PHYS 3318

PHYS 3318

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2023-2024.

Covers Newtonian mechanics of particles and systems of particles, including Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, conservation laws from symmetries, with applications to two-body orbits in a central force, systems undergoing small amplitude oscillations, rigid body motion, motion in non-inertial reference frames, perturbation theory, and nonlinear behavior. Both analytical and numerical methods for solving problems in mechanics are covered. At the level of Classical Mechanics by Goldstein, Mechanics by Landau and Lifshitz, and Analytical Mechanics by Hand and Finch.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Intended for: students with exceptional background in physics/math.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: intro sequence in Physics (1116, 2217, 2218, or 1112, 2213, 2214).

Distribution Category (PBS-AS, PHS-AS, SMR-AS)

Comments Makes use of Fourier analysis, linear differential equations, linear algebra, and vector analysis.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion.

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  4117 PHYS 3318   LEC 001

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Prerequisites: PHYS 2214 or 2218, Differential equations, and Linear algebra. Students whose schedule of required classes prevents them from enrolling in any open lecture or discussion section should refer to https://physics.cornell.edu/enrollment-guide for guidance.

  •  4118 PHYS 3318   DIS 201

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    Limited to students in Ithaca.

  •  5824 PHYS 3318   DIS 202

  • Instruction Mode: In Person