Syllabus
Physics 494: Mathematical
Physics I
Fall 2009
Office: Upham:
153
Telephone: 472-1080
Office
hours: T
& R: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
W: 9:30 –
11:30 AM & 5:00 – 6:00 PM
All other times, by appointment only.
E-mail: boukahia@uww.edu
Course Description:
Topics include , limits,
increments and infinitesimals and their applications to physical problems,
differentiation and differentials
in physics, integration as anti-differentiation and integration of higher
derivatives (application to kinematics in one dimension), vector and coordinate
frames: application to kinematics in two and three dimensions , definite
integrals and the integral as an area: application to mechanical energy and
work, partial derivatives, increments, and total derivatives: application to
force and potential energy, linear momentum, angular momentum and the dynamics
of systems, integrals in two and three: application to the dynamics of rigid
bodies including rotations and forces in equilibrium.
Textbook: Notes will be
distributed in class.
Please note: this is not a pure mathematics course; it
is rather a PHYSICISTÕS way of doing mathematics. We will not spend any time
trying to prove that a solution exists and is unique or show that some series
converges.
Attendence:
Class attendance is not required but the students are responsible for assignments if they do miss any class period.
Grading:
The grade in
this course will be distributed as follows:
¥Homework
assignments count for 80% of your
total grade. The problems will be assigned every week in class and will be due
one week later. You are encouraged to start working on your homework assignment
immediately. The work you submit for grading must be your own not someone
elseÕs.
¥Final exam
counts 20% of your total grade.
The final
exam: Dec. 16th, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, UH 141
This course is being offered Pass (S –
satisfactory) / No Credit (NC)
Grades: (in %) >
70% S
< 70% NC
Tentative Schedule:
Week 1:
The notion of limit in physics
Week 2: Differentiation and differentials in physics
(kinematics in one dimension)
Week 3: Integration as anti-differentiation:
application to physical problems
Week 4: Integration of higher derivatives (General
Equations of Motion)
Week 5: Vectors and coordinate frames (Principles of
Dynamics)
Week 6: Definite integrals (Mechanical Energy and
Work)
Week 7: Partial derivatives
Week 8: Application of partial derivatives to
conservative systems (Force-Potential)
Week 9: Application of partial derivatives to
chaotic systems
Week 10: Application of partial derivatives to the
dynamics of systems
Week 11: Integrals in two dimensions
Week 12: Application to forces in equilibrium
Week 13: Application to Gravitation and Planetary
Motion
Week 14: Integrals in three dimensions
Week 15: Application to the Rotation and Dynamics of
Rigid Bodies
Special
Item:
There
will be extra sessions offered to students registered for this course. These
one–hour sessions will focus on problem solving techniques, including
some homework problems. You are encouraged to attend these sessions. The time
and place will be announced before September 15, 2009.
Special needs statement: Students with special needs should contact the
instructor to make appropriate arrangements.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is
dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It
is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize
themselves with University policies regarding Special Accomodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accomodation, Discrimination and Absence for
University Sponsored Events. (For details please refer to the Undergraduate
and Graduate Timetables; the Rights and
Responsibilities section of the Undergraduate Bulletin; the
Academic
Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and
Services sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and
the Student Academic
Disciplinary Procedures [UWS Chapter 14]; and the Student Nonacademic
Disciplinary Procedures [UWS Chapter 17].)