MPhys Physics

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Dynamics

Late penalties for weekly Mastering Physics quizes

The weekly online quizzes will each contribute 1% of the marks when answered to a sufficient level (mark >40%). Late penalties apply as implemented in the software.  

To introduce the fundamental concepts of Newtonian mechanics.

On completion successful students will be able to explain the role of, and solve problems involving, the following concepts: 

1. frame of reference and its associated coordinate systems. 

2. Newton's laws and the motion of simple systems. 

3. energy, work, power, momentum, force, impulse, angular velocity, angular acceleration and torque. 

4. conservation of energy, momentum, and angular momentum. 

• Furthermore, they will be able to solve problems involving: 

5. the rotation of rigid bodies. 

6. motion in a gravitational field.

1: Motion in 2D and 3D 1

Position, velocity and acceleration as vectors; simple vector calculus. 

Accelerated motion in 2D (canon ball and circular motion)

2: Motion in 2D and 3D 2

Description of motion using polar coordinates

Reference frames, relative velocity, change of frame.

3: Newton's Laws

Newton I, II and III; application to circular motion.

4: Friction

Static and Dynamic Friction (also, motion in a vertical circle).

5: Work and Energy

Work energy theorem, centre of mass, reduced mass.

7: Potential Energy

Forms of potential energy and their application.

8: Momentum and Collisions

Momentum and its conservation.

Elastic and inelastic collisions.

9: Rotation of Rigid Bodies 1

Rigid body rotation

The vector product

Moments of inertia and their calculation

Torque and Newton II

10: Rotation of Rigid Bodies 2

Rolling without slipping

Combining rotation and translation

Angular momentum

Vector form

11: Gravitation

Newton’s Law of Gravitation 

Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion 

Gravitational Potential Energy 

Spherical mass distributions 

Tidal forces 

* Other

10% Weekly online 

10% Tutorial Work/attendance 

Feedback will be offered by tutors on students’ written solutions to weekly examples sheets, and model answers will be issued.

Online quizzes will also be incorporated into the weekly learning material to give students instant feedback on their understanding and ability to apply their knowledge and skills. 

Compulsory Text book

Young, H.D. & Freedman, R.A. University Physics (Addison-Wesley)

Recommended texts

Forshaw, J.R. & Smith, A.G. Dynamics & Relativity (Wiley)

French, A.P. Newtonian Mechanics (Norton)

Halliday, D., Resnick, R. & Walker, J. Fundamentals of Physics (Wiley)

Kleppner, D. & Kolenkow, R. An Introduction to Mechanics (McGraw-Hill)

Tipler, P.A., Physics for Scientists and Engineers (W.H. Freeman and company)

Supplementary maths text

Tinker, M. & Lambourne, R. Further Mathematics for the Physical Sciences (Wiley)