This course is a study of classical dynamics, with an emphasis on the nature of the motion of celestial objects. The subject matter builds upon the elementary study of Newtonian mechanics, and prepares the student for advanced work in classical and celestial mechanics.
Successful completion of this course enables the student to :
| Instructor: | Dr. Frank P. Maloney 462 Mendel Science Center; 519-6023; 519-4820; frank.maloney@villanova.edu; Office Hours T Th 3:00 - 4:00 |
| Prerequisites: | Course(s) in integral and differential Calculus Course in elementary Newtonian mechanics |
| Text: | Required - Mechanics (third edition) by Keith R. Symon; ISBN 0-201-07392-7 Suggested - Mathematical Handbook by Murray Spiegel (from Schaum's Outline Series) |
| Grading: | Two one-hour, problem-based tests 12 February and 26 March | 200 | points, or 50% |
| Homework problems | 100 | points, or 25% | |
| Non-comprehensive Final Exam | 100 | points, or 25% | |
| ----- | |||
| TOTAL | 400 | points, or 100% |
| The grade scale is: | A = 93 to 100 | B+ = 87 to 89 | C+ = 77 to 79 | D+ = 67 to 69 | A- = 90 to 92 | B = 83 to 86 | C = 73 to 76 | D = 63 to 66 | B- = 80 to 82 | C- = 70 to 72 | D- = 60 to 62 |
COURSE CONTENT
| CHAPTER | SECTION | PROBLEMS | DUE DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALL | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14 | 19 January |
| 2 | 1 - 10 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Force = f(t) 18, 21, 25, 33 Force = f(x) 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 29 Force = f(v) 38, 39, 40, 45, 55 SHM | 26 January 28 January 09 February 09 February |
| 3 | 1 - 8, 12-15 | 3, 5, 7, 9 Vectors 11, 12 Work 24, 25 Angular Momentum 34, 35, 39, 41, 48 Central Forces 43, 44, 47, 49, 55 Harmonic Motion 58, 59, and below Planetary Motion Compute r and n for an asteroid of your choice | 23 February 25 February 25 February 16 March 23 March 30 March |
| 6 | ALL | 2, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 14a (q = 90), 15a (q = 0), 18, 19, 20 | 8 April |
| 7 | 1 - 4, 6 | 5, 6a, 7, 9, 14 Plus the restricted three-body problems assigned in class. Use a 3-D plotting routine (e.g., Maple or Sigma Plot) to plot the function U(x,y) for various values of masses | 29 April |
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
As a community committed to the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity, and love, Villanova University prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and does not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty or misconduct. Violations of the University's Code of Academic Integrity (as found, for example, in Appendix I of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Enchiridion) will be treated as serious offenses. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, such activities as plagiarism, representing the work of another student as one's own, copying on tests, etc. The minimum penalty for such violations in this course will be an "F" for the assignment in question. The most serious offenses may lead to expulsion from the University, with a record of the reason for dismissal retained in the student's permanent file.
Each student in Astrodynamics is expected to work independently, submitting his or her own work to be graded. Upon encountering a particularly difficult concept or homework problem, students are encouraged to meet with the instructor for additional help.