Newtonian Synthesis

Fall 2016

The Newtonian Synthesis: Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Waves

Listed in: Physics and Astronomy, as PHYS-123

Formerly listed as: PHYS-23

Faculty

David Hanneke (Section 01)

Description

The idea that the same simple physical laws apply equally well in the terrestrial and celestial realms, called the Newtonian Synthesis, is a major intellectual development of the seventeenth century. It continues to be of vital importance in contemporary physics. In this course, we will explore the implications of this synthesis by combining Newton’s dynamical laws with his Law of Universal Gravitation. We will solve a wide range of problems of motion by introducing a small number of additional forces. The concepts of work, kinetic energy, and potential energy will then be introduced. Conservation laws of momentum, energy, and angular momentum will be discussed, both as results following from the dynamical laws under restricted conditions and as general principles that go well beyond the original context of their deduction. Newton’s laws will be applied to a simple continuous medium to obtain a wave equation as an approximation. Properties of mechanical waves will be discussed. Four hours of lecture and discussion and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Requisite: MATH 111. Limited to 24 students.  Admission with consent of the instructor. Fall semester.  Professor Hanneke.

Course times and locations

PHYS 123 - LEC

Section 01
M 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MERR 3
W 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MERR 3
F 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MERR 3

PHYS 123F - DIS

Section 01
Th 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM MERR 1

PHYS 123L - LAB

Section 01
W 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM MERR 200

Textbooks

ISBN	Title	Publisher	Author(s)	Comment	Book Store	Price
	University Physics with Modern Physics Technology Update, Volume 1 (Chs. 1-20), and MasteringPhysics with Pearson eText Student Access Code Card		Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman		Amherst Books	TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024