Class times: Tuesdays 1:30-4:00 PM

Office hours: By appointment.

Part I: Computational Methods in Classical Mechanics

The goal of the first half of this class is to learn some of the basic computational methods used in mechanics. This half will be taught in Olin 103. You must bring your computer and power supply to each class. For several of the labs, we will be using Maple: a mathmatics program already installed on your WFU computer. Maple is found by clicking:

Start/WFU Academic Tools/Scientific Tools/Maple

Before you come to class, make sure that Maple has been activated on your computer. If necessary, contact the computer help desk (x 4357) for a registration number.

Your lab write-up will consist of your computer code (either a Maple or Excel worksheet) which must be heavily annotated to clearly define your variables and explain your methods.

Comp Lab 1, Numerical Integration

Comp Lab 2, Solving Multiple Equations

Comp Lab 3, Matrices

Comp Lab 4, Simple Mechanics and Graphing

Comp Lab 5a, Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Comp Lab 5b, Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Comp Lab 5c, Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Comp Lab 6, Orbital Motion

Part II: Experiments in Classical Mechanics

In this half, you will perform and analyize the following classical experiments. Most of these experimental setups will be found in room 203. Before each lab, print out the cooresponding PDF file.

1 Harmonic Motion This is a long lab, so you will have two weeks to complete this one.

2 Rocket Science Due to fire code rules, this experiment must be performed outside.

3 Rotational Motion

4 Gyroscopes

5 Cavendish Experiment This experiement is set up in room 211.