PHYSICS 3006 - Advanced Dynamics and Relativity III
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 3006 Course Advanced Dynamics and Relativity III Coordinating Unit School of Chemistry & Physics(Inactive) Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week Prerequisites PHYSICS 2532, PHYSICS 2534, MATHS 2101 or MATHS 2201, MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2202 Assessment Tests, assignments, written exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Derek Leinweber
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
- explain Lagrangian methods for problem solving, including small oscillations;
- explain the relation between symmetry and conservation;
- discuss the Hamiltonian formulation and its connection with quantum mechanics;
- discuss the space-time approach to relativity and four-vectors;
- explain relativistic kinematics and optics;
- discuss relativistic analytic mechanics for a particle coupled to a field;
- discuss covariant form of Maxwell's electromagnetic equations;
- recognise appropriate techniques for solving a range of problems;
- apply appropriate techniques to develop a solution; and
- assess the validity of any assumptions that were made, and the correctness of the solution.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-10 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-10 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-10 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-10 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-10 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-10 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-10 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-10 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Goldstein, H., C. Poole and J. Savko, Classical Mechanics 3rd ed., Addison-Wesley, 2002.
Rindler, W., Introduction to Special Relativity, 2nd ed., OUP 1991
Online Learning
MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website ().
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
- 3 Lectures of 1 hour each per week
- 1 Tutorial of 1 hour per week
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
Learning Activities Summary
Coursework Content
- Lagrangian Mechanics (27%)
- Newton's Laws for multiparticle systems; role of Third Law, breakdown for velocity-dependent Lorentz force.
- Constrained systems, rigid body, Euler angles; holonomic constraints, generalized coordinates, velocity dependent constraints, e.g. not integrable for rolling sphere.
- D'Alembert's principle, generalised velocity and force, conservative force, Lagrangian and equations of motion, velocity-dependent potentials, equivalent Lagrangians.
- Lagrangian calculations: plane pendulum, central force field (orbits & scattering), rigid body systems (CM translation plus rotation about CM).
- Calculus of variations, functional derivative, connection with Euler-Lagrange equations, brachistochrone, catenary, Hamilton's action principle.
- Symmetries and Conservation Laws (10%)
- Constants of integration, cyclic coordinates, generalised momentum.
- Jacobi's first integral, relation to time translations and energy.
- Noether's theorem for point mechanics, invariance under translations and rotations and conservation of momentum and angular momentum.
- Oscillations (10%)
- General definitions of equilibrium and stability, small oscillations about equilibrium, normal coordinates, coupled pendula, linear chain (1-D crystal).
- Hamiltonian Mechanics (18%)
- Legendre transforms (e.g. thermodynamics), phase space, Hamiltonian, Hamilton's equations, examples in Cartesian and polar coordinates, charged particle in electromagnetic fields.
- Poisson brackets, PB form of Hamilton's equations, Jacobi identity, connection with quantum mechanics, relation to conserved quantities, Poisson bracket theorem.
- Generalised phase-space coordinates, canonical transformations, invariance of PB's, preservation of Hamilton's equations, examples.
- Relativistic Kinematics (15%)
- Inertial frames, Newton's First Law, Galilean space-time.
- Einstein's axioms, space-time transformations, invariant interval, group of Lorentz transformations, metric tensor, space-/time-/light-like separations, rapidity, spacetime diagrams.
- Time dilation, length contraction, velocity addition, Doppler effect, aberration, visual appearance of moving objects.
- Four vectors, contravariance and covariance, tensors, covariance of physical equations, role of metric tensor.
- Relativistic Dynamics (8%)
- Four-velocity, -acceleration, -force. Four-momentum and its conservation, particle collisions, CM and brick-wall frames, particle decay and scattering using fourvectors, flow of four-momentum in Feynman diagrams.
- Action of a free relativistic particle, Hamiltonian, particle coupled to Lorentz scalar field.
- Electrodynamics (12%)
- Four-potential, Lagrangian for charged particle in field, field-strength tensor and its dual, Lorentz force as four-vector, behaviour of E,B fields under boosts, field of uniformly moving charge.
- Covariant form of Maxwell's equations, conserved four-current, retarded Green's function, gauge choice, Liénard-Wiechert potentials
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task
Type of assessment
Percentage of total assessment
Hurdle
Yes or No #
Outcomes being assessed / achieved
Assignments & Tests
Formative & Summative
30% - 40%
No
1 – 10
Exam
Summative
60% - 70%
No
1 – 10
Assessment Detail
Assignments and Tests: (30% - 40% of total course grade)
The standard assessment consists of 2 projects and 2 tests/assignments. This may be varied by negotiation with students at the start of the semester. This combination of projects, tests and summative assignments is used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material and to provide students with a benchmark for their progress in the course.
Written Examination: (60% - 70% of total course grade)
One exam is given to address understanding of and ability to use the material.
Absence from Classes due to illness (or other valid reason)
If you miss a laboratory session or are unable to attend a tutorial due to illness (or any other valid reason) you will need to fill out a form within 3 working days of your missed session. All forms are available from the School Office or on MyUNI.
Submission
Submission of Assigned Work
Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a replacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from:
Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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