Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS3511 Advanced Mechanics

15 creditsClass Size: 94

Module manager: Dr Chris Nixon
Email: c.j.nixon@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Sep to 31 Jan (adv yr), Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. Lagrangian mechanics and the Euler-Lagrange equation
2. Hamiltonian mechanics and Hamilton's equations
3. Rotational motion of rigid bodies
4. Small oscillations in coupled dynamical systems

Skills outcomes
An understanding of mechanics at advanced level
Problem solving skills


Syllabus

Formal mechanics of point particles: 2D, 3D, many particles.
Rigid body rotations, Euler angles, moment of inertia tensor.
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, generalised coordinates, constrained systems and Lagrange multipliers.
Variational methods.
Symmetry and conservation laws.
Theory of small oscillations, perturbation methods.
Relativity and Minkowski Space

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Independent online learning hours22.00
Private study hours117.00
Total Contact hours11.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

Reading lecture notes and books
Solving problems

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
In-course AssessmentRegular Coursework20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)20.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 30 mins80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)80.00

Students will have to complete an in-person exam at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound. Resits will be in standard exam format.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 07/08/2023

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019