PH 314 Homework
Assignments Spring 2013
Text: Introduction to Classical Mechanics, by David Morin
Morin has 'Problems' at the end of each chapter, and
'Exercises'.
He gives the solutions at the back of each chapter to the 'Problems',
but not to the Exercises.
Homework sets 'expire' at 5 PM, 2
days after they are due.
Set 1. Due Thursday March
7, 2013.
- Morin Problem 1.16, p. 17. Take the limit of small alpha. If you
get y(t) = 0, go back and keep more terms in alpha.
- Do a binomial expansion to find the square root of 90. First let
90 = 100(1-10/100), so that x = 0.1. Keep the
first three non-vanishing terms. Compare to what your calculator gives
you. Then let 90 = 81(1+9/81), so x = 1/9, and repeat.
- Problem 1.17. Pendulum swings through 90 degrees from horizontal
to vertical. You must write the code for this, not just
letting Maple do a numerical integration. Tuesday we will
discuss RK2 as a possible way to do it. First let L = 1.0 m, and get
his answer, then repeat for L = 1.5 m and get a new answer.
Set 2. Due Tuesday March 12, 2013.
- Morin problem 2.31, p. 37
- Morin Problem 2.18, p. 34 ( Don't peek at his solution p. 49 till
you have tried it for several minutes)
- Morin problem 2.4, except that I want the max F before the
block slips (theta as shown in the diagram)
- Lagrange's equations for two masses and a spring, no friction
(handed out) [This problem has been cancelled.]