UNIVERSITY OF THE W I T W AT E R S R A N D, J O H A N N E S B U R G

School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

APPM2023
Mechanics II
2023

Course Outline
1 Course Overview
The purpose of the course is to introduce the methods of Lagrangian Mechanics to second year Applied Mathematics
students. The aim of this course to develop in students: a conceptually sound understanding of an important
area of theoretical mechanics, namely the formulation due to Lagrange; and an appreciation for the power of
mathematical abstraction, and the appropriate rewriting of mathematically stated laws. This forms the basis for
broad generalisations of the ideas of theoretical mechanics and, in turn, forms the basis for large parts of theoretical
physics and mathematical modeling.

2 Staff Members
Instructor: Mr. Warren Carlson
Room Number: MSB 106
Email: [email protected]

Course Coordinator: Dr. Walter Mudzimbabwe

Room Number: MSB 101
Email: [email protected]

Departmental Secretary: Ms. Kebadiretse Mosiane

Room Number: MSB 101

3 Schedule
There will be one weekly double period lecture session followed by a single period tutorial/recitation/discussion
session. The lecture schedule is tabulated below

Venue: MTP, D.J. du Plessis Building, West Campus

Times: Thursday Period 6, 7, & 8 14 : 15 − 17 : 00

This schedule will continue for 13 weeks in the first semester. This schedule will repeat in the second semester.
Thus a total of 26 (90 minutes) lecture periods and 14 (45 minutes) tutorial periods. This may be updated if the need
arises.
Course notes shall be uploaded to the course e-learning website after each topic has been discussed in class,
and are posted at the instructors discretion. Additional material shall be posted to the course e-learning website
site during the semester. This material is supplementary to the material that is presented in class. It is students
responsibility to download study materials and supporting files from the course website and work through before

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tests and consultations. Students are strongly encouraged to work through the exercises given in the study material,
both independently and in groups.

4 Consultation
There shall be 15 minutes after each class for consultation. In addition, there shall be one open consultation
session per week on Wednesday during lunch hour. Should a student find it necessary to consult outside of this
open consultation time, then that student is kindly requested to make an appointment. The consultation schedule
tabulated below.

Venue: MSB 106

Times: Wednesday Lunch Hour 13 : 15 − 14 : 00

It is imperative that students bring evidence of an attempt of the queried work to the consult. The onus is on the
student to consult with the instructor regularly and not only during test week.
Students should post questions on the course discussion forums on the Mechanics II course website page. These
forums shall be monitored during the course of each week. The instructor and tutors shall post answers to the
questions raised on the forums. Students should post questions to the forum for the corresponding lecture and/or
topic. Since many students may have similar questions, it is important to check the forums for answers before posting
new questions or contacting the instructor directly.
Students are encouraged to participate in the discussion forums and, where possible, attempt to answer questions
posted by other students. Each student can earn up to a maximum of two percent (2%) bonus added to their final
course grade for participating in the discussion forums by either asking instructive and relevant questions or by
posting correct and useful answers. Low value questions or answers, or questions and answers that do not add
positively to the topic discussion are excluded from earning credit. The determination for adding extra credit shall be
made at the end of the course and is at the discretion of the instructor.

5 Course Content and Outcomes

The purpose of the course is broadly twofold:

1. Develop a conceptually sound understanding of an important area of theoretical mechanics, namely the
formulation due to Lagrange. This forms the basis for broad generalisations of the ideas of theoretical mechanics.
These in turn form the basis for large parts of theoretical physics, and the theory of differential equations and
mathematical modelling.

2. Develop an appreciation for the power of mathematical abstraction, and the appropriate rewriting of
mathematically stated laws.

The following material shall be covered in this course.

1. Topic: Generalised Coordinates, Transformations and System descriptions.

Outcomes: To identify and distinguish mathematically equivalent system descriptions and infer the
corresponding geometry and topology of the associated problem an solution spaces for a given system.

2. Topic: Lagrange’s Formulation of Mechanics.

Outcomes: To be able to formulate the Lagrangian formulation of system dynamics, taking in to account
constraints. To be able to understand and demonstrate the mathematical equivalence of different models.

3. Topic: Rigid Body Mechanics

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 Outcomes: To understand the consequences of modelling a macroscopic object with finite size and particular
shape, which can experience both translational and rotational motion. To solve for motion of rigid bodies
and account for centre of mass and moment of inertia.

The following special topics may also be covered in this course.

1. Topic: Symmetries and Conservation Laws

Outcomes: To be able to identify symmetries in a system and generate the associated conversation laws. Use
symmetries of a Lagrangian to determine solutions to the equations of motion.

2. Topic: Generalised Mechanical Oscillation

Outcomes: To solve the generalised simple harmonic oscillator. This is an important mathematical application,
and appears in various guises in applications as diverse as structural engineering and fundamental theories
for describing elementary particles.

Each individual topic may share common ideas with another. As such the collection of outcomes, while having no
single outcome that is achieved entirely upon completion of any single topic, is listed below:

1. Identify and describe constraints present in simple mechanical systems, using words and equations of
constraint.

2. Construct sensible generalised coordinates which directly accommodate the constraints.

3. Calculate expressions for: generalised components of forces, kinetic and potential energy in terms of generalised
coordinates, centres of mass, moments of inertia.

4. Solve the equations of motion in simple cases.

5. Derive problem-specific versions of Lagrange’s equations of motion in terms of generalised coordinates.

6. Analyse key features of equations of motion even when a complete solution cannot be obtained.

7. Identify special cases of equations of motion when additional constraints are imposed, and generalise them
when constraints are relaxed.

Individual sections will repeat these, and add more detailed specific outcomes as appropriate.

6 Assessment
Assessments will be set that will require the student to show a thorough knowledge of applying the theoretical material.
The relevant topics to be covered in the assessments will be made known to the students timely manner. There will be
two major tests (120 minutes), and two assignments, and a mid-year examination (180 minutes) in the first semester.
Similarly, there will be two major tests (120 minutes), and two assignments, and a final examination (180 minutes) at
the end of the second semester. Tests shall take place during hours allocated for class. All material covered during
class and the tutorial/recitation/discussion is explainable. Provisional assessment dates are listed below (Please note
that these dates, times and venues are to be confirmed).

Assignment Due Date

Assignment 1 17:00, Friday, 16 March 2023
Assignment 2 17:00, Friday, 12 May 2023
Assignment 3 17:00, Friday, 11 August 2023
Assignment 4 17:00, Friday, 29 September 2023

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 Class Test Date Venue
Class Test 1 Thursday, 30 March 2023 Flower Hall, Ground Floor, West Campus
Class Test 2 Thursday, 25 May 2023 Flower Hall, Ground Floor, West Campus
Class Test 3 Thursday, 24 August 2023 Flower Hall, Ground Floor, West Campus
Class Test 4 Thursday, 12 October 2023 Flower Hall, Ground Floor, West Campus

The date of the mid-year and final exams will be posted by the Examinations’ Office. Examinations will take place
during the November 2023 examination period. The examination shall be a hand written test. The course work will
count 50% toward the final grade. The examinations will count 50% toward the final grade. The final course grade is
made up as follows.

Continuous Assessment: 50%

Assignments: 25%
Class Tests: 25%
Examination: 50%
Mid-Year: 25%
Final: 25%

7 Queries and Issues

General curriculum queries, and registration amendments should come to the course coordinators. If a students has
a problem then that student should first speak to the instructor. Unresolved issues can then be taken to the course
coordinators. Students must use their Wits email account for all queries.

8 Communication
Important notices and communications are posted via email through

Moodle: https://courses.ms.wits.ac.za/moodle/course/view.php?id=312

Additionally, course material, results and other communications are also posted to this service. Each student should
check these site frequently so as not to miss any communications.
Each student has been assigned a unique Wits student email address upon registration. Students should ensure
that push notifications are enabled on their student email. Alternatively, each student should check their email
account at least twice a day during the morning and evening. An assumption is made that any communication sent
to official student Wits email account has been received, read, acknowledged and accepted by that student.

9 Lectures, Tutorials and Laboratory Sessions

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all lectures, in order to maximise preparedness for the tests and the
examinations. It is important to attend lectures because there will be exercises done in class as practice for tutorials.
Discussion during class is encouraged, and is often insightful and beneficial for your understanding.
There are also weekly supervised tutorial/laboratory sessions. A tutorial session is an opportunity to provide
guidance to students with regard to answering tutorial exercises. The sessions are dedicated hours spent in the
laboratory to hone in on, and test computational skills.
The best way to learn the techniques taught in Computational and Applied Mathematics is through practice.
Students are strongly encouraged to work through the exercises given in the study material, both independently

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and in groups. Private study, whether individually or in a group, is highly recommended to supplement the formal
lectures and course notes.

10 Due Performance Requirements

In order to pass APPM2023 Mechanics II, a student must achieve an overall final grade of more than 50%. A grade of
50% is constituted as a pass for APPM2023 Mechanics II. Please consult the Computational and Applied Mathematics
General Undergraduate Course Outline or the Faculty Science for further clarification on the outcome decision codes.
The above information serves as official notice of the rules and regulations for obtaining a credit for APPM2023
Mechanics II. No special adjustments or leniency will be granted in respect of these rules, except for special
circumstances which are at the discretion of the Head of School and the Faculty.

