Mechanics and Special Relativity
PHYSICS 16
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Newtonian mechanics and special relativity for students with good preparation in physics and mathematics at the level of the advanced placement curriculum. Topics include oscillators damped and driven and resonance (how to rock your car out of a snow bank or use a swing), an introduction to Lagrangian mechanics and optimization, symmetries and Noether's theorem, special relativity, collisions and scattering, rotational motion, angular momentum, torque, the inertia tensor (dynamic balance), gravitation, planetary motion and a little glimpse of quantum mechanics.
Course Notes
Principles of Scientific Inquiry (PSI) is the laboratory component of Physics 16. Topics include experimental design, model testing, error analysis, basic programming, oral presentations, and scientific writing. PSI will meet weekly throughout the semester. Emphasis is placed on collaborative teaching and learning. Many class materials are Mathematics notebooks.
Class Notes
Physics 15a/16 has a lab component. You must join the lab on this Canvas site: https://self-enroll.tlt.harvard.edu/7cffd320-de53-43f6-a047-082f969b6d3a
Available lab times are:
T 3-5
T 6-8
W 12:45-2:45
R 3-5
R 6-8
F 9:45-11:45
F 12:45-2:45
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
