Physics 116 - Mechanics & Wave Motion

The course will begin with a description of the motion of particles and introduce Newton’s dynamical laws and a number of important force laws. We will apply these laws to a wide range of problems to gain a better understanding of the laws and to demonstrate the generality of the framework. The important concepts of work, mechanical energy, and linear and angular momentum will be introduced and the unifying idea of conservation laws will be discussed. The study of mechanical waves permits a natural transition from the dynamics of particles to the dynamics of waves, including the interference of waves. Additional topics may include fluid mechanics and rotational dynamics. Four hours of lecture in the fall and three hours of lecture in the spring. Also one three-hour laboratory per week. 

Requisite: MATH 111. Limited to 48 students. Fall and spring semesters.  Fall semester: Professors Hall and Hasegawa. Spring semester: TBA.