PHY5200 F06

Review of Chapters 1 and 2 for the First Exam

Mathematical Techniques

  1. Vectors
    1. vector operations: addition/subtraction, muliplication by a scalar, scalar product, and cross product
    2. differentiation of vectors: including differentiation of scalar or vector product
  2. Coordinate Systems
    1. Cartesian or rectangular (2 and 3 dimensions)
    2. polar (2 dimensions) / cylindrical (3 dimensions)
    3. spherical (3 dimensions)
  3. Derivatives in Polar Coordinates: I will give you the expressions for r[dot] and r[ddot]
  4. Differential Equations
    1. simple integration
    2. guess solution
    3. separation of variables
    4. change of variables
    5. resolving vector equations into components
    6. don't forget constants of integration
  5. Taylor Series Expansion
  6. Hyberbolic Functions
  7. Complex Numbers
  8. Exponential Functions, both real and complex

Physics Topics

  1. Units
  2. Reference Frames
  3. Forces: uniform gravity, friction, normal, linear and quadratic drag, Lorentz (magnetic)
  4. Newton's Laws
    1. First: defines inertial reference frames
    2. Second: basic equation of motion
    3. Third: reaction force, yields conservation of momentum
  5. Inclined Plane Problems
  6. Simple Problems in Polar Coordinates
  7. Projectile Problems
    1. without air drag
    2. with linear air drag
    3. with quadratic air drag
    4. range and limits to motion
    5. terminal velocity
    6. making approximations such as effect of small air drag
  8. Motion of a Charge in Electric and Magnetic Fields

Problem Sets 1 to 4

Review any questions on these problems.

© Robert Harr 2006