Intermediate Mechanics I

The one-semester course aims at providing further introduction of classical mechanics. The course first discusses further concepts in key ideas in classical mechanics, including kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum and angular momentum. Then the course focuses on some important applications in classical mechanics, including central force problem, oscillation and non-inertial frame.

Textbook: Intermediate Dynamics (Hamill)

Reference books:

Classical mechanics (Marion)

Modern Classical Mechanics (Helliwell, Sahakian)

Course Outline

Course content: (Inside bracket is the in-depth discussion topics)

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Kinematics (Displacement, velocity and acceleration in other coordinates)

Chapter 3: Dynamics (Equation of motion and their solution)

Chapter 4: Energy (Force in other coordinate systems)

Chapter 5: Momentum (Mass-varying systems, 2D collision)

Chapter 6: Angular momentum (Statics, Gyroscope, collision of macroscopic objects)

Chapter 7: Central Force (Orbital motion of planets, orbit stability)

Chapter 8: Oscillation (Damped and forced harmonic oscillator)

Chapter 9: Non-inertial frame (Centrifugal force, Coriolis force, their applications)