NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Tel. No. (632) 920-9749

http://www.nip.upd.edu.ph

PHYSICS 202.1
(Master of Arts, Major in Physics Program)
Second Semester, Academic Year 2015 - 2016
COURSE TITLE :
COURSE CODE :
SECTION
:
PREREQUISITE :
CREDIT
:
CLASS HOURS :

Foundations of Mechanics 1
41386
THZ-1
__
3 units; 3 hours per week
5:30 7:00 p.m.,
Tuesday & Thursday

CLASS ROOM : NIP F202

INSTRUCTOR : Dr. Cristine Villagonzalo
Office : Faculty Room: F302
R301, Structure and Dynamics Group
E-mail : cvillagonzalo@nip.upd.edu.ph
Consultation hours:
2:30 5:30 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday & Friday

COURSE DESCRIPTION : Principles of Newtonian mechanics, the Newtonian theory of gravitation,

collisions, systems with constraints, Lagrangian formulation, central force motion, linear and nonlinear
oscillations
LEARNING OUTCOMES : At the end of this course, the students must be able to demonstrate
conceptual and analytical understanding in the specific subject areas of the fundamentals of classical
mechanics as described in the course description of Physics 202.1. In particular, the students must
have:
1. developed the facility in using the mathematical methods in classical mechanics in modeling
and solving physical problems in which Newtons axioms are valid; and
2. explored the consequences of Newtons axioms in formulating and solving the kinematics and
dynamics of moving macroscopic objects.
TOPICS:
1. Review of vector calculus, differentiation and integration
2. Newtons axioms, presumptions and validity
3. Basic concepts of mechanics (such as force, momentum, work, energy, inertial systems &
conservation laws)
4. General linear motion, the free fall, friction
5. Linear and nonlinear oscillations, the harmonic oscillator and the pendulum
6. Central force motion, Newtonian theory of gravitation
7. Collisions and scattering problems, conservation of momentum
8. Lagrangian mechanics, constraints and generalized coordinates
MAIN REFERENCES:
1. Walter Greiner, Classical Mechanics Point Particles and Relativity (Springer-Verlag, New
York 2004).
2. Walter Greiner, Classical Mechanics Systems of Particles and Hamiltonian Dynamics
(Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2010).
OTHER REFERENCES :
1. R. Douglas Gregory, Classical Mechanics An Undergraduate Text (Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge, 2006).
2. Dieter Strauch, Classical Mechanics An Introduction (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2009)
3. Herbert Goldstein, Classical Mechanics, 2nd ed. (Addison-Wesley, Reading Ma., 1980)

REQUIRED READING :
Problem-solving strategies, Chapter 1 of D. Morins Problems and Solutions in Introductory
Mechanics (CreateSpace, 2014), available at
http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/ProblemsChap1.pdf [accessed on 13 Jan. 2016]

Physics 202.1 Foundations of Mechanics 1

Second Semester, Academic Year 2015 2016
(page 2 of 2)
RESOURCES ONLINE [accessed on 13 January 2016]:
1. Physics 202.1 at UVLE, http://uvle.upd.edu.ph/loginfinal/
2. David Tong, Dynamics and Relativity (Lecture Notes), (University of Cambridge, 2013),
available at http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/relativity.html
3. Daniel Arovas, Lecture Notes on Classical Mechanics, (University of California San Diego,
2008), available at
http://physics.ucsd.edu/students/courses/winter2008/physics110b/lectures.html
4. David Morin, Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics (CreateSpace, 2014)
Links to Chapters 1 to 4 at http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/book.html
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA :
Written Exam 1
Written Exam 2
Written Exam 3
Class Participation (Exercises, Quizzes & Problem Sets)
Total
GRADE EQUIVALENTS :
Score (X)
Grade
90 X 100
1.0
85 X < 90
1.25
80 X < 85
1.5
75 X < 80
1.75
70 X < 75
2.0
65 X < 70
2.25

Excellent
Very Good
Good

25%
25%
25%
25%
100%

Score (X)
Grade
60 X < 65
2.5
Satisfactory
55 X < 60
2.75
50 X < 55
3.0
Passing
45 X < 50
0 X < 45

4.0
5.0

Conditional Failure
Failed

UP POLICY : Please note that any form of cheating in examinations or any act of dishonesty
in relation to studies, such as plagiarism, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
CLASS POLICIES & EXPECTATIONS:
1. The students must use their time productively in class by taking their own notes and
participating in class activities.
2. The students must build their problem solving skills by working out their own solutions to
exercises before consulting others.
3. Students are expected to follow university policies in the satisfaction of academic
requirements.
4. Students who incur six (6) or more absences without ofcially dropping the course shall
be given a failing grade (5.0) in accordance with the university rules on absences.
5. An excuse letter or a University Health Service certificate for an excused absence must
be submitted within the week the student returns to attend the class.
6. An excused student who missed an exam is given a make-up exam on an agreed
schedule.
7. Students must submit completed solutions to problems sets before or on the deadline.
A late submission is accepted only in cases of excused absences.
IMPORTANT 2016 DATES :
First Day of Classes
18 Jan., Mon
Mid-Semester
17 Mar., Thu
Last day of Dropping 20 Apr., Wed

Leave of Absence filing deadline 2 May, Mon

End of Classes
19 May, Thu
Final Examinations
21 May 28 May

Holidays
Lunar New Year
8 Feb., Mon
Araw ng Kagitingan
EDSA Anniversary
25 Feb. Thu
Labor Day
Holy Week Break (students) 21 27 March
National Elections

9 Apr., Mon
1 May, Sun
9 May, Mon