Mechanics and Special Relativity

(First in a three-part series: PHYSICS 61, PHYSICS 71, PHYSICS 81.) This course covers Einstein's special theory of relativity and Newtonian mechanics at a level appropriate for students with a strong high school mathematics and physics background, who are contemplating a major in Physics or Engineering Physics or are interested in a rigorous treatment of physics. Postulates of special relativity, simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, the Lorentz transformation, causality, and relativistic mechanics. Central forces, contact forces, linear restoring forces. Momentum transport, work, energy, collisions. Angular momentum, torque, and moment of inertia in three dimensions. Damped and forced harmonic oscillators. Uses the language of vectors and multivariable calculus. In order to register for this class students either must have already taken an introductory Physics class (20, 40, or 60 sequences) at Stanford or have taken the Physics Placement Diagnostic at https://physics.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduate-students/placement-diagnostic. Recommended prerequisites: Mastery of mechanics at the level of PHYS 41 or equivalent, e.g. a score of 5 on the AP Physics C Mechanics and AP Calculus BC tests. Corequisite: MATH 51 or MATH 61CM or MATH 61DM.