(partial) Syllabus for Physics 105 (Classical dynamics of particles and systems), Fall 1999:
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(UnDeR ConsTRuction...)
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office hours:
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general description of goals and...:
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#################TOPICS:
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************************** Study of Oscillators: ****************************
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reading:  relevant sections of chapter 3
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Topics:
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Damped oscillators:
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    ---- oscillation frequency and damping rate(s) vs damping parameter, beta.
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Electrical circuit-based oscillators:
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Driven damped oscillators:
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   -----Steady state response.
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  -----Transient state response.
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  -----matching solutions at boundaries in time...
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************************** Lagrangian approach to classical motion: ****************************
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reading:  relevant sections of chapter 6 and 7
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Topics:
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Lagrangian equation(s) of motion:
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   -----What it is....  how to use it!
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   -----Where does it come from? 
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                ..calculus of variations, minimization principles....
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Generalized coordinates:
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   -----What are they? 
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   -----Why should we care? 
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   -----How do you choose them? 
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   -----What happens if you pick the wrong ones? 
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   -----Are they dangerous? 
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Solving problems using the Lagrangian approach:
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-------(bead on a) Wire loop
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------- spinning oscillators, beads
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