Download PES 3210 Classical Mechanics I

PES 3210 Classical Mechanics I
Mid-term Review
Material taken from Chapters 1-5 of Taylor and class notes. Problem solution only, no definitions or
derivations. 8.5” by 11” cue sheet allowed. Calculators allowed. Any constants needed will be
provided.
Know how to do the following types of problems:

Be able to determine if a force is conservative or not (curl=0 or force can be expressed as the
gradient of a potential). Be able to calculate the gradient of a scalar function and the curl of a
vector function (Cartesian coordinates only). Given a conservative potential function, know
how to find and characterize the equilibrium points and their stability.

For a particle falling through the air, know how to choose the drag model (linear or quadratic)
that should be used, and be able to use it for a vertically or horizontally moving particle
(finding position or speed as a function of time, terminal velocity, etc.).

Given the equation of a force in some region, be able to calculate the work it would take to
move a particle from one position to another along a specified path.

Be able to apply the conservation of linear momentum to a multi-particle system in one or two
dimensions (elastic collisions only). Be able to apply the conservation of angular momentum
to a particle or a rigid body rotating object about an axis.

Be able to find the equations of motion for a particular physical situation. Know the
Newtonian method at a minimum in both Cartesian and Polar coordinates. You can use
Lagrangian Mechanics, if desired. (It will not be necessary to solve the equations of motion.)
Be able to draw a free-body diagram. Know how to select boundary conditions (or initial
conditions).

Know the solution to the Simple Harmonic Oscillator in whatever form makes sense to you,
but be able to use it to find the position, velocity, acceleration, and/or force on the particle, and
the kinetic and potential energy in the oscillator.

Given the characteristics of a damped oscillating box & spring (mass, spring constant, ballistic
coefficient), know how to compute the decay parameter, , and be able to predict the amplitude
decay in an underdamped condition.
R. Gist
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Ver. A, Rev 2