PHYS 3344 Learning Outcomes

PHYS 3344 Learning Outcomes - F21

Last edit: 25 Aug 2019

At the conclusion of PHYS 3344, the competent student will be able to, in a time-limited, closed book exam-like setting, and in homework exercises:

Select and draw a meaningful coordinate system that aids in the solution of an undergraduate classical mechanics problem;
Calculate the cross and dot product of vector functions in 3D Cartesian coordinates without the use of a textbook or outside reference;
Use Newton's laws to write a mathematical description of the forces acting on a particle undergoing projectile motion;
Determine if a force is conservative given its vector description;
Recognize the equation for simple harmonic motion and be able to write down the solution for undamped motion without reference to outside materials;
Draw a resonance curve for damped SHM and describe its qualitative dependence on the strength of damping;
Compute the Lagrangian of a mechanical system in a typical undergraduate mechanics problem;
Calculate the equations of motion from the Lagrangian for typical undergraduate mechanics problems;
Interpret the radial motion of a particle subject to a central force given a curve of its effective potential energy;
Describe the effects of the Coriolis force on the motion of a particle dropped near Earth's surface;
Compute the relativistic gamma factor and apply it to typical undergraduate time dilation and length contraction problems;
Transform a 4-vector from one inertial frame to another;