Course
PH1 A
Term
Spring 2026
Schedule
Tue / Thu Lecture + Fri Recitation
Lessons
0
Course overview
We open with rigid body mechanics, covering moments of inertia, rotational dynamics, plane motion, and gyroscopic effects. From there we move into fluid mechanics (statics, Bernoulli, viscosity, Reynolds number, turbulence), then vibrations and waves (SHM, damping, the wave equation, superposition, interference, Doppler). If time allows, the course closes with special relativity: the relativity principle, Lorentz transformations, and relativistic mechanics.
- Build rotational mechanics properly: moment of inertia, angular momentum, plane motion, and precession before moving on.
- Cover fluids and waves with enough mathematical depth that the results are derivable, not just memorized.
- Finish with special relativity so you see where Newtonian mechanics breaks down and what replaces it.
Weekly rhythm
- Read the lesson page first and work through the examples in order.
- Open the linked alternate video only if you want a second explanation or a different pace.
- Do the exercises, then recitation or lab immediately after the notes so the ideas turn into practice.
- Attempt the homework last, without jumping straight to solutions.
Course themes
- Rigid body mechanics: moment of inertia, rotation laws, plane motion, and gyroscopic precession.
- Fluid mechanics: statics, ideal fluids, Bernoulli's equation, viscous flow, Reynolds number, and the laminar-turbulent transition.
- Vibrations and waves: simple harmonic motion, damped and forced oscillation, the wave equation, superposition, interference, group velocity, and the Doppler effect.
- Special relativity (time permitting): the relativity principle, Lorentz transformation, and relativistic mechanics.
Prerequisites & corequisites
No prerequisites.
- Corequisite: MCE A (Mathematical Thinking and Python)
- Corequisite: MA1 A (Applied Linear Algebra)
- Corequisite: MA1 B (Calculus I)
Course direction
The course is teaching you to model physical systems mathematically, derive results from first principles, and recognize when those principles stop applying.
References
Outside notes, textbooks, or course pages worth keeping around.