Course title
3100400Q1
Fundamental Mechanics 1

INOUE Yoshiyuki
Middle-level Diploma Policy (mDP)
Program / Major mDP Goals
Mechatronics Course DP-1・3・1 自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Purpose of class
Physics forms the foundation of science and engineering, and mechanics is one of its most basic fields, dealing with familiar phenomena of motion. In Fundamental Mechanics 1, students study the mechanics of particles, especially the motion of a single-particle system, and learn the basic principles of mechanics. They also acquire the ability to handle Newton’s equations of motion using calculus, understand the difference between conservative and non-conservative forces, and understand the concepts of work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and the law of conservation of energy, so that they can apply them to concrete problems.
Course description
Mechanics is one of the most fundamental fields in physics and deals with familiar phenomena involving motion and force. It also serves as a foundation for many areas of science and engineering. In Fundamental Mechanics 1, the main subject is the mechanics of a particle, especially the motion of a single-particle system. Students learn the basic principles of mechanics and study how the motion of an object is determined by the forces acting on it, such as gravitational force, universal gravitation, friction, elastic force, and tension. Although many of the topics have already been introduced in high school physics, this course treats them more systematically by using calculus, vectors, and simple differential equations. Through this course, students also develop the ability to apply basic mathematics to concrete physical problems. The course is mainly conducted face-to-face, but online participation or on-demand materials may also be used when necessary. In such cases, students will be informed in advance.
Goals and objectives
  1. Students will be able to understand the relationships among position, velocity, and acceleration for a particle by using calculus and vectors, and to describe and analyze motion quantitatively.
  2. Students will be able to identify the forces acting on a particle, formulate Newton’s equations of motion, and solve them. They will also be able to solve simple equations of motion expressed as differential equations and derive the corresponding motion.
  3. Students will be able to understand the difference between conservative and non-conservative forces, and solve problems involving work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and the law of conservation of mechanical energy.
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

Assignments in Class Midterm Examination Final Examination Total.
1. 10% 15% 10% 35%
2. 10% 10% 15% 35%
3. 10% 5% 15% 30%
Total. 30% 30% 40% -
Evaluation method and criteria
Assignments in class 30%, midterm examination 30%, and final examination 40% will be used for the overall evaluation. Assignments in class will be evaluated through short exercises, quizzes, or reports related to each class. The midterm and final examinations will evaluate students’ understanding of the basic concepts covered in class and their ability to solve problems in mechanics appropriately by using those concepts.

A total score of 60% or higher is required to receive credit. A score of 60% means that the student understands the basic contents covered in the course and is able to solve fundamental problems related to the description of particle motion, the formulation and solution of equations of motion, and work and the law of conservation of energy.

In addition, this course is coordinated with the “Learning Support Room.” Depending on the level of understanding, study in the “Learning Support Room” may be required in order to earn credit. Details will be explained in the first class.
Language
Japanese
Class schedule

Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1. - A brief diagnostic test on high school mechanics and mathematics
- Guidance on the course and explanation of how to use Teams
- What are physics and mechanics?
- Units and significant figures
Preparation: Read Chapter 0 of the textbook and review the basics of calculus and vectors from high school mathematics.
Review: Organize the basic ideas of mechanics, units, and significant figures discussed in class.
190minutes
2. - Position, velocity, and acceleration in one-dimensional motion
- Relationship between motion and calculus
Preparation: Read Sections 1.1-1.4 of Chapter 1 of the textbook.
Review: Organize the relationships among position, velocity, and acceleration, and solve basic problems.
190minutes
3. - Position, velocity, and acceleration in two- and three-dimensional motion
- Uniform circular motion
- Basics of plane polar coordinates
Preparation: Read Section 1.5 of Chapter 1 of the textbook.
Review: Solve basic problems on two- and three-dimensional motion and uniform circular motion.
190minutes
4. - Various forces
- Gravitational force and universal gravitation
- Friction, elastic force, and tension
Preparation: Read Sections 2.1-2.3 of Chapter 2 of the textbook.
Review: Organize the properties of various forces and practice drawing force diagrams.
190minutes
5. - Composition and decomposition of forces
- Newton’s laws of motion
- Relationship between force and motion
Preparation: Read Section 2.4 of Chapter 2 of the textbook.
Review: Confirm how to formulate equations of motion and solve basic problems for a single-particle system.
190minutes
6. - Motion under various forces
- Uniform circular motion and centripetal force
- Applications of equations of motion
Preparation: Review the relevant parts of Chapters 1 and 2 of the textbook.
Review: Solve exercises from Chapters 1 and 2 and deepen your understanding of equations of motion and circular motion.
190minutes
7. - Momentum and equations of motion
- Impulse
- Action-reaction law
- Conservation of momentum
- Mathematical preparation for differential equations
Preparation: Read Sections 3.1-3.2 of Chapter 3 of the textbook.
Review: Organize the contents of Classes 1 to 7 and review for the midterm examination.
190minutes
8. - Midterm examination
- Review of the examination
Preparation: Study for the examination.
Review: Solve the midterm problems again and organize the parts that were not sufficiently understood.
190minutes
9. - Solving equations of motion with ordinary differential equations
- Treatment of motion with initial conditions
- Motion in a resistive medium
Preparation: Read Sections 3.3-3.5 of Chapter 3 of the textbook.
Review: Solve basic problems involving elementary differential equations and motion with resistive forces.
190minutes
10. - Hooke’s law
- Simple harmonic motion
- Equation of motion for simple harmonic motion
Preparation: Read Section 3.6 of Chapter 3 of the textbook.
Review: Organize the basic equations of simple harmonic motion and solve problems deriving solutions from equations of motion.
190minutes
11. - Second-order linear ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients
- Damped oscillation
- Complex numbers and Euler’s formula
Preparation: Read Sections 4.1-4.4 of Chapter 4 of the textbook.
Review: Organize the basic formulas of damped oscillation and explain the difference between damped and simple harmonic motion.
190minutes
12. - Work and power
- Kinetic energy
- Relationship between work and energy
Preparation: Read Section 5.1 of Chapter 5 of the textbook.
Review: Organize the relationship between work and kinetic energy and solve basic problems.
190minutes
13. - Conservative and non-conservative forces
- Potential energy
Conservation of mechanical energy
- Review exercises for the final examination
Preparation: Read Sections 5.2-5.4 of Chapter 5 of the textbook.
Review: Review the contents of Classes 9 to 13 and prepare for the final examination.
190minutes
14. Final examination Preparation: Review the entire contents of Fundamental Mechanics 1.
Review: Revisit the contents covered in the final examination and organize the basic topics of mechanics.
190minutes
Total. - - 2660minutes
Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.
ways of feedback specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in the class - Questions during class will be handled in the classroom for face-to-face sessions and via Teams for online sessions.
- Feedback outside class will be provided regularly through Teams. Please check Teams notifications when they arrive.
Textbooks and reference materials
Butsurigaku Kiso (Basic Physics), 5th Edition, Yasuo Hara, Gakujutsu Tosho Shuppan, 2,400 yen + tax. Chapters 0 through 5 correspond to the contents of this course. Other relevant reference materials and books will be introduced in class as needed.
Prerequisites
Completion of Mechanics I is desirable. It is also recommended that students review the basics of high school physics and calculus before taking this course.
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
  • Questions and consultations are accepted at any time by e-mail or via the designated online form.
Regionally-oriented
Non-regionally-oriented course
Development of social and professional independence
  • Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
  • Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
  • Non-social and professional independence development course
Active-learning course
More than one class is interactive
Course by professor with work experience
Work experience Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
N/A N/A
Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals
  • 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
  • 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Last modified : Wed Apr 01 04:03:39 JST 2026