Mechanics is the study of the effects of energy and forces on the motion of physical objects. In PHY138 we will study those areas of mechanics that either have direct applications to the life sciences or that will be needed for subsequent sections of the course. Some of the content of this section of the course will be a review of High Schools Physics, which we will then extend to a deeper level of understanding.
This document contains the following sections:
| You may jump to the link for the most recent class by clicking on the arrow to the right. | |
This page is the primary reference for the syllabus, textbook references and links to detailed class summaries. The other sections duplicate material that is available elsewhere, and is provided as a convenience.
The table below lists the syllabus and textbook references for the Mechanics section of PHY138.
Textbook chapters, sections and subsections that are listed below are examinable. Textbooks chapters, sections and subsections that are not listed or are explicitly omitted are not examinable unless otherwise announced.
| Topics that either do not appear in the textbook or that we discussed in a significantly different way than the textbook are identified with the icon shown to the right. This material is examinable. |  |
Topics that are in bold-italics are applications to the Life Sciences.This material is examinable.
| Sometimes a topic will be discussed in a spiral fashion: something is introduced at one point and later that topic is re-visited in more detail. When a topic will be re-visited it is identified with the icon to the right. |  |
It is likely that the syllabus will change somewhat as the course proceeds. After the class has been given, the topics and text references will be updated if necessary and a link will appear in the More column to a more detailed summary of the class.
| Class | Major Topics | Textbook Reference | More |
|---|---|---|---|
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1
Mon. Sept. 12 |
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None |  |
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2
Wed. Sept. 14 |
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Chapter 1 - Concepts of Motion | |
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3
Mon. Sept. 19 |
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Chapter 2 - Kinematics: The Mathematics of Motion Omit subsection of §2.4: A Little More Calculus: Integrals |
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4
Wed. Sept. 20 |
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Chapter 3 - Vectors and Coordinate Systems Chapter 4 - Force and Motion |
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5
Mon. Sept. 26 |
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Chapter 5 - Dynamics I: Motion Along a Line Omit §5.4 - Friction Omit §5.5 - Drag |
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6
Wed. Sept. 28 |
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Chapter 6 - Dynamics II: Motion in a Plane Omit §6.4 - Relative motion |
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7
Mon. Oct. 3 |
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Chapter 7 - Dynamics III: Motion in a Circle §7.1 - §7.4 |
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8
Wed. Oct. 5 |
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§7.5 - §7.6
Chapter 8 - Newton's Third Law |
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9
Wed. Oct, 12 |
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Chapter 9 - Impulse and Momentum | |
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10
Mon. Oct. 17 |
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Chapter 10 - Energy |
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11
Wed. Oct. 19 |
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Chapter 11 - Work §11.1 - §11.9 |
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12
Mon. Oct. 24 |
Chapter 13 - Rotation of a Rigid Body |
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13
Wed. Oct. 26 |
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§13.4 - §13.7, §13,10 |
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All of the above. | |
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15
Wed. Nov. 2 |
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Nothing from the textbook, but we will discuss Significant Figures from Class 2 in a different way. | |
For your convenience, a pdf version of the classes, topics and textbook references from the above table suitable for printing has been prepared. To access this version click on the button to the right. |
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Dr. David M. Harrison
Office: MP121B (South-East corner of the 1st floor of the North Wing of McLennan Labs, 60 St. George St.)
Phone: 416 978 2988
Email: harrison@physics.utoronto.ca
Office Hours:
Wednesdays: 2 - 3PM
Fridays: 10 - 11AM
In addition to these hours, you have are invited to call or email for an appointment. You also have a hunting license: any time you find me, if I have time I will be pleased to answer your questions.
As discussed in class, to do well in Physics, more than most courses, requires regular effort. Three hours of study each and every week for 5 weeks is more effective than 15 hours of study in one day. In order to help you keep up, we typically have two assignments that are due every week.
Below the letters MP indicate an assignment delivered with MasteringPhysics software.
| What | Due |
|---|---|
Pre-Course Assessment Quiz (MP) |
Friday September 16 at 5PM |
Pre-Class Quiz #1 (MP) |
Monday September 19 at 10AM |
Problem Set #1 (MP) |
Friday September 23 at 5PM |
Pre-Class Quiz #2 (MP) |
Monday September 26 at 10AM |
Problem Set #2 (MP) |
Friday September 30 at 5PM |
Pre-Class Quiz #3 (MP) |
Monday October 3 at 10AM |
Problem Set #3 (MP) |
Friday October 7 at 5PM |
Pre-Class Quiz #4 (MP) |
Wednesday October 12 at 10AM |
Problem Set #4 (Written) |
Friday October 14 at 5PM |
Pre-Class Quiz #5 (MP) |
Monday October 17 at 10AM |
Problem Set #5 (MP) |
Friday October 21 at 5PM |
Pre-Class Quiz #6 (MP) |
Monday October 24 at 10AM |
 Problem Set #6 (MP) |
Friday October 28 at 5PM |
Test |
Tuesday November 1 at 6PM |
PHY138 Home Page: http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/undergraduate/PHY_138Y_Winter/front_page.htm
Lab Home Page: http://www.upscale.utoronto.ca/PHY110_138Lab.html
STORM for Checking Marks and Tutorial Group Assignments: http://www.storm.utoronto.ca/PHY138Y1Y/student/
biome: the life science meeting place: http://www.biome.utoronto.ca/index.htm
ActivPhysics for simulations: http://www.aw-bc.com/knight
MasteringPhysics for Pre-Class Quizzes and Problem Sets: http://www.masteringphysics.com/
Getting the latest Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com
Getting the latest Flash player: http://www.macromedia.com/