Debre Markos University: College of Natural and Computational Science Department of Physics

Debre Markos University
College of Natural and Computational Science
Department of Physics
Course Title: Mechanics Course Code: Phys 2001
Credits Hours: 4 hrs Contact hrs: 6hrs (4hrs lecture +2hrs tutor)
Prerequisite: general physics Prior knowledge: basic calculus, parallel
Academic Year: 2013 E.C Year/Semester: II/ I
College: Natural and computational science Program: Undergraduate
Department: Physics Enrollment: Regular
Instructors’ Name: Yesgat E. Course Status: Common
Course Rationale
The aim of this course is to develop a sound understanding of the central concepts of mechanics
at the conceptual and analytical level so that solving intermediate practical problems is possible.
b. Course Objective
This course intends to introduce students calculus based mechanics and dynamics of different
physical systems to develop their analytical and practical problems solving skill and understand
fundamentals of mechanics to be utilized in advanced physics courses.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
 discuss the graphical and analytical methods of vector addition, subtraction and
multiplication,
 compute average and instantaneous values of velocity, speed and acceleration,
 derive the kinematic equations for uniformly accelerated motion,
 solve problems involving bodies moving in one and two dimensional space using concepts
in calculus and trigonometry,
 explain some implications of Newton’s laws of motion,
 derive and apply work-energy theorem,
 apply the law of conservation of linear momentum to collisions,
 repeat the procedures followed to solve problems in rectilinear motion for rotational motion
 demonstrate understanding of Newton’s law of gravitation, describe simple harmonic
motion and the corresponding problems,
Course Description
The main topics to be covered are Vector Algebra, Particle Kinematics and Dynamics, Work and
Energy, Conservative Forces and Potential Energy, Dynamics of a System of Particles, Linear
Momentum, Collisions, Rotational Kinematics, Dynamics and Statics of a Rigid Body,
Gravitation and Planetary Motion, Oscillatory Motion.
Course Outline
Chapter One: Vectors (3hrs)
1.1 Representation of vectors
1.2 Vector addition
1.3 Vector multiplication
1.3.1 Dot (Scalar) product
1.3.2 Cross (Vector) product
1.3.3 Triple scalar product
1.3.4 Triple vector product
1.3.5 Applications of Vector Product
Chapter Two: One and Two Dimensional Motions (5hrs)
2.1 Average and instantaneous velocity
2.2 Average and instantaneous acceleration
2.3 Motion with constant acceleration
2.4 Projectile motion
2.5 Uniform circular motion
Chapter Three: Particle Dynamics (5hrs)
3.1 Newton’s laws of motion
3.2 Friction force
3.3 Application of Newton’s laws
Chapter Four: Work and Energy (4hrs)
4.1 Work done by a constant force
4.2 Work done by a variable force
4.3 Kinetic energy and work-energy theorem
4.4 Elastic potential energy
4.5 Conservative and non-conservative forces
4.6 Conservation of Energy
Chapter Five: Impulse and Momentum (8hrs)
5.1 Linear momentum and impulse
5.2 Conservation of momentum
5.3 System of particles
5.3.1 Center of mass
5.3.2 Center of mass of a rigid body
5.3.3 Motion of system of particles
5.4 Elastic and inelastic collision
5.4.1 Elastic collisions in one-dimension
5.4.2 Two-dimensional elastic collisions
5.4.3 Inelastic collisions
5.4.4 Systems of variable mass
Chapter Six: Rotation of Rigid Bodies (6hrs)
6.1 Rotational kinematics
6.1.1 Rotational motion with constant and variable angular accelerations
6.1.2 Rotational kinetic energy
6.1.3 Moment of inertia
6.2 Rotational dynamics
6.2.1 Torque and angular momentum
6.2.2 Work and power in rotational motion
6.2.3 Conservation of angular momentum
6.2.4 Relation between linear and angular motions
Chapter Seven: Gravitation (4hrs)
7.1 Newton’s law of gravitation
7.2 Gravitational field and gravitational potential energy
7.3 Kepler’s law of planetary motion
Chapter Eight: Simple Harmonic Motion (4hrs)
8.1 Introduction to harmonic motion
8.2 Equations of simple harmonic motion
8.2 Pendulum
Assessment
 Assignment----------------------------20%
 Quiz and Test-------------------------30%
 Final Exam----------------------------50%
 Total------------------------------------100%
Recommended References
 Course Textbook
1. Raymond A. Serway, Physics: For Scientists & Engineers, 9th ed., Thomson Bruke, 2004.
 References
1. Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedmann, University Physics with Modern Physics 12th ed.,
2008.
2. Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics for scientists and engineers, Printice Hall, 4th, 2005.
3. Robert Resnick and David Halliday, Fundamentals of Physics Extended, HRW 8th ed., 2008.
4. Paul M. Fishbane, Stephene Gasiorowicz, Stephen T. Thoronton, Physics for Scientists and
Engineers, 3rd ed., 2005.
5. Young, Hugh D. Sears & Zemansky’s, college physics, 9th ed. 2007.
5. H. Goldstein, Classical Mechanics, Addison Welsey 3rd ed., 2001.
6. K. R. Symon, Mechanics, Addison Welsey 3rd ed., 1971.

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Debre Markos University: College of Natural and Computational Science Department of Physics

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College of Natural and Computational Science

5. H. Goldstein, Classical Mechanics, Addison Welsey 3rd ed., 2001.

6. K. R. Symon, Mechanics, Addison Welsey 3rd ed., 1971.

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