Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Muskogee and Sallisaw Regional Centers
Classical Mechanics
Spring 2007
Instructor: George Hagner Ph.D.
Phone: (office): 918-687-6383 ext. 293
(home): 918-683-0727
E-mail: [email protected]
Schedule: Physics four days per week
(Other day is at Sallisaw Campus)
OSSM honors the home high school schedule
Rationale and Objectives: This syllabus is intended to be an approximate timeline
for a one semester college level mechanics course. This course is a calculus
based, in-depth study of mechanics designed to promote good problem solving
skills and laboratory techniques. It will build on conceptual understanding
attained during the general physics course. Completion of this course will
prepare students for the Advanced Placement Physics C-Mechanics exam.
Text: University Physics 9th Edition by Young and Freedman, 1996, Addison-Wesley
Publishing Company Inc.
Reference Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Fishbane, Gasiorowicz
and Thornton, 2005, Pearson Educational
Inc.Laboratory:
Student conducted laboratory exercises and daily demonstrations conducted
by the instructor will support the lecturing process and comprise at least
20% of the total class time. All hands-on laboratory exercises will require
a written laboratory report following the guidelines disseminated at the beginning
of this course.
Homework:
Homework assignments are made at the beginning of each week and will be due
as stated on the homework packet. Most homework assignments consist of Advanced
Placement type problem solving. Many of the homework problems are from past
A.P. Exams.
Quizzes:
Short quizzes with the problems/questions taken directly from the Questions
at the end of the chapter will be given at the start of each new chapter.
(The quiz will be given prior to any lecture and is designed to see if you
read the chapter.)
Exams:
All exams are comprehensive. There will be 2 exams, one Midterm and one Final.
Each exam consists of problem solving type questions (In Advanced Placement
Format). Calculators and formula sheets are allowed on the problem solving
portion of the exams only.
Absences:
Due to the nature and pace of this course, absences are strongly discouraged.
Plan to get assignments in advance when school sponsored events require an
absence. In case of illness or emergencies which result in absences, you or
a parent may contact me directly to receive assignment instructions.
Grades:
40% of your grade is determined through homework and quiz scores. Each Exam
and the Midterm are worth 10%. The Final is worth 20%. Some laboratory reports
are considered Quizzes. 10% of your grade is determined through daily and
laboratory scores.
Grades for OSSM courses are sent directly to your sending high school in accordance
with their grade reporting schedule.
Topics to be Covered
Motion in one or Two Dimensions
1. Projectile Motion
2. Circular Motion
Newton’s Laws of Motion
1. Static equilibrium (first law)
2. Dynamics of a single particle (second law)
3. Systems of two or more objects (third law)
Applications of Newton’s Laws
1. Uniform Circular motion
Work and Kinetic Energy
1. Work and Work-Energy Theorem
2. Power
Potential Energy and Energy Conversion
1. Forces and Potential Energy
2. Dynamics of a Single Particle
3. Conservation of Energy
Momentum, Impulse, and Collision
1. Center of Mass
2. Impulse and Momentum
3. Conservation of linear momentum, collisions
Rotation of Rigid Bodies
1. Rotational kinematics and dynamics
Dynamics of Rotational Motion
1. Torque and rotational statics
2. Angular momentum and its conservation
3. Center of Gravity
Gravitation
1. Newton’s Law of Gravitation
2. Orbits of Planets and Satellites
a. Circular
b. General
Periodic Motion
1. Harmonic Motion – Springs - Pendulums
Labs to be completed
Lab 1: Introduction to Air Tracks (AT)
Lab 2: Kinematics Lab (AT)
Lab 3: Newtons Law (Newton’s 2nd Law) (AT)
Lab 4: Conservation of Mechanical Energy (AT)
Lab 5: Conservation of Momentum and Elastic Collisions (AT)
Lab 6: Conservation of Momentum and Inelastic Collisions (AT)
Lab 7: Energy in Rotational Motion
Lab 8: Determination of Gravitational Acceleration (Pendulum Lab)
How to study physics and maximize conceptual understanding of physics topics:
*Read the material in the textbook covering the selected topics before I present
the lesson.
*Take notes during lectures and ask questions!
*Review the lecture notes soon after the lesson and be prepared to clear up
any confusion before the next lesson is presented.
*Follow the problem-solving format provided and always show all your work.
*Pay close attention to proper units when solving physics problems.
*Allow yourself sufficient time to complete assignments by starting the assignment
as soon as possible following the class period. Never wait until the last
minute!
*Read the summary section of the chapter in order to put the concepts introduced
into proper perspective.
Supplies:
Three-prong folder with
Pockets
Small Three-Ring Binder
Notebook paper
Any Approved AP Calculator
(We have a few TI-83Plus
For Student use)
Graph paper, metric if
possible