PHY231 Engineering Dynamics - 0156-231-001 - Spring 2009 - SYLLABUS
Dr. Henry F. Ahner, x3165, hahner@adelphi.edu, LEV 100
Meeting Schedule: TR 12:15 - 1:05 p.m. & W 8:00 - 8:50 a.m., LEV 309
Course Description: Kinematics of particles, systems of particles, kinematics of rigid bodies,
plane motion of rigid bodies, mechanical vibrations.
Pre-requisite: PHY 230 Statics
Text: Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics and Dynamics, 8th Edition, 2006, by F. Beer, et al.
Study, with a problem-solving emphasis, the physics and engineering aspects of: Kinematics of particles, systems of particles, kinematics of rigid bodies, plane motion of rigid bodies, and mechanical vibrations. For example: why a cat is able to land feet downward, regardless of how it is dropped, and what musical notes should be produced by some vibrating objects.
Please read each text topic BEFORE the class it is scheduled for; then in class, ask appropriate questions.
Goals for student learning:
• Ability to solve problems involving all topics listed below.
o Kinematics of particles (rectilinear and curvilinear motion of particles)
o Kinematics of particles (Newton's second law and its applications)
o Kinematics of particles (energy and momentum)
o Systems of particles (motion of center of mass, angular momentum, kinetic energy of a system of particles)
o Kinematics of rigid bodies (translational and rotational motion, absolute and relative motion)
o Plane motion of rigid bodies (forces and accelerations)
o Plane motion of rigid bodies (energy and momentum)
o Kinetics of rigid bodies in three dimensions
o Mechanical vibrations (vibrations without damping and damped vibrations)
• To develop an intuitive understanding of particle motion.
• Appreciation of a practical use of each topic in addition to a conceptual understanding of it.
Suggested Learning Behaviors:
• Be an active class participant: Read the material in the text before we talk about it in class so that you are aware of any challenging areas. Ask an appropriate probing question as a difficult subject is covered. In this way you will focus the lecture time where it will help you the most.
• Be an active practitioner: Do a representative sampling of problems - it's simple - the more you do, the more you will learn and the better you will do in this class. If your answer does not agree with the answer in textbook, arrive at class a few minutes early. Put the problem up on the board, as far as you can go (i.e., list what is given, what is requested, do as much as you can, sketch roughly, if appropriate, etc. At the start of the class we will talk about how to take the next step and your efforts will insure that we will be talking directly to your concerns instead of rehashing the stuff you already know). Of course, if you prefer, get help with that problem somehow: Learning Center, friend, or develop your "stick-to-it-iveness" and solve it by trial and error yourself.
• Don't make the same mistake twice: If you do not get an exam problem correct, find out how to do it in case that type of problem shows up again later in the semester. (Hint: It probably will!) Everything in this course is cumulative and each concept and procedure builds on earlier work.
• Work alone, then share your solutions with a classmate. You will find you will solidify and clarify your own understanding of the concepts when you explain them to someone else. If you form a learning/study team with a classmate, you will benefit not only from the teaching experience but also
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