View Specification DocumentMathematics 3Q: Mechanics MATHS3020
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Mathematics and Statistics
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 3 (SCQF level 9)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
The aim of this course is to study the motion of a single particle, including central forces, conservation of energy and motion relative to a rotating frame of reference.
Timetable
12 x 1hr lectures and 10 x 1hr tutorials in a semester.
Requirements of Entry
Maths 2A, 2B and 2D at grade D3 or above.
Combined GPA of 9.0 or above on the three courses Maths 2C, Maths 2E and Maths 2F.
Full details of the requirements for a designated degree can be found in the University Calendar.
Excluded Courses
Mechanics of Rigid and Deformable Bodies (??)
Assessment
90% Examination, 10% Coursework.
Main Assessment In: April/May
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
The aim of this course is to extend the work on the basic two-dimensional motion of particles covered in Mathematics 2C. Topics covered are:
1. Conservative forces.
2. Motion under the action of a central force.
3. Motion relative to a rotating frame of referenece.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Formulate and solve the equations of motion for a point particle in a central force field.
2. Determine under what conditions circular orbits in central force-fields exist and determine their stability when they exist.
3. Determine whether a given force field is conservative or not and calculate a potential in the case of conversative force fields.
4. Deduce results about the motion of point particles on smooth axisymmetric surfaces.
5. State and apply the rotating axes theorem to deduce expressions for velocity and acceleration in an accelerating reference frame.
6.Formulate and solve the equations of motion for point particles in rotating frames of reference, for example projectile motion near the surface of the Earth.