2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS3511 Advanced Mechanics

15 Credits Class Size: 94

Module manager: Dr Chris Nixon
Email: c.j.nixon@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. Lagrangian mechanics and the Euler-Lagrange equation
2. Hamiltonian mechanics and Hamilton's equations
3. Rotational motion of rigid bodies
4. Small oscillations in coupled dynamical systems

Skills outcomes

An understanding of mechanics at advanced level
Problem solving skills

Syllabus

Formal mechanics of point particles: 2D, 3D, many particles.
Rigid body rotations, Euler angles, moment of inertia tensor.
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, generalised coordinates, constrained systems and Lagrange multipliers.
Variational methods.
Symmetry and conservation laws.
Theory of small oscillations, perturbation methods.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Workshop 11 2 22
Independent online learning hours 22
Private study hours 106
Total Contact hours 22
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 150

Private study

Reading lecture notes and books
Solving problems

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
In-course Assessment Regular Coursework 20
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 20

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) 2.0 Hrs 30 Mins 80
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 80

Students will have to complete an in-person exam at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound. Resits will be in standard exam format.

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 9/24/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team