MT4507 Classical Mechanics

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

10.00 am Mon (even weeks), Tue and Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof C E Parnell

Prof C E Parnell
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The object of this module is to introduce students to some of the ideas and mathematical techniques used in understanding the behaviour of dynamical systems that obey Newton's Laws. These notions are arguably the foundations of physics and applied mathematics. The module will include: Newton's laws of motion; conservative forces; central forces; non-inertial/accelerating frames of reference; dynamics of a system of particles; mechanics of a rigid body; Euler's equations; Lagrange's equations; Hamilton's equations.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS MT2506 OR PASS PH3081 ) AND PASS MT3504

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE PH4038

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2.5 lectures (x 10 weeks) and 1 tutorial (x 10 weeks).

Intended learning outcomes

  • Formulate and analyse problems in classical single and many particle dynamics using Newton?s Laws
  • Demonstrate that they have acquired detailed knowledge of formulating and solving problems in different frames of reference (including rotating frames of reference)
  • Formulate and analyse problems involving constraints using the concept of generalised coordinates and Lagrange?s equations
  • Demonstrate their acquired skills in applications such as the gravitational two-body problem
  • Formulate and analyse problems in the kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies