- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Graeme Sarson
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
|
Semester 2 Credit Value:
|
10
|
|
ECTS Credits:
|
5.0
|
Aims
To introduce the mathematical methods required for the modelling and description of physical dynamic systems.
Module outline
In mathematics and physics, dynamics is the study of movement and change over time, in ways that can be described by mathematical equations or systems of equations. The aim is to explain and predict past and future patterns using basic principles of mathematics. Objects of interest might be tiny particles or huge stars, there might be a single object or very many. In addition to working in normal physical space, solving problems with differential equations (such as Newton's laws), the concept of phase space, which describe all the possible states of a system, is introduced; working in phase space, using geometrical methods, greatly assists in the understanding of dynamical systems.
Outline Of Syllabus
Particle dynamics: differentiation and integration of a vector-valued function; position, velocity and acceleration vectors in Cartesian and polar coordinates.
Newton's laws of motion and energetics: forces and linear momentum; angular momentum; kinetic and potential energies; motion under gravity; variable mass problems.
Pendulum motion and phase-space analysis: small amplitude, simple harmonic motion; damped and forced oscillations; introduction to phase-space analysis; large amplitude motion and nonlinear oscillations; 2D motion, double pendulums, and chaos.
Orbital motion: Newton's law of gravity; equations of orbital motion; Kepler's laws.
Multiple particles: two body system including reduced mass; introduction to N-body case; centre of mass.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category |
Activity |
Number |
Length |
Student Hours |
Comment |
|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Revision lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Formal Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Revision for class test |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 13:00 | 13:00 | Revision for unseen exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Unseen exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Assignment laboratory |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Class test |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Problem classes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Tutorials in the lecture room |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 12 | 0:10 | 2:00 | Office hours |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 17:00 | 17:00 | Studying, practising and gaining understanding of course material |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Review of coursework assignments and course test |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 4 | 4:00 | 16:00 | Preparation for coursework assignments |
| Total | | | | 100:00 | |
Jointly Taught With
| Code |
Title |
|---|
| MAS1902 | Dynamics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Problem Classes are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems. Tutorials are used to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. In addition, office hours (two per week) will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description |
Length |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 80 | N/A |
| Written Examination | 40 | 2 | M | 10 | Class test |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Comment |
|---|
| MAS1902 | Dynamics | 2 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 10 | Coursework assignments |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The coursework assignments will consist of one written assignment (approximately 3%), one assignment laboratory (approximately 3%) and two computer based assessments (each approximately 2%). The coursework assignments and the (in class, therefore 40 minute) coursework test allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