11 Missed Formal Assessments

Should a student miss an assessment due to illness or for any other legitimate reason, then that student has a
three (working) day grace period to provide a “Missed Work” form and a valid doctor’s certificate or other relevant
documentation (death certificate, etc.). These documents must be submitted to the “Missed Work” assignment on the
course website. The certificates are sent to the Faculty office and the doctor may be contacted to verify the certificate.
If a student is found to have submitted a fraudulent documentation, then that student will face the appropriate
disciplinary action as set out by the University. In the case of Religious Holidays or Traditional Ceremonies, affected
students need to inform the instructor well in advance so that alternate arrangements can be made. Should a student
have sporting events scheduled during test time, than student must make alternate arrangements or provide the
relevant documentation from the their coach or club. Vacations, weddings or any other social activities will not be
allowed as a valid excuse for missing an assessment.
It is the responsibility of each student to report absenteeism from assessments to the instructor. Students that are
absent from an assessment without a valid reason or are unable to provide the appropriate documentation, shall will
receive a zero grade for that assessment. If this documentation is approved, the student will then be afforded an
opportunity take a deferred test, at a time determined by the instructor, within one week of the originally scheduled
test. Should the student miss the deferred test, then a zero grade shall be awarded.

12 Examinations
Examinations will take place during the June and November examination periods. Students must consult the
timetable made available online for the relevant information regarding times, dates and venues. Should a student
be absent from the any examination, and that student produces a valid doctor’s certificate, that student might be
permitted to write a deferred examination, as approved by the Faculty. Should a student be eligible for a deferred
examination, that student shall write during the time set aside for deferred examinations.
The Faculty requires that students apply for deferred exams within three (working) days of the missed assessment
(see Rules and Syllabus page 23). The onus is on the student to inform the Faculty office with regards to their
application for a deferred examination in a timely manner. It is not the responsibility of the School if a student fails
to submit the relevant forms for a deferred examination or hands in a late or incomplete application.
The Faculty shall decide which students are eligible for a supplementary or deferred examinations. The instructor
does not grant supplementary or deferred examinations. The dates of deferred and supplementary examinations are
published by the Examinations’ Office. Students shall be notified by the Faculty when final results are released.

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13 Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic honesty should be strictly practised by all students. Copying, communicating, or using unauthorised
materials during an examination, test, or assignment is cheating. Students caught cheating on a test or examination
will receive an zero grade for the course and will be reported to the university legal office. Academic integrity is a
more complicated issue for programming assignments and is taken seriously in the school. Students naturally want
to work together, and it is clear they learn a great deal by doing so. Getting help is often the best way to find and
interpret errors in understanding an calculations. All students caught cheating on an assessment (both the copier
and the provider) will receive an automatic zero for that assignment. No excuses, no discussions, no exceptions! The
university rules regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism can be found at

• http://libguides.wits.ac.za/plagiarism_citation_and_referencing/plagiarism_policy.

14 Conduct and Etiquette

Students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct at all times.

Respect: It goes without saying that instructors, course coordinators, all members of academic and administrative
staff, as well as your fellow students should be treated with the utmost of respect at all times. Any student who
fails to uphold such conduct will be dealt with effectively, and, depending on the severity, will face disciplinary
action.

Email etiquette: Email is often the most effective and useful form of communication in any professional
environment. Please adhere to good email etiquette at all times. For more on email etiquette, please see the
links below:

• http://kysu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EtiquetteSkills.pdf
• https://www.netmanners.com/193/10-e-mail-etiquette-resolutions/

Students are expected to communicate via email on their assigned Wits email address, only. Any email correspondence
sent via personal email accounts will receive strictly no replies. Any email correspondence not in compliance with
email etiquette receive strictly no replies.

15 Textbooks and Recommended Reading

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. The handed out material will cover all required coursework. However,
you are encouraged to make use of the library for additional resources. The following books are recommended for
further reading to supplement lectures and notes:

• Harold Jeffreys, Cartesian Tensors, Cambridge University Press (1931)

• D.E. Bourne and P.C. Kendall, Vector Analysis and Cartesian Tensors, CRC Press (1992)

• Jerry B. Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Academic Press (2013)

• Murray R. Spiegel, Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Theoretical Mechanics: With an Introduction to
Lagrange’s Equations and Hamiltonian Theory, McGraw Hill (1967)

• Dare A. Wells, Schaums Outline of Theory and Problems of Lagrangian Mechanics, Tata Mcgraw Hill (1967)

The Geo-Maths library has ample resources for your perusal. More mechanics books, besides those listed above, are
available. None of them is perfect for our course but they can be consulted on an ad-hoc basis. The most important
activity in this course is not reading, but grappling with example problems. Anyone who works out all the problems in

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the problem book will master the material. The book by Jeffreys and the book by Boure and Kendall cover introductory
material on the mathematical formalism of vector analysis and tensor algebra. The book by Marion is a classic, and
gives a solid theoretical description of Classical Dynamics. The book by Spiegel covers basic theoretical mechanics
with lots of examples. The Lagrangian Mechanics section is brief, but it makes the key points. Rigid body motion, an
important part of our course, is dealt with in detail. This course is somewhat like a much simplified version of parts
of the book by Wells, which, as it stands, is written for a sophisticated audience, including professional scientists and
engineers. There is a much more material on the internet which covers specific topics, or demonstrates solutions to
particular problems.

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