set  5 Solutions: 20.pdf , 21.pdf .
 Set  6 Solutions: 22.5.pdf .
 Set  7 Solutions: 24.pdf , see notes.
 Set  8 Solutions: Korbits.txt , 27a_b.pdf , Korbits.pdf , KParameters.txt , Fortran , 28.pdf .
 Set  9 Solutions: 30.pdf .
 Set  10 Solutions: 35.jpg , 36.pdf .
 Set  11 Solutions: 37.pdf , 38.pdf , 39.pdf , 39.mws , 41.pdf , 41.mws .
 Set  12 Solutions: 43.pdf , 45.pdf , 45.f , 45.plt , 45figure .
 Set  13 Solutions: 46.pdf , 49.pdf .
 Set  14 Solutions: 51.gif .

Exams
  Midterm (Wednesday March 17)
  Solutions .
  Final (Friday April 30)  

Textbooks:

S.T. Thornton and J.B. Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems , (Harcourt College).
Any edition will do (search the web for inexpensive used copies in good condition).

Marion and Thornton

The instructor will provide notes on the Electrodynamics part.

Evaluation of Performance:
The course grade will be based on homework assignments, classworks, a midterm exam, and the final exam. Classworks are unannounced quizzes and assignments, which have to be completed during the lecture hour. In contrast to exams classworks will be open book and you can freely talk with one another and the instructor. Missing class unexcused results in zero points on the particular classwork, if their is some at that day. There will be one homework set of about two problems per week. Solutions turned in every Monday in class. Discussions of the homework problems among students are encouraged - but each student must turn in his/her own assignment and should be able to explain his or her solution to the rest of the class. The instructor will post solutions after the homework is returned.

Assessment and Grades:
  Home and class works   70%
  Midterm (March 10)   10%
  Final Exam   20%
  A>90%, A->85%, B+>80%, B>70%, B->65%, C+>60%, C>50%, C->40%, D>20%, F the rest.  

Academic Honor Code:
Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in he Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. It is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.

ADA Statement:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should: a) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center SDRC; b) bring a letter to the instructor from SDRC indicating that you need academic accommodations. Please do this during the first week of class. This and other materials are available in alternative format upon request.
 
 


BACK.