PHYS 5930 - Theoretical Mechanics

Goals: To develop an understanding of Newtonian mechanics with emphasis on conservation principles.

Content: Particle dynamics in one and three dimensions with special attention to the central force problem, simple harmonic oscillator, kinematics, dynamics of a system of particles, wave motion, generalized coordinates, and the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics. This course acts as an elective of the Computational Science minor because students model dynamical systems using computer software like Mathematica.

Taught: Annually.

Prerequisite: PHYS 1240 and MATH 3720.

Credits: 4 credits