2020-21 Academic Catalog

This course begins with an introduction to classical mechanics using the Newtonian worldview. The kinematics and dynamics of some simple systems are investigated using Newton's laws, vector analysis, and the conservation laws of momentum and energy. The course moves beyond the Newtonian framework to address topics including special relativity and also selected applications to atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. Comfort with algebra and the integration and differentiation of elementary functions is assumed. Weekly laboratory work. Prerequisite: Previous completion of Mathematics 101 or 111. Not open to students who have completed Physics 131, 144, 145 or 151 at Carleton.