everything.study
8.012

Physics I

5-0-7 units. PHYSICS I · Undergraduate

Elementary mechanics, presented in greater depth than in 8.01 . Newton's laws, concepts of momentum, energy, angular momentum, rigid body motion, and non-inertial systems. Uses elementary calculus freely; concurrent registration in a math subject more advanced than 18.01 is recommended. In addition to covering the theoretical subject matter, students complete a small experimental project of their own design. First-year students admitted via AP or Math Diagnostic for Physics Placement results.

Fall 2008 · Physics I: Classical Mechanics

Topics

  • Intro and vector definitions
  • Motion in cartesian and polar coordinates
  • Newton’s laws and forces
  • Application of Newton’s laws I
  • Application of Newton’s laws II
  • Momentum
  • Collisions I
  • Rocket motion
  • Energy
  • Potential energy
  • Energy conservation
  • Collisions II
  • Fixed axis rotation
  • Moment of Inertia
  • Rotational and translational motion
  • Rigid body motion
  • Gyroscopic motion I
  • Gyroscopic motion II
  • Cavendish experiment
  • Moment of Inertia tensor
  • Euler’s equations/accelerated reference frames
  • Accelerated and rotating reference frames
  • Central force motion and Kepler’s laws
  • Foundations of relativity

Readings

  • Readings listed in this section are from the required textbook:
    Listed reading
  • Kleppner, Daniel, and Robert J. Kolenkow. An Introduction to Mechanics . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1973. ISBN: 9780070350489.
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 1 · TOPICS: Intro and vector definitions · READINGS: Chapter 1
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 3 · TOPICS: Newton’s laws and forces · READINGS: Chapter 2
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 6 · TOPICS: Momentum · READINGS: Chapter 3
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 9 · TOPICS: Energy · READINGS: Chapter 4
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 13 · TOPICS: Fixed axis rotation · READINGS: Chapter 6
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 16 · TOPICS: Rigid body motion · READINGS: Chapter 7
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 21 · TOPICS: Euler’s equations/accelerated reference frames · READINGS: Chapters 7 and 8
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 22 · TOPICS: Accelerated and rotating reference frames · READINGS: Chapter 8
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 23 · TOPICS: Central force motion and Kepler’s laws · READINGS: Chapter 9
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 24 · TOPICS: Foundations of relativity · READINGS: Chapter 11
    Reading assignment
  • Kleppner, Daniel, and Robert J. Kolenkow. An Introduction to Mechanics . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1973. ISBN: 9780070350489.
    Required

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: None U (Fall) 5-0-7 units. PHYSICS I Credit cannot also be received for 8.01 , 8.011 , 8.01L , ES.801 , ES.8012

Sources